The Last Waltz

The Last Waltz is the name of The Band's final concert, the Martin Scorsese documentary film about the concert, and the album of the concert.

Related Topics:
The Band - Martin Scorsese

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The Band, consisting of Levon Helm on drums, Rick Danko on bass, Garth Hudson on organ, Richard Manuel on keys, and Robbie Robertson on guitar, had been touring for 16 years before deciding to disband.

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They held their final concert at Winterland in San Francisco, and made rock music history by compiling one of the most extensive lineups of prominent guest performers at a single concert.

Related Topics:
Winterland - San Francisco

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Held on Thanksgiving, November 26, 1976, the audience was fed turkey dinner and there was ballroom dancing prior to the show. Bill Graham promoted and staged the evening's events.

Related Topics:
Thanksgiving - November 26 - 1976 - Bill Graham

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Guest musicians who performed with The Band included:

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• Ronnie Hawkins
• Dr. John
• Bobby Charles
• Neil Young
• Neil Diamond
• Joni Mitchell
• Paul Butterfield
• Muddy Waters
• Eric Clapton
• Van Morrison
• Bob Dylan
• Ringo Starr
• Ron Wood

The Band also performed songs without guests, and informal jams also took place. Poets Michael McClure and Lawrence Ferlinghetti gave readings.

Related Topics:
Michael McClure - Lawrence Ferlinghetti

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Scorsese?s film was released in 1978, and featured concert footage interspersed with interviews of the band, as well as an original score written by Robertson, and additional studio performances of The Band featuring The Staples Singers and Emmylou Harris.

Related Topics:
1978 - The Staples Singers - Emmylou Harris

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Rob Reiner's appearance and interview style in his mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap is widely believed to be a reference to the way Martin Scorsese conducted interviews in The Last Waltz.

Related Topics:
Rob Reiner - This Is Spinal Tap - The Last Waltz

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The officially released LPs were marked by heavy overdubbing and resequencing; collectors have circulated an original line recording of the concert as a more accurate document of the event. In 2002, an edition of the concert was released on a 4-CD box set and a sonically enhanced DVD-Audio edition.

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The Last Waltz: External links ►