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Encyclopedia > The Last Waltz

The Last Waltz

Movie poster for the 2002 limited re-release.
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Produced by Robbie Robertson
Starring Rick Danko
Levon Helm
Garth Hudson
Richard Manuel
Robbie Robertson
Music by The Band
Cinematography Michael Chapman
Editing by Jan Roblee
Yeu-Bun Yee
Distributed by MGM
United Artists
Release date(s) Flag of United States April 26, 1978
Running time 117 min.
Country US
Language English
Official website
All Movie Guide profile
IMDb profile

The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group, The Band, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Billed as a "farewell" concert after 16 years of touring,[1] The Band was joined by more than a dozen special guests, including Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters and Neil Young. Image File history File linksMetadata LastWaltzMoviePoster. ... Martin Luciano Scorsese (born November 17, 1942) is an iconic, critically acclaimed American film director. ... Jaime Robert Robertson (born July 5, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a songwriter, guitarist and singer, best known for his membership in The Band. ... Richard Clare Rick Danko (December 29, 1942-December 10, 1999) was a Canadian musician and singer, probably best known as a member of The Band. ... Levon Helm performing in The Last Waltz. ... Eric Garth Hudson (b. ... Richard Manuel (April 3, 1943 – March 4, 1986) was a Canadian musician and songwriter probably best known for his membership in The Band. ... Jaime Robert Robertson (born July 5, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a songwriter, guitarist and singer, best known for his membership in The Band. ... The Band was an influential Canadian-American rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. ... Michael Chapman (b. ... For alternate meanings of MGM, see MGM (disambiguation). ... The current United Artists logo (a variant was used during the 1980s). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Much like American popular music, American cinema has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The term, rock concert, refers to a musical performance in the style of any one of many genres inspired by rock and roll music. ... The Band was an influential Canadian-American rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. ... Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is an annual one-day holiday to give thanks, traditionally to God, for the things one has at the end of the harvest season. ... November 25 is the 329th (in leap years the 330th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... The Winterland Ballroom, often simply referred to as Winterland, was an old ice skating rink and 5,400 seat music venue in San Francisco, California. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... A classical music concert in the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 2005 A concert is a live performance, usually of music, before an audience. ... The famous Clapton is God graffiti Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born March 30, 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer and composer, who is one of the most respected and influential musicians of the 20th century[1], garnering an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and... Essential Neil Diamond album cover. ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a noted Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter. ... who this nigga ... Richard Starkey, MBE (born 7 July 1940 in Liverpool), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer and actor, best known as the drummer of the Beatles. ... McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician and is generally considered the father of Chicago blues. ... Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and film director who grew up during his teen years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ...


The event was filmed by director Martin Scorsese and made into a documentary, released in 1978. The film features concert performances, scenes shot on a studio soundstage and interviews by Scorsese with members of The Band. The film was released on DVD in 2002. A triple-LP soundtrack recording also was issued in 1978, and a four-CD box set of the concert and related studio recordings was released in 2002. Martin Luciano Scorsese (born November 17, 1942) is an iconic, critically acclaimed American film director. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... // Events February 1 - Bob Dylans film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the Rolling Thunder Revue tour premieres in Los Angeles, California March 1 - Charlie Chaplins coffin is stolen from a Swiss cemetery 3 months after burial March - Leigh Brackett completes the first draft for Star Wars Episode... The Last Waltz was the 1978 soundtrack to the film of the same name, documenting the farewell concert of Canadian-American rockers The Band, which took place at Bill Grahams Winterland Arena on Thanksgiving Day, 1976. ... The box set The Last Waltz is a deluxe re-release of the 1978 album documenting the 1976 concert. ...


The Last Waltz is hailed as one of the greatest concert films ever made.[2] However, it has been criticized by Band drummer Levon Helm, who disagreed with guitarist Robbie Robertson's decision to discontinue touring. He has said the film concentrates too much on Robertson and not enough on other members of The Band.[3] i went a free film from you to wacth ... Levon Helm performing in The Last Waltz. ... Jaime Robert Robertson (born July 5, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a songwriter, guitarist and singer, best known for his membership in The Band. ...

Contents

Film synopsis

Beginning with a title card saying "This film should be played loud!" the concert documentary is an essay on The Band's influences and their career. The group – Rick Danko on bass, violin and vocals, Levon Helm on drums, mandolin and vocals, Garth Hudson on organ and synthesizer, Richard Manuel on piano, percussion and vocals, and guitarist Robbie Robertson as principal songwriter – started out in the late 1950s as a rock and roll band led by Ronnie Hawkins, and Hawkins himself appears as the first guest. The group backed Bob Dylan in the 1960s, and Dylan performs with The Band towards the end of the concert. i went a free film from you to wacth ... Richard Clare Rick Danko (December 29, 1942-December 10, 1999) was a Canadian musician and singer, probably best known as a member of The Band. ... Levon Helm performing in The Last Waltz. ... Eric Garth Hudson (b. ... Richard Manuel (April 3, 1943 – March 4, 1986) was a Canadian musician and songwriter probably best known for his membership in The Band. ... Jaime Robert Robertson (born July 5, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a songwriter, guitarist and singer, best known for his membership in The Band. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... Ronnie Hawkins, born January 10, 1935 in Huntsville, Arkansas, United States, is a pioneering rock and roll musician and cousin to fellow rockabilly pioneer Dale Hawkins. ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ...

Rick Danko performs in the concert with a Gibson Ripper bass.
Rick Danko performs in the concert with a Gibson Ripper bass.

Various other artists perform with The Band: Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison. Genres covered include blues, rock and roll, New Orleans R&B, Tin Pan Alley pop, folk and rock. Further genres are explored in segments filmed later on a soundstage with Emmylou Harris (country) and The Staple Singers (soul and gospel). Image File history File linksMetadata Rickdankolastwaltzstill. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Rickdankolastwaltzstill. ... The Gibson Ripper is a model of electric bass guitar made by Gibson Guitar Corporation. ... McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician and is generally considered the father of Chicago blues. ... Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and one of the earliest Caucasian exponents of the Chicago-originated electric blues style. ... Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and film director who grew up during his teen years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a noted Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter. ... Dr. John is the stage name of Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. ... Essential Neil Diamond album cover. ... The famous Clapton is God graffiti Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born March 30, 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer and composer, who is one of the most respected and influential musicians of the 20th century[1], garnering an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and... who this nigga ... Shahrukh is a bona vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use of the blue notes and a repetitive pattern that typically follows a twelve-bar structure. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... The phrase New Orleans rhythm and blues refers to a type of R&B music from New Orleans, Louisiana, that is characterized by extensive use of piano and horn sections, complex rhythms and celebratory lyrics. ... Tin Pan Alley was the name given to the collection of New York City-centered music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. ... For popular music (music produced commercially rather than art or folk music), see Popular music. ... Folk music, in the original sense of the term, is music by and for the common people. ... Rock is a form of popular music with a prominent vocal melody accompanied by guitar and drums. ... Emmylou Harris, ca. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The Staple Singers were a United States gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Gospel music may refer to the religious music that first came out of African-American churches in the first quarter of the twentieth century or, more loosely, to both black gospel music and to the religious music composed and sung by predominately white Southern Gospel artists. ...


The film begins with The Band performing the last song of the evening, their cover version of the Marvin Gaye hit "Don't Do It", as an encore. The film then flashes back to the beginning of the show and follows it more or less chronologically. The Band is backed by a large horn section and performs many of its hit songs, including "Up on Cripple Creek", "Stagefright" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song. ... Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. ... Encore may be referring to one of the following: Adobe Encore, a software program by Adobe Systems intended for authoring DVDs. ... In literature, film, television and other media, a flashback (also called analepsis) is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. ... In a symphony orchestra the horn section is the group of musicians who play the horn (sometimes referred to as the French horn). ... The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a rock and roll song written by Robbie Robertson and first recorded by The Band in 1969. ...


The live songs are interspersed with the studio segments and interviews with director Martin Scorsese, in which The Band's members reminisce about the group's history. Robertson talks about Hudson joining the band on the condition that the other members pay him $10 a week each for music lessons. The classically trained Hudson could then tell his parents that he was a music teacher instead of merely a rock and roll musician. Robertson also describes the surreal experience of playing in a burnt-out nightclub owned by Jack Ruby. Manuel recalls that some of the early names for The Band included "the Honkies" or "the Crackers". Because they were simply referred to as "the band" by Dylan and their friends and neighbors in Woodstock, New York, they figured that was just what they would call themselves. Martin Luciano Scorsese (born November 17, 1942) is an iconic, critically acclaimed American film director. ... Music education comprises the application of education methods in teaching music. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... For the song Jack Ruby by Camper Van Beethoven, see Key Lime Pie. ... // For other uses, see Cracker. ... Woodstock, New York The name Woodstock is associated with two locales in New York. ...


A recurring theme brought up in the interviews with Robertson is that the concert marks an end of an era for The Band, that after 16 years on the road, it is time for a change. "That's what The Last Waltz is: 16 years on the road. The numbers start to scare you," Robertson tells Scorsese. "I mean, I couldn't live with 20 years on the road. I don't think I could even discuss it." The theme is further explored in the choice of songs Scorsese filmed, "Up on Cripple Creek" for one, which has the line, "this living on the road is getting pretty old."


Origins

The idea for a farewell concert came about early in 1976 after Richard Manuel was seriously injured in a boating accident. Robbie Robertson then began giving thought to leaving the road, envisioning The Band becoming a studio-only band, similar to The Beatles' decision to stop playing live shows in 1966.[4] Richard Manuel (April 3, 1943 – March 4, 1986) was a Canadian musician and songwriter probably best known for his membership in The Band. ... Jaime Robert Robertson (born July 5, 1943 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a songwriter, guitarist and singer, best known for his membership in The Band. ... The Beatles were an English rock band from Liverpool whose members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. ...


Though the other band members did not agree with Robertson's decision, the concert was set at Bill Graham's Winterland Ballroom, where the The Band had made its debut as a group in 1969.[5] Originally, The Band was to perform on its own, but then the notion of inviting Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan was hatched and the guest list grew to include other performers. Cover of Bill Graham Presents Bill Graham (January 8, 1931–October 25, 1991) was a well-known concert promoter, who flourished from the 1960s until his death. ... The Winterland Ballroom, often simply referred to as Winterland, was an old ice skating rink and 5,400 seat music venue in San Francisco, California. ... Ronnie Hawkins, born January 10, 1935 in Huntsville, Arkansas, United States, is a pioneering rock and roll musician and cousin to fellow rockabilly pioneer Dale Hawkins. ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ...


Concert

Multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson at the organ.
Multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson at the organ.

Promoted and organized by Bill Graham, who had a long association with The Band, the concert was an elaborate affair. Starting at 5:00 p.m., the audience of 5,000 was served turkey dinners. There was ballroom dancing with music by the Berkeley Promenade Orchestra. Poets Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Michael McClure gave readings. Image File history File links Garthhudsonlastwaltzscreens. ... Image File history File links Garthhudsonlastwaltzscreens. ... Cover of Bill Graham Presents Bill Graham (January 8, 1931–October 25, 1991) was a well-known concert promoter, who flourished from the 1960s until his death. ... Ballroom dance is a style of partner dance which originated in the western world and is now enjoyed both socially and competitively around the globe. ... Lawrence Ferlinghetti Lawrence Ferlinghetti (born Lawrence Ferling[1] on March 24, 1919) is an American poet who is known as the co-owner of the City Lights Bookstore and publishing house, which published early literary works of the Beats, including Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. ... Michael McClure, an American poet and playwright, was born in Marysville, Kansas on (October 20, 1932). ...


The Band started its concert at around 9:00 p.m., opening with "Up on Cripple Creek", followed by 11 more of its most popular songs, including "The Shape I'm In", "This Wheel's on Fire" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". They were backed by a large horn section with charts arranged by Allen Toussaint and other musicians. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a rock and roll song written by Robbie Robertson and first recorded by The Band in 1969. ... Paul Shaffer (L) and Allen Toussaint on the September 7, 2005 show of The Late Show with David Letterman Allen Toussaint (born January 14, 1938) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer and one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B. In the 1960s and 1970s...


They were then joined by a succession of guest artists, starting with Ronnie Hawkins. As The Hawks, The Band served as Hawkins' backing band in the 1950s. Dr. John took a seat at the piano for his signature song, "Such a Night". He then switched to guitar and joined Bobby Charles on "Down South in New Orleans. Ronnie Hawkins, born January 10, 1935 in Huntsville, Arkansas, United States, is a pioneering rock and roll musician and cousin to fellow rockabilly pioneer Dale Hawkins. ... Dr. John is the stage name of Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. ... Bobby Charles promotional photo, ca. ...


A blues set was next with harmonica player Paul Butterfield, Muddy Waters, pianist Pinetop Perkins and Eric Clapton. As Clapton was taking his first solo on "Further on Up the Road", his guitar strap came loose. Clapton said "Hold on," but Robertson picked up the solo without missing a beat. Shahrukh is a bona vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use of the blue notes and a repetitive pattern that typically follows a twelve-bar structure. ... Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and one of the earliest Caucasian exponents of the Chicago-originated electric blues style. ... McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician and is generally considered the father of Chicago blues. ... Pinetop Perkins (born Joe Willie Perkins in 1913) is an American blues musician from Mississippi. ... The famous Clapton is God graffiti Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born March 30, 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer and composer, who is one of the most respected and influential musicians of the 20th century[1], garnering an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and...


Neil Young followed, singing "Helpless" with backing vocals by Joni Mitchell who remained off stage. According to Robertson's commentary on the The Last Waltz DVD, this was so her later appearance in the show would have more of an impact. Mitchell came on after Young and sang three songs, two with the backing of Dr. John on congas. Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and film director who grew up during his teen years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a noted Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter. ... A pair of congas The conga is a tall, narrow, single-headed Cuban drum of African origin, probably derived from the Congolese Makuta drums. ...


Neil Diamond was next, introducing his "Dry Your Eyes" by saying, "I'm only going to perform one song, but I'm going to do it good." Diamond had been invited to perform by Robertson, who wanted the songwriters of Tin Pan Alley to be represented. Essential Neil Diamond album cover. ... Tin Pan Alley was the name given to the collection of New York City-centered music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century. ...


Van Morrison then performed two songs, a special arrangement of "Tura Lura Lural (That's an Irish Lullaby)" as a duet with Richard Manuel and his own showstopper, "Caravan". who this nigga ... Richard Manuel (April 3, 1943 – March 4, 1986) was a Canadian musician and songwriter probably best known for his membership in The Band. ...


