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 in Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band Hardcover by Stephen T. Lewis.
A strong but quiet presence in the group, who did very few interviews during his own life, Manuel’s story is brought to the forefront by those who knew him best – many speaking on the record for the first time – including family members, lifelong friends and close musical collaborators (Eric Clapton and Van Morrison among them). Through their words and Lewis’ meticulous research, well-worn second-hand narratives are eschewed for a dynamic portrait of an inspired spirit among his generation’s greatest and most underrated musical innovators.
Within the pages of this first official Richard Manuel biography are stories from his earliest days as a teenage blues obsessive, leading The Revols (his first band) to ascendant heights in Canada – into the crucial artistic viewpoint (and revered singing voice) he brought to The Hawks and The Band; as well as the pivotal roles he played in moments that defined an era – like Bob Dylan “going electric,” Woodstock and of course The Last Waltz. Lewis also offers many never-heard insights into Manuel’s later years, including his unwavering passion for creating with those closest to him (and renewed songwriting output) as he battled addiction and personal demons in his final days.
Listen to a playlist of the music that most deeply inspired Manuel – and additional context on those songs from Stephen T. Lewis – via the author’s Talk From The Rock Room podcast here.
