CBS ‘Sunday Morning’ Profiles Robbie Robertson Of The Band

Last month, The Band guitarist Robbie Robertson issued his long-awaited memoir, Testimony. Robertson spoke with Anthony Mason for a fantastic feature that aired today on CBS’s Sunday Morning.

Robbie talked about his roots and the origins of The Band. He recalls the night he stopped at the studio as Bob Dylan was recording “Like A Rolling Stone” and how The Band (at the time The Hawks) were recruited to be his backing group. The guitarist went on to talk about The Band’s move to Woodstock and the genesis of The Basement Tapes and Music From Big Pink. Robertson picked up his guitar at points of the feature and explains how “The Weight” came together and also tinkles with “The Night The Drove Old Dixie Down,” a song he said he hadn’t played since The Last Waltz a little over 40 years ago.

Mason goes on to bring up The Band’s move to Los Angeles and the role drugs played in the group’s decision to say farewell. Robbie discussed The Last Waltz and the feature included portions of a 2007 interview with Levon Helm in which The Band drummer airs his frustrations about the concert. The piece ends with Robertson talking about Helm’s final moments and how they were finally able to put the bitterness behind them. Watch the feature: