Richard Manuel
His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band
Checking Availibility...Description
For the first time--in an official biography endorsed by his family--the Band's legendary Richard Manuel's compositions and performances are analyzed with expert commentary while shining a light on his contributions to all of his bands--and on the undeniable impact he had on rock music.
Richard Manuel was a fearless original. Sweetly soulful as a vocalist and endearingly creative as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he was a vital part of some of rock 'n' roll's pivotal moments, including Bob Dylan's controversial move to electric music, Woodstock 1969, and the legendary Last Waltz.
Through thoughtful research and analysis, this book places Manuel's troubled yet inspired spirit within a musical and historical context.
For the first time, Manuel's compositions and performances are critiqued with expert commentary--alongside new interviews with family, friends, and fellow musicians, including Eric Clapton and Van Morrison.
The story traces Manuel's journey from Stratford, Ontario, to Woodstock, New York, and beyond, beginning with his first band, the Revols, then singing the blues with Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson in the Hawks, the group that would later become the Band.
Manuel's influence was profound, his distinctive vocals infusing songs with emotion and depth. His songwriting flourished in classics like "Tears of Rage," cowritten with Dylan, and "We Can Talk." His keyboard work added a lovable funkiness to the Band's sound, blending elements of rock, folk, country, and blues into what would become the genesis of Americana.
Despite the Band's successes, Manuel struggled with personal demons, battling addiction and inner turmoil. Looking beyond his human frailty, this book celebrates Richard Manuel's immeasurable contributions to music, ensuring that memories of his voice and artistry endure.
About this Author
Reviews
Richard was a dear friend, a great singer and songwriter, and a key member of the greatest rock band that ever played.
I love this book! Like a slow blues,
Stephen T. Lewis takes you through every heartbreak, the beer-soaked
floors of juke joints and the sweat-stained clothes from long hours on
stage, Richard Manuel's entire life and the Dickensian cast of
characters he intersected with. His musical descriptions of the bands
Richard played with carry the ring of truth. The stories are endless. I
could not give the book a rest. Absolutely brilliant!
"...the book has made his haunting voice come to life, succeeding in the most difficult of tasks--highlighting the heartbreak of what might have seemed a foregone conclusion."
It's hard to imagine American music in the sixties and seventies without The Band, even though they never quite got the attention and sales they deserved. Yet the country/folk/blues end of rock would not have existed without them. And though other band members got more attention, Richard Manuel's voice and classic blues piano were at the very core of that music. Which is why Stephen Lewis' Richard Manuel deserves serious attention. It fills a major gap in our understanding.
Having spent many a long night with Richard, I believe this book beautifully captures the essence of the brilliant musician to an extraordinary detail--to the point where you can actually hear the words. 'He lived, he breathed, he died with his music.'
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