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Summary: Further Proof That Robbie Robertson Should Die A Slow Death
Review: Levon Helm is probably one of the nicest guys in the world & how he could get caught up with Robbie Robertson who is the most miserable ass that has walked the Earth is still a mystery! Robertson deserves to be tortured for his blatant betrayal of The Band & I mean tortured in such a way that even Death wouldn't be the appropriate exit for his pain!! Read this book & you will see why Danko & Manuel are dead: Because of Robbie Robertson's selfishness & greed! The ironic part is Robertson claims to be a Native American! Sadly, he betrays the morals of this group of people as well!!
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Summary: I am sending three copies of this toThe Backstreet Boys!!!
Review: Levon Helm tells the story of The Band beautifully and sincerely. This is a book about friends more than it is a book about a band. I had always heard that Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson have grown to hate each other. After reading this book I really don't think this is the case. Although Levon sounds a bit angry at times when referring to Robbie (often calling him "Robertson"), his words carry the tone of hurt feelings (of someone who misses one of his best friends) more than they do of anything even remotely close to hatred. This book has all of the great road and recording stories but the best part is the story that is told in between. Imagine a band that lives and creates together for the greater part of thirty some years. It is something that (unfortunately) you don't see anymore (imagine N'sync living in a small house together and writing songs in the basement!!!). Levon Helm had four best friends, three of which he lost to either death or lawyers and Hollywood. This is the story you will hear him tell. If everyone bought a copy of this book and gave it to the youngest musician they know, there might be some hope for the future of popular music.
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Summary: If You're A Fan of The BAND, There's No Doubt...
Review: Levon Helms story of the band is more american history than just a rock and roll war story . he spins a tale that takes you to the delta and all over our world . he is the best rock and roll drummer in the world , i know because he is my drummer , im dad nud of the last hombres featuring levon helm
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Summary: this wheels on fire
Review: Levon Helms story of the band is more american history than just a rock and roll war story . he spins a tale that takes you to the delta and all over our world . he is the best rock and roll drummer in the world , i know because he is my drummer , im dad nud of the last hombres featuring levon helm
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Summary: Oustanding, often hilarious, story of the Hawks and the Band
Review: Levon is a wonderful storyteller and really captivates
with this story that chronicles his life and spans the
early years of rock and roll through the 1970's. A
must for fans of rock from Elvis to Dylan.
Rating: 
Summary: A collection of great memories - just not a complete one
Review: The trouble with autobiographies - especially rock star autobiographies - is that it's entirely too easy for the author to leave out information s/he is uncomfortable with. There is also a risk of turning your memoirs into a case of dirty laundry. Both of these problems surface at some points in this otherwise excellent memoir of one of the best and most fascinating bands of the rock era.There is no doubt that Helm is the genuine article when it comes to rock and roll music. Born in rural Arkansas just before World War II, he grew up in the epicenter of the land and time that spawned the genre. The early chapters, with his accounts of rock's emergence and his early involvement with the new music as a teenager, are among the book's strongest moments. It is, after all, a story that needs to be told, given the fact that the radio and the rock press alike have been ignoring for decades the ongoing influence of the 1950s on post-Beatles rock. You'll never ignore it again after reading Helm's priceless accounts of toiling across the South and Midwest, backing up rockabilly great Ronnie Hawkins. Few others could offer the glimpses of that era that Helm does. The evolution of Hawkins' band from a collection of Arkansas country boys to an all-Canadian (except for Helm) outfit was an unlikely one, but his account humanizes it all remarkably well. There could be more information on the Band's "lean years" - roughly 1963-65 - after their involvement with Hawkins and before Bob Dylan stepped in, and Dylan himself is as enigmatic as ever even in the memory of one who knew him; but then again, this was the least productive stretch of their long career. The background on the recording of their legendary albums from 1968-75 is priceless to anyone who's ever listened to them, as are Helm's tales of Woodstock, Watkins' Glen, and the 1966 British tour with Dylan. Along the way we are treated to stories of all manner of hellraising when the boys weren't in the studio. But that's where the selectivity comes into play. The Band was known in its heyday as one of the wildest bunch of womanizers on the road during its concert tours, but Helm avoids that issue entirely. Additionally, he barely touches on the drug use that also plagued him and his Bandmates in the early '70s, although he doesn't hesitate to detail the transgressions of other rockers, notably Neil Young. Helm has a right to keep all of this to himself, of course, but it does give us an incomplete picture of just what went on. Then there's the Robbie Robertson issue. Helm hadn't been on speaking terms with Robertson for years when he wrote the book, and it shows in his often vicious accounts of the growing divide between Robertson and the others. This results in a glaring imbalance between the well-rounded profiles we get of Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and especially Garth Hudson, who has always been famously shy onstage, and the bitter caricature of Robertson. Some of Helm's criticisms are probably deserved, but it remains a wildly imbalanced account. Helm's biggest grievance, by the way, is his belief that Robertson got more songwriting credit than he deserved. Listen to any of the Band's three 1990s albums (none of which featured Robertson in any way) alongside any of their earlier ones, and it's pretty clear that Robertson deserves most of the credit he's received for their brilliant lyrics. Likewise, Helm's well-documented disdain for "The Last Waltz" might be justified, but the chapter recounting that legendary concert dissolves almost immediately into self-righteous outrage. Too bad, because regardless of any behind-the-scenes ugliness, the surviving recordings of that night are superb. For all those shortcomings, Helm's personal recollections are essential reading for any Band fan. Many of the stories he tells could never be captured by any other writer, and if you're a fan you won't want to miss them. Just don't let this be your only source of information about the Band.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth a read, but please don't take it as the gospel truth
Review: This book is a milestone in the de-evolution of Levon Helm from a well respected rock 'n' roll legend to deluded, bitter old coot. The best parts are his descriptions of his earliest musical career and influences. His narrative of the heydays of The Band is sometimes very entertaining, but contains suprisingly little commentary on the songwriting and recording process. The most noteworthy feature of this book is, of course, its introduction of the alleged Levon-Robbie Robertson feud. The level of bile and animosity he has towards his former partner is disturbing to say the least. People who take this account seriously should realize that Helm himself distanced himself from his anti-Robertson remarks in the subsequent book tour, saying that this was dreamed up by his publisher and co-writer. The parts where his co-writer takes over are very obvious, most noticible when the co-writer writes "Robertson" instead of "Robbie". This tends to undermine the credibility of his whole account. His version of the tragic and pathetic suicide of Band member Richard Manuel is bizzare, to say the least. Helm does not see this as the pitiful act of a man dismayed at the failure of the post-Robertson Band, but as the final defiant act of strong man trying to make a statement. Helm's ability to be reflective and understanding towards the events of his career seem to be totally subsumed in his hatred of Robbie Robertson. This is also shown in his dismissal of THE LAST WALTZ, the greatest concert movie ever made and a beautiful grand finale to The Band's career. Helm hates it, evidently because it's just over his head. I am tempted to mark this rating down another star for bad feelings. It is an entertaining read for the most part, and will be essential reading for any Band fans. But please don't consider it an honest and objective account.
Rating:
Summary: A great book for anyone who wants to read about a real band.
Review: This book tells a story of a band. Not of all the lager than life exploits of a rock'n'roll freakshow, but a band. Levon mentions some adventures here and there, but the story revolves around the creation, life, demise, and rebirth of probably the greatest band in rock history. Some unfortunate istances took place amongst band members, and they caused some bitter dissention, however, the book is honest and interesting. The best musical book I have ever read
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Summary: A different way to look at "The Last Waltz".
Review: This could possibly be the most honest look at The Band's music and history that anyone could ever read. Levons' epic tale is entertaining and touching as he reveals both the good and the bad times of possibly the greatest band in rock history.
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Summary: 'You are there' accounts of on-the-road touring
Review: This Wheel's On Fire provides the story of the Band, with participant Levon Helm using his memoir to tell how the and evolved from Southern rock roots to become a mainstay of American listening. The 'you are there' accounts of on-the-road touring and playing will involve any with a prior appreciation for the Band's performances and talents.
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