Canadians Young and Mitchell were then invited back out to help The Band perform "Acadian Driftwood", an ode to the Acadians of Canadian history. The Band then performed a short set of some more of its songs before Bob Dylan came on stage to lead his former backing band through four songs. Acadians are the original French settlers of parts of the northeastern region of North America comprising what is now the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ...


The Band and all its guests, with the addition of Ringo Starr on drums and Ron Wood on guitar, then sang "I Shall Be Released" as a closing number. Richard Starkey, MBE (born 7 July 1940 in Liverpool), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer and actor, best known as the drummer of the Beatles. ... Ronald David Ron Wood (born June 1, 1947 in Hillingdon, London) is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a member of The Rolling Stones, The Faces and The Jeff Beck Group. ... I Shall Be Released is a 1967 song written by Bob Dylan. ...


Two loose jam sessions then formed. "Jam #1" featured The Band minus Richard Manuel playing with Neil Young, Ron Wood and Eric Clapton on guitar, Dr. John on piano, Paul Butterfield on harmonica and Ringo Starr on drums. It was followed by "Jam #2" with the same personnel minus Robertson and Danko. Stephen Stills, who showed up late, took a guitar solo and Carl Radle joined on bass. A jam session is a musical act where musicians gather and play (or jam) without extensive preparation or predefined arrangements. ... Stephen Stills Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with the Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. ... Carl Radle Carl Dean Radle (born 18 June 1942 Tulsa, Oklahoma, died 30 May 1980) was an American musician, best known for being the bassist in Derek and the Dominos. ...


The Band then came out at around 2:15 a.m. to perform an encore, "Don't Do It". It was the last time the group performed with its classic lineup. It reformed without Robertson in 1983.


Film production

Concert filming

Robertson initially wanted to record the concert on 16 mm film. He recruited Martin Scorsese to direct based on his use of music in Mean Streets. Under Scorsese, the film grew into a full-scale studio production with seven 35 mm cameras. Martin Luciano Scorsese (born November 17, 1942) is an iconic, critically acclaimed American film director. ... Mean Streets (1973) is an early Martin Scorsese film starring Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro. ...


The cameras were operated by some of the most respected cinematographers in the film industry, including Michael Chapman (Raging Bull), Vilmos Zsigmond (Close Encounters of the Third Kind), and László Kovács (Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces). The stage and lighting were designed by Boris Leven, who had been the production designer on such musical films as West Side Story and The Sound of Music. With Bill Graham's assistance, the set from the San Francisco Opera's production of La traviata was rented as a backdrop for the stage. Crystal chandeliers were also hung over the stage. Michael Chapman (b. ... Raging Bull is a 1980 film directed by Martin Scorsese, and written by Paul Schrader, and Mardik Martin. ... Vilmos Zsigmond (born June 16, 1930) is a Hungarian-American cinematographer. ... This article is about the film; for the classification, see Close encounter. ... This article is about the cinematographer. ... Easy rider is an arcane United States slang expression whose meaning has varied with time. ... Five Easy Pieces is a 1970 film written by Carole Eastman (as Adrien Joyce) and Bob Rafelson, and directed by Rafelson. ... The musical film is a film genre in which several songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative. ... West Side Story is a 1961 film directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. ... Rodgers and Hammersteins The Sound of Music is a 1965 film directed by Robert Wise and starred Julie Andrews in the lead role. ... Cover of Bill Graham Presents Bill Graham (January 8, 1931–October 25, 1991) was a well-known concert promoter, who flourished from the 1960s until his death. ... San Francisco Opera (SFO) is the second largest opera company in North America. ... La traviata, an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, takes as its basis the novel La dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils, published in 1848. ... Theatrical scenery is that which is used as a setting for a theatrical production. ... A chandelier in the U.S. vice presidents ceremonial office in the Old Executive Office Building on the White House grounds. ...


Scorsese meticulously storyboarded the songs, setting up lighting and camera cues to fit the lyrics of the songs. But despite his planning, in the rigors of the live concert setting, with the loud rock music and the hours spent filming the show, there were unscripted film reloads and camera malfunctions. It was not possible for all songs to be covered. At one point, all the cameras except László Kovács' were shut down as Muddy Waters was to perform "Mannish Boy".[6] Kovács, frustrated by Scorsese's constant instructions, had removed his communications headset earlier in the evening and had not heard the orders to stop filming.[7] As Scorsese frantically tried to get other cameras up, Kovács was already rolling and able to capture the iconic song by the blues legend. "It was just luck," Scorsese recalled in the DVD documentary, The Last Waltz Revisited.[6] Storyboard for a James Bond Movie Storyboards are graphic organizers such as a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of previsualizing a motion graphic or interactive media sequence. ... McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician and is generally considered the father of Chicago blues. ... Headphones (also known as earphones, earbuds, stereophones, headsets, or by the slang term cans) are a pair of transducers that receive an electrical signal from a media player or receiver and use speakers placed in close proximity to the ears (hence the name earphone) to convert the signal into audible...

Robbie Robertson plays a Fender Stratocaster he had bronzed especially for the concert.
Robbie Robertson plays a Fender Stratocaster he had bronzed especially for the concert.[8]

Image File history File links RobbieR.png‎ Robbie Robertson in a screenshiot from The Last Waltz Source: promo screenshot found at http://theband. ... Image File history File links RobbieR.png‎ Robbie Robertson in a screenshiot from The Last Waltz Source: promo screenshot found at http://theband. ... The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as Strat, is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender in the early 1950s, and manufactured continuously to the present. ...

Dylan's refusal

While Bob Dylan had agreed to perform in concert, he did not want his appearance filmed because he feared it would detract from his own film project Renaldo and Clara.[9] Warner Bros. had agreed to finance the project with the understanding that Dylan would be involved in the film and soundtrack. Backstage negotiations took place during an intermission.[10] Robertson assured Dylan that the concert film's release would be delayed until after his film. Promoter Bill Graham was also involved in the talks. "Somebody working with Bob said 'We're not filming this.' And Bill just said, 'Get out of here, or I'll kill you'," Robertson is quoted as saying the liner notes of the 2002 album re-issue. "It all worked out."[9] Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ... Renaldo and Clara is a surrealist movie, by and starring Bob Dylan. ... Warner Bros. ... Cover of Bill Graham Presents Bill Graham (January 8, 1931–October 25, 1991) was a well-known concert promoter, who flourished from the 1960s until his death. ...


Post-concert production

Following the concert, Scorsese filmed for several days on an MGM studio soundstage, with The Band, The Staple Singers and Emmylou Harris. Interviews with group members were conducted by Scorsese at The Band's Shangri-La Studio in Malibu, California. Additionally, Robertson composed The Last Waltz Suite, parts of which were used as a film score. For alternate meanings of MGM, see MGM (disambiguation). ... The Staple Singers were a United States gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. ... Emmylou Harris, ca. ... The Malibu pier near the famous Surfrider Beach Dawn in the Santa Monica Mountains The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in central Malibu The Paradise Cove pier in Malibu Malibu is a city located in western Los Angeles County, California, United States. ... A film score is the music in a film, generally written for the film and often used to heighten emotions provoked by the imagery on the screen or by the dialogue. ...


Due to Scorsese's commitments to work on New York, New York and another documentary, American Boy: A Profile of Steven Prince, the film's release was delayed until 1978. For other uses, see New York, New York (disambiguation). ... // Events February 1 - Bob Dylans film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the Rolling Thunder Revue tour premieres in Los Angeles, California March 1 - Charlie Chaplins coffin is stolen from a Swiss cemetery 3 months after burial March - Leigh Brackett completes the first draft for Star Wars Episode...


During the editing process, Scorsese and Robertson became friends, and frequently collaborated on further projects, with Robertson acting as music producer and consultant on Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, The Color of Money, Casino and Gangs of New York. Raging Bull is a 1980 film directed by Martin Scorsese, and written by Paul Schrader, and Mardik Martin. ... The King of Comedy is a 1983 film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Robert De Niro. ... The Color of Money was a 1984 novel by American writer Walter Tevis, continuing the story of Fast Eddie Felson from The Hustler (1959). ... Casino is a 1995 movie directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the book of the same name by Nicholas Pileggi and Larry Shandling. ... Gangs of New York is a 2002 film set in the middle 19th century in the Five Points district of New York City. ...


In an interview after the concert Scorsese and Danko are speaking together in his studio. The song that Rick plays for them is "Sip The Wine" off of his 1977 album Rick Danko (album). Rick Danko was the 1977 eponymous debut by the bassist and singer for The Band. ...


Drug use

Scorsese has admitted that during this period, he was using cocaine heavily.[11] Drugs were present in large quantities during the concert. Backstage, a room was painted white and decorated with noses from plastic masks while an audio tape of sniffing noises played in the background. A large blob of cocaine hanging from Neil Young's nose was edited out in post-production through rotoscoping.[10][12] Cocaine (or crack in its impure freebase form) is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. ... Inhalation is the movement of air from the external environment, through the airways, into the alveoli during breathing. ... Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and film director who grew up during his teen years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... Rotoscoping is a technique where animators trace live action movement, frame by frame, for use in animated films. ...


