Ronnie Hawkins was a hill billy musician from Arkansas, who played in Toronto, Levon Helm was part of his band. Ronnie hired Robbie to play guitar when Robbie was only 15 or 16, Robbie wrote 2 songs for Ronnie. Later Ronnie hired Rick, Richard and Garth. They stayed with Ronnie for a few years, then became the back up band for Bob Dylan, and eventually went out on their own as The Band. They split up after 16 years, because drugs took over, Rick, Richard and Levon were doing heroin, Robbie became the caretaker of the group. Robbie had enough of being on the road, he had a young family (3 small children by 1975) he felt if they stayed on the road something bad would happen, somone would get killed. Rick had already had a serious car accident broke his neck and back, Levon and Richard, especially Richard had their share of car accidents.

The more you learn about these guys, the more you’ll want to learn, they’re a fascinating crew. Masters of their craft.

Ronnie Hawkins, a proudly Canadian transplant from Arkansas, was largely responsible for creating Toronto's original rock music scene. He passed away last year at age 87. He nurtured many an artist on their way up (often at least partly thanks to him). He literally put the Band together, mentoring them and eventually allowing them to leave him to start backing his good friend, Bob Dylan, when Dylan switched from folk to rock. The Hawk's first hit singles were in the 1950s and he knew everybody (like the original Eddie Veddor!). He played with everybody too. He was a great man. PS - Robbie Robertson died earlier this year as well.

Hadn't seen this in ages. Thanks for the reaction. Ronnie and the Band did a spirited raucous version of the famous Bo Diddley tune. The story goes that The Band split up because the guitarist Robbie Robertson had enough of the alcohol and drug abuse within the group.. Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel, the lead vocalist on the 1st song were supposedly strung out on drugs. Manuel eventually committed suicide. It's a shame not only on a personal level but to have those 3 great vocalists in the same band was food for my soul when I was growing up.

They were Ronnie's backup band and they were known as Ronnie and the Hawks.

Ronnie Hawkins basically assembled the guys that would become The Band, before they played with Dylan. He was a big Rockabilly act in Canada.

thank you rory im so happy you enjoyed it :) they were on the road constantly for 16 yrs straight while members were battling addiction and personal demons..robbie wanted out and off the road robbie from an interview for the movie: the road was our school taught us our sense of survival, taught us all we know theres not much left we can really take from the road we've had our share of... or maybe its just superstitious (superstitious in what way?) you know you can press your luck the road has taken a lot of the great ones... hank williams.. buddy hollie.. otis redding.. ..........janis jimi hendrix........ . . ...elvis....(who had just died right before this) its a gaddamn impossible way of life (it is isn't it) no question about it he wasn't wrong i will pass along some ronnie hawkins to checkout email incoming lol blessings ✿♡

Robbie said being on the road as long as they had been was tempting fate. From The Last Waltz, Further on up the Road with Eric Clapton. Guitar solo's from Robbie and Eric are so good!

This was awesome & fun! Thanx bro.

I’ve never turned the channel when The Band came on. I’ve driven across the US with them being my only tapes.Love these guys.There’s a great documentary about their beginning.They were Hawkins backup band when they were kids. They road was killing them and Robertson had a young family he wanted to be with. Garth is now the soul survivor living not far from the house the band shared in upstate NY ☮️

Saw Killers of the Flower Moon and was surprised to see that it was scored by Robbie. Credits began with ‘in memory of Robbie Robertson’

It's a shame you were distracted when Robbie Robertson gave the story about what Ronnie Hawkins said to him as a teenager when he joined his band. "Well son, you won't make much money, but you'll get more pussy than Frank Sinatra".😂

You have to do Further up the Road from the Last Waltz! Eric Clapton and Robbie Robertson duel guitar solo, Know you will love it.

From this same movie you need to do them with Dr John, Eric Clapton and Paul Butterfield. Oh and Joni Mitchell.

Seeing these guys live was a stand out momment.If they were good enough for Dylan,Damn what more ya want.

You just have got to watch the whole movie w/breaks. You’ll get it then. It’s incredible. And if you need more encouragement, it was actually directed by Martin Scorsese.

Someone commented on their split. They split, because Robbie had enough of trying to be the caretaker of 3 guys doing drugs, especially Levon, Rick and Richard, he was exhausted. He became the leader, because he was more comfortable dealing with the press etc. and business aspect of their success. He did drugs as well, but kept it under control. You might want to read Testimony by Robbie Robertson or the biograhpy of The Band "Across the great divide", by Barney Hoskyns.

Wow yeah , amazing 🎸👍 very good👏🏻🤗 thanks Rory , greetings Nala 😘🐶 beautiful

The Band is the BEST. At one point Eric Clapton asked to be in the band but was denied.

The hawk was a legend

The amount of cocaine they did before the concert might have something to do with their happy faces. However, they all loved music and the knew The Last Waltz would be the last time they would play together. It was Robbie's idea to have it filmed. They split up because by this time they had been together for 16 years, the all did drugs, but Levon, Rick and especially Richard had addiction problem. Robbie became the caretaker, he was married with 3 small children and he had, had enough of touring and trying to keep the group going with 3 addicts. there were numerous car crashes and other mishaps. You might want to read Robbie's book Testimony, it is fascinating, also Barney Hoskyns biography of The Band, it provides more of a balanced view. I love all of them, I'm of that generation so I get the drug use, I'm not being judgemental, but I totally understand Robbie's desire to stop touring.

Ronnie Hawkins is the shit man. Check out footage of him doing the moonwalk 20yrs before anyone else. Proper character. 🔥

You should react to crossroads. Robbie Robertson goes back and forth with Eric Clapton

It was the end of the Rock era , amongst other things . The best left the very best until last ...you bet .

No Ronny Hawkins = no The Band

Robbie wrote this song for Richard. Richard had a beautiful voice, but he was self destructive, they all did drugs. Rick, Levon and Richard got into heroin, especially Richard couldn't control it, he was also addicted to alcohol. Shame