The Band ended their incredible career with a famous concert called “The Last Waltz” on Thanksgiving Day, 1976, in San Francisco. By that time, they were already well-known for backing Bob Dylan, playing at Woodstock, and releasing two classic albums: Music from Big Pink (1968) and The Band (1969).
Stephen Lewis’s book, Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band, shows how important each member of the group was. The Band was made up of Robbie Robertson (guitar), Levon Helm (drums and lead vocals), Rick Danko (bass and violin), Garth Hudson (keyboards and saxophone), and Richard Manuel (piano and organ).
Richard Manuel died by suicide in 1986 at age 42. By then, The Band had lost much of its fame, playing in smaller venues, and Manuel was struggling with alcohol and drugs again. Lewis’s book doesn’t focus much on these sad final years. Instead, it celebrates Manuel’s life and his music.
A great rock biography makes you feel close to the music, and Lewis’s book does this very well. It tells stories of Manuel singing famous songs like “I Shall Be Released” and “The Shape I’m In.” The book helps readers understand what Manuel thought and felt during important moments in the band’s history. For example, it describes him walking near Overlook Mountain, where he found peace and creative inspiration.
One of the best parts of the book takes us inside the recording studio during Music from Big Pink. It explains how Manuel’s soft, wordless singing in the song “The Weight” adds a special touch. His voice blends with others but stands out too, especially in the chorus when he sings a long, emotional “meeee.” This makes the song unforgettable.
Stephen Lewis’s biography is a beautiful tribute to Richard Manuel. It shows how The Band was truly a group where every member mattered, and how Manuel’s unique voice helped make their music timeless.