Reception

Critical reception

The film has been hailed critically, listed among the films considered the greatest ever. Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Wilmington calls it "the greatest rock concert movie ever made – and maybe the best rock movie, period."[2] Terry Lawson of the Detroit Free Press comments that "This is one of the great movie experiences."[12] Total Film considers it "the greatest concert film ever shot."[13] On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a 97% (fresh) rating with just one negative review, from Janet Maslin of The New York Times.[14] She states that it "articulates so little of the end-of-an-era feeling it hints at ... that it's impossible to view The Last Waltz as anything but an also-ran."[15] Music critic Robert Christgau gives the soundtrack a "B+", saying "the movie improves when you can't see it." He praises the blues numbers by Muddy Waters and Paul Butterfield, the horn arrangements by Allen Toussaint, and the "blistering if messy" guitar duet by Robertson and Eric Clapton.[16] While it is impossible to objectively determine the greatest film of all time, it is possible to list films considered the greatest ever. ... The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois. ... Along with The Detroit News, the Detroit Free Press is one of the two major metro Detroit newspapers. ... Total Film, published by Future Publishing, is the United Kingdoms second best-selling film magazine, after the longer-established Empire from Emap. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Janet Maslin is a book critic for the daily New York Times. ... The New York Times is a newspaper published in New York City by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. ... Robert Christgau (sometimes abbreviated in print to Xgau), born April 18, 1942, is an American essayist, music journalist, and rock critic. ... In the United States, grading is done with several different systems. ... Shahrukh is a bona vocal and instrumental form of music based on the use of the blue notes and a repetitive pattern that typically follows a twelve-bar structure. ... McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician and is generally considered the father of Chicago blues. ... Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and one of the earliest Caucasian exponents of the Chicago-originated electric blues style. ... Paul Shaffer (L) and Allen Toussaint on the September 7, 2005 show of The Late Show with David Letterman Allen Toussaint (born January 14, 1938) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer and one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B. In the 1960s and 1970s... The famous Clapton is God graffiti Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born March 30, 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer and composer, who is one of the most respected and influential musicians of the 20th century[1], garnering an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and...

Singing drummer Levon Helm performs "Don't Do It," the encore number.
Singing drummer Levon Helm performs "Don't Do It," the encore number.

Image File history File linksMetadata Levonhelmlastwaltzscreenshot. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Levonhelmlastwaltzscreenshot. ...

Criticism by Levon Helm

Levon Helm, in his 1993 autobiography This Wheel's on Fire, expresses serious reservations about Scorsese's handling of the film, claiming the film makes The Band look like Robbie Robertson's sidemen. He states that Robertson, who is depicted singing powerful backing vocals, was actually singing into a microphone that was turned off throughout most of the concert, and that much of the soundtrack was overdubbed. Levon Helm performing in The Last Waltz. ... This Wheels on Fire is the autobiography of actor and musician Levon Helm, focusing on his career as a member of the rock group The Band. ...


He complains about Manuel's and Hudson's minimal screen time, such as when Manuel sings during the closing number "I Shall Be Released", but Manuel is hidden behind the phalanx of guest performers. There are several shots catching Ronnie Hawkins looking around but not singing, yet Manuel remains invisible. However, during the same segment, in the background, it appears that a cameraman is attempting to get a shot of Manuel at the piano but gives up due to technical problems or the impossibility of the shot.[3] I Shall Be Released is a 1967 song written by Bob Dylan. ...


DVD release

For the concert's 25th anniversary in 2002, the film was remastered and a new theatrical print was made for a limited release to promote the release of the DVD and four-CD box set of the film soundtrack. It opened in San Francisco's Castro Theatre,[10] with the release later expanded to 15 theaters.[17] Castro Theatre in San Francisco, California. ...


The DVD features a commentary track by Robertson and Scorsese, a featurette, Revisiting The Last Waltz, and a gallery of images from the concert, the studio filming and the film premiere. A bonus scene is footage of "Jam #2", which is cut short due to the cameras needing to be shut down to cool off after running for more than ten hours straight.


The original 2002 DVD release was packaged as a "special edition." In addition to the extra features on the disc, the Amaray case came in a foil-embossed cardboard sleeve, and inside was an eight-page booklet, featuring a five-page essay by Robertson entitled "The End of a Musical Journey." Also included was a US$5 rebate coupon for four-CD box set. In 2005, the DVD was re-issued with different artwork and stripped of the outer foil packaging, inner booklet and coupon. The disc's contents remained unchanged. Amaray is a leading manufacturer of media cases, such as the keep case commonly used for DVDs. ...


In 2006, The Last Waltz was among the first 20 titles released in Sony's high definition Blu-Ray DVD format. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Generally, high-definition refers to an increase in resolution or clarity such as in: High-definition television (HDTV), television formats that have a higher resolution than their contemporary counterparts High-definition video, which is used in HDTV broadcasting, as well as digital film and computer HD video file formats HDV... Blu-ray discs Blu-ray Disc is a next-generation optical disc format jointly developed by a group of leading consumer electronics and PC companies called the Blu_ray Disc Association (BDA), which succeeds the Blu_ray Disc Founders (BDF). ... DVD (commonly Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound quality. ...


Albums

The Last Waltz logo.
The Last Waltz logo.

The original soundtrack album was a three-LP album released on April 16, 1978 (later as a two-disc CD). It has many songs not in the film, including "Down South in New Orleans" with Bobby Charles and Dr. John on guitar, "Tura Lura Lural (That's an Irish Lullaby)" by Van Morrison, "Life is a Carnival" by The Band, and one more song with Bob Dylan. Image File history File links Lastwaltzlogo. ... Image File history File links Lastwaltzlogo. ... The Last Waltz was the 1978 soundtrack to the film of the same name, documenting the farewell concert of Canadian-American rockers The Band, which took place at Bill Grahams Winterland Arena on Thanksgiving Day, 1976. ... The box set The Last Waltz is a deluxe re-release of the 1978 album documenting the 1976 concert. ... The Last Waltz was the 1978 soundtrack to the film of the same name, documenting the farewell concert of Canadian-American rockers The Band, which took place at Bill Grahams Winterland Arena on Thanksgiving Day, 1976. ... April 16 is the 106th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (107th in leap years). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Bobby Charles promotional photo, ca. ... Dr. John is the stage name of Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. ... who this nigga ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ...


In 2002, a four-CD box set was released, as was a DVD-Audio edition. Robbie Robertson produced the album, remastering all the songs. The set includes 16 previously unreleased songs from the concert, as well as takes from rehearsals. Among the additions are Louis Jordan's "Caldonia" by Muddy Waters, the concert version of "The Weight", "Jam #1" and "Jam #2" in their entirety, and extended sets with Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The box set The Last Waltz is a deluxe re-release of the 1978 album documenting the 1976 concert. ... Louis Jordan swinging on sax, Paramount Theatre, NYC, 1946 (Photo: William P. Gottlieb) Louis Jordan (July 8, 1908 – February 4, 1975) was a pioneering African-American blues, jazz and rhythm & blues musician and songwriter who enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. ... Louis Jordan swinging on sax, Paramount Theatre, NYC, 1946 (Photo: William P. Gottlieb) Louis Jordan (July 8, 1908 – February 4, 1975) was a pioneering African-American blues, jazz and rhythm & blues musician and songwriter who enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. ... McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician and is generally considered the father of Chicago blues. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a noted Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter. ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ...


The soundtrack recordings underwent post-concert production featuring heavy use of overdubbing and re-sequencing. Bootleg collectors have circulated an original line recording of the concert as a more accurate and complete document of the event. It includes songs not available in the film or the official album releases, including "Georgia on My Mind", "King Harvest", the complete "Chest Fever" and the live version of "Evangeline."[18] Les Paul, a pioneer of multi-track recording. ... A bootleg recording (or simply bootleg or boot) is an audio and/or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist, or under other legal authority. ... Georgia on My Mind is a song written by Stuart Gorrell and Hoagy Carmichael; it is the official state song of the U.S. state of Georgia. ...


Performances

Order of performances in film Order of performances in concert[18]
Song title Artist Song title Artist
"Don't Do It" The Band "Up on Cripple Creek" The Band
"Theme from The Last Waltz" "The Shape I'm In"
"Up on Cripple Creek" "It Makes No Difference"
"The Shape I'm In" "Life is a Carnival"
"Who Do You Love" Ronnie Hawkins "This Wheel's on Fire"
"It Makes No Difference" The Band "W.S. Walcott Medicine Show"
Introduction to The Canterbury Tales in Chaucerian dialect Michael McClure "Georgia on My Mind"
"Such a Night" Dr. John "Ophelia"
"Helpless" Neil Young "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)"
"Stagefright" The Band "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down"
"The Weight" (studio version) The Band and The Staple Singers "Stagefright"
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" The Band "Rag Mama Rag"
"Dry Your Eyes" Neil Diamond "Who Do You Love" Ronnie Hawkins
"Coyote" Joni Mitchell "Such a Night" Dr. John
"Mystery Train" Paul Butterfield "Down South in New Orleans" Bobby Charles and Dr. John
"Mannish Boy" Muddy Waters "Mystery Train" Paul Butterfield
"Further on up the Road" Eric Clapton "Caldonia" Muddy Waters
"Evangeline" (studio version) The Band and Emmylou Harris "Mannish Boy"
"Genetic Method"/"Chest Fever" Garth Hudson "All Our Past Times" Eric Clapton
"Ophelia" The Band "Further on up the Road"
"Caravan" Van Morrison "Helpless" Neil Young
"Loud Prayer" Lawrence Ferlinghetti "Four Strong Winds"
"Forever Young" Bob Dylan "Coyote" Joni Mitchell
"Baby Let Me Follow You Down" "Shadows and Light"
"I Shall Be Released" The Band and guests plus Ron Wood and Ringo Starr "Furry Sings the Blues"
Vocalist-keyboardist Richard Manuel at the piano during "Don't Do It."
Vocalist-keyboardist Richard Manuel at the piano during "Don't Do It."
The Band and guests performing "I Shall Be Released". From left, Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Rick Danko, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson.
The Band and guests performing "I Shall Be Released". From left, Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Rick Danko, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson.
"Dry Your Eyes" Neil Diamond
"Tura Lura Lural (That's an Irish Lullaby)" Van Morrison
"Caravan"
"Acadian Driftwood" Neil Young and Joni Mitchell
"Genetic Method"/"Chest Fever" The Band
"Evangeline" (concert version)
"The Weight" (concert version)
"Baby Let Me Follow You Down" Bob Dylan
"Hazel"
"I Don't Believe You"
"Forever Young"
"Baby Let Me Follow You Down" (reprise)
"I Shall Be Released The Band and guests plus Ron Wood and Ringo Starr
"Jam #1" Neil Young, Ron Wood, Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Ringo Starr and Levon Helm
"Jam #2" Neil Young, Ron Wood, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John, Garth Hudson, Carl Radle, Ringo Starr and Levon Helm
"Don't Do It" The Band

