Richard Manuel His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band
Produktdetaljer
Om bidragsyterne
Stephen T. Lewis has been writing about rock and roll for over 20 years and is a self-proclaimed music geek. He operates talkfromtherockroom.com. He graduated from SUNY Brockport with a degree in English / creative writing. Stephen and his wife, Amiee, live in Rochester, New York.Richard was a dear friend, a great singer and songwriter, and a key member of the greatest rock band that ever played.
- Eric Clapton, guitarist and singer-songwriter,
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!<br />
- Bill Payne, co-founder and keyboardist with Little Feat,
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.'
- Corky Laing, drummer with Mountain,
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' <em>Richard Manuel </em>deserves serious attention. It fills a
major gap in our understanding.
- Dennis McNally, author of A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead,
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.
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Official biography. Richard Manuel estate endorsed biography.
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In-Depth Musical and Historical Context: The book provides thoughtful research and analysis, placing Manuel’s troubled yet inspired spirit within a rich musical and historical framework. 400 pages with 90 images.
- Expert Commentary and New Interviews: Manuel’s compositions and performances are critiqued with expert commentary, featuring new interviews with family, friends, and fellow musicians like Eric Clapton and Van Morrison.
- Journey from Stratford, Ontario, to Woodstock, New York, and Beyond: Trace Manuel’s journey from his first band, the Revols, to singing with the Hawks, and his profound influence on the Band's evolution into Americana music.
- Distinctive Songwriting and Instrumentation: Celebrates Manuel’s songwriting in classics like “Tears of Rage” and “We Can Talk,” and his keyboard work, which added funkiness to the Band’s unique sound.
- Legacy amid Personal Struggles: Acknowledges Manuel’s battles with addiction and inner turmoil while celebrating his immeasurable contributions to music, ensuring that his voice and artistry endure.