I just finished reading the book "This Wheel's On Fire, Levon Helm and the Story of the Band" by Levon Helm with Stephen Davis, this book came out in 1993.
This was a great read about the Band, and how Kevon got his start by playing drums for the legendary Ronnie Hawk, playing mostly in Canada and Arkansa. While playing in the Hawks, Levon and Ronnie met the other four members that made up The Band in Canada, them being Garth Hudson,Robbie Robertson,Rick Danko and Richard Manuel. After some enticing, all these guys would end up with the Hawks only to finally disband and start up their own band, called The Band that got there start in Woodstock, NY. Eventually backing up Bob Dylan for a few years and tours.
Something I learned from the book was how little respect Levon ended up having for guitarist Robbie Robertson. Robbie schmoozed it up with their manager Albert Grossman eventually becoming the leader of the band and getting more royalties and song-writing credits then he deserved. Levon never forgave him for that. As well the last concert The Band played that was billed as The Last Waltz performed at the Fillmore was a show that Levon wanted no part of right from the begining. Levon had no intentin of disbanding, but eventually did do the show, much to his chagrin.
Of course the book also has the stories of the drugs and alcohol battles. Stories of musicians he had met and performed with. All and all an interesting read.
It was just over a year ago that Levon Helm passed away. RIP Levon Helm.
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