The Band was an influential Canadian-American rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. ... The Band was an influential Canadian-American rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. ... Ronnie Hawkins, born January 10, 1935 in Huntsville, Arkansas, United States, is a pioneering rock and roll musician and cousin to fellow rockabilly pioneer Dale Hawkins. ... Canterbury Tales Woodcut 1484 The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century (two of them in prose, the rest in verse). ... Geoffrey Chaucer (c. ... Michael McClure, an American poet and playwright, was born in Marysville, Kansas on (October 20, 1932). ... Georgia on My Mind is a song written by Stuart Gorrell and Hoagy Carmichael; it is the official state song of the U.S. state of Georgia. ... Dr. John is the stage name of Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. ... Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and film director who grew up during his teen years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a rock and roll song written by Robbie Robertson and first recorded by The Band in 1969. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Staple Singers were a United States gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. ... The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is a rock and roll song written by Robbie Robertson and first recorded by The Band in 1969. ... Essential Neil Diamond album cover. ... Ronnie Hawkins, born January 10, 1935 in Huntsville, Arkansas, United States, is a pioneering rock and roll musician and cousin to fellow rockabilly pioneer Dale Hawkins. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a noted Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter. ... Dr. John is the stage name of Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. ... Mystery Train was a 1955 single recorded at SUN studios in Memphis by Elvis Presley, his first Number 1 single, reaching #1 in the Country music chart. ... Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and one of the earliest Caucasian exponents of the Chicago-originated electric blues style. ... Bobby Charles promotional photo, ca. ... McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician and is generally considered the father of Chicago blues. ... Mystery Train was a 1955 single recorded at SUN studios in Memphis by Elvis Presley, his first Number 1 single, reaching #1 in the Country music chart. ... Paul Butterfield (December 17, 1942 – May 4, 1987) was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and one of the earliest Caucasian exponents of the Chicago-originated electric blues style. ... The famous Clapton is God graffiti Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born March 30, 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer and composer, who is one of the most respected and influential musicians of the 20th century[1], garnering an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and... McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician and is generally considered the father of Chicago blues. ... Emmylou Harris, ca. ... Eric Garth Hudson (b. ... The famous Clapton is God graffiti Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born March 30, 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer and composer, who is one of the most respected and influential musicians of the 20th century[1], garnering an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and... who this nigga ... Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and film director who grew up during his teen years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... Lawrence Ferlinghetti Lawrence Ferlinghetti (born Lawrence Ferling[1] on March 24, 1919) is an American poet who is known as the co-owner of the City Lights Bookstore and publishing house, which published early literary works of the Beats, including Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. ... Four Strong Winds is a song written by Ian Tyson in the early 1960s. ... Planet Waves (1974) is an album by Bob Dylan, and was recorded with The Band at Village Recorder in Los Angeles during three different sessions in November 1973. ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a noted Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter. ... I Shall Be Released is a 1967 song written by Bob Dylan. ... Ronald David Ron Wood (born June 1, 1947 in Hillingdon, London) is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a member of The Rolling Stones, The Faces and The Jeff Beck Group. ... Richard Starkey, MBE (born 7 July 1940 in Liverpool), known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician, singer and actor, best known as the drummer of the Beatles. ... Image File history File linksMetadata RichardManuelLastWaltz. ... Image File history File linksMetadata RichardManuelLastWaltz. ... Image File history File linksMetadata LastWaltzGalleryShot. ... Image File history File linksMetadata LastWaltzGalleryShot. ... Essential Neil Diamond album cover. ... who this nigga ... Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and film director who grew up during his teen years in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... Joni Mitchell, CC (born Roberta Joan Anderson on November 7, 1943) is a noted Canadian musician, songwriter, and painter. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Bob Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, author, musician, and poet who has been a major figure in popular music for five decades. ... I Shall Be Released is a 1967 song written by Bob Dylan. ... Ronald David Ron Wood (born June 1, 1947 in Hillingdon, London) is an English rock guitarist and bassist best known as a member of The Rolling Stones, The Faces and The Jeff Beck Group. ...