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The Band — Stage Fright
Album: Stage Fright
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1571









Released: 1970
Length: 3:39
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid
Who suffered so much for what he did
They gave this ploughboy his fortune and fame
Since that day he ain't been the same

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might
And he got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again

I've got fire water right on my breath
And the doctor warned me I might catch a death
Said, "You can make it in your disguise
Just never show the fear that's in your eyes"

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might
He got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again

Now if he says that he's afraid
Take him at his word
And for the price that the poor boy has paid
He gets to sing just like a bird, oh, ooh ooh ooh

Your brow is sweatin' and your mouth gets dry
Fancy people go driftin' by
The moment of truth is right at hand
Just one more nightmare you can stand

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might
And he got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again, hmm hmm
You wanna try it once again, hmm hmm
Please don't make him stop, hmm hmm
Let him take it from the top, hmm hmm
Let him start all over again
Comments (137)add comment
i love rick's voice. i think this is him singing, isn't it?
 tm wrote:

Rundgren was such a force in the 70s and 80s… Amazing engineer and producer 

YES!  He also produced  "Gone Daddy Gone" by the Violent Femmes!  He actually brought his personal marimba (wooden tines) into the studio & played on the song!
 joejennings wrote:



Thank You for the info.

Rundgren was such a force in the 70s and 80s… Amazing engineer and producer 
 kurtster wrote:

R I P Robbie and thanks for all the tunes.

Just discovered looking up this album that Todd Rundgren was the chief engineer for this album.




Thank You for the info.
R I P Robbie and thanks for all the tunes.

Just discovered looking up this album that Todd Rundgren was the chief engineer for this album.
RIP Robbie
thanks for all the great music
you guys gave us so much.
 SeriousLee wrote:
Stage Fright right after David Bowie Ziggy Stardust Live at L'Olympia - Paris.

{#Clap} Well played, Bill.


Again 02-22-22 Just  when BillG does these live sets.
I just skipped this song and got Peter Tosh singing Johnny B. Goode. Thank you for that skip button, Bill!!!
 westslope wrote:

Good list On_The_Beach.   

Kathleen Edwards is worth an honourable mention.   For better or worse, she is now serving coffee and pastries in Kanata (just west of Ottawa).   Probably better for her; worse for her fans.

Nevertheless, everybody should note that this list applies only to English Canada.  Quebec lives in another dimension and has cranked out some excellent popular music over the years:  Harmonium, Beau Dommage, Michel Rivard, Gilles Vigneault (traditional folklore), and a whole bunch more including Céline Dion.  


Mon dieu, you left out Robert Charlebois---the original Quebec rocker!
No 2 No 2
Good recent interview with Robbie R. on this song and the whole concept of stage fright: https://www.theglobeandmail.co...
 kingart wrote:

Hard to argue with this list or any other, but one honorable mention of music native to Canada might be a band called Lighthouse. As I recall, they were not a big hit in the U.S., but on at least one track, circa 1970 - 71 or so, they out-Chicagoed the work of Chicago/Chicago Transit Authority. One Fine Morning, the hit cut I know, was one hot smoking big-band rock track not dissimilar to early Chicago cuts like Beginnings or 25 or 6 to 4, and I think equal to or better in musical power. 
 
WHAT......NO BTO !!
 kingart wrote:

Hard to argue with this list or any other, but one honorable mention of music native to Canada might be a band called Lighthouse. As I recall, they were not a big hit in the U.S., but on at least one track, circa 1970 - 71 or so, they out-Chicagoed the work of Chicago/Chicago Transit Authority. One Fine Morning, the hit cut I know, was one hot smoking big-band rock track not dissimilar to early Chicago cuts like Beginnings or 25 or 6 to 4, and I think equal to or better in musical power. 
 

Was lucky to have caught the Band both nights S.F. Great American music hall
 below72 wrote:
The most original band since the discovery of the planet Pluto - yeah, Pluto s a planet{#Ask}
 
close, it's technically a "dwarf" planet
Love this song, such great story telling. Fell in love with The Band back in Jr High School and have never stopped. This was one of the very first groups where their music conveyed a emotional connection.  Still holds true today! 
Like the song, but c'mon...take a few more minutes before recording and tune that friggin' bass guitar. Ugh.
 azcarol wrote:
Loved these guys ; saw The Band play this song MANY years ago in Pittsburgh! 

 
Saw them at 3 Rivers early 70's.  Big show,  Clapton was the headliner.  Someone got Clapton in the face with a bottle rocket.  Stopped the show for a little bit.  But he soldiered on.

Pittsburgh and fireworks.  Flipping dangerous idiots.  Remember nearly getting blown up seeing Floyd there for WYWH.  Some idiot in the upper deck above me was dropping H-100's on us.
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

Oh, I did not know this. She's long been a favorite of mine. I realize you are writing in 2015 and it's now 2018 and looking back I see her last album was 2012. I wish her well. I'm glad to read she's just taking a break.

This is like finding out that Lisa Germano, the wonderful guitarist/violinist, is working in a bookshop in California after suffering bouts of debilitating depression. I can only hope she recovers and returns to playing.

 
She has been dipping her toe back in the musical waters and is playing a few shows in the spring and summer, is the good news.
 westslope wrote:

Kathleen Edwards is worth an honourable mention.   For better or worse, she is now serving coffee and pastries in Kanata (just west of Ottawa).   Probably better for her; worse for her fans.
 
Oh, I did not know this. She's long been a favorite of mine. I realize you are writing in 2015 and it's now 2018 and looking back I see her last album was 2012. I wish her well. I'm glad to read she's just taking a break.

This is like finding out that Lisa Germano, the wonderful guitarist/violinist, is working in a bookshop in California after suffering bouts of debilitating depression. I can only hope she recovers and returns to playing.
Party on, Garth.
Simcoe.
 I would add Blue Rodeo onto the list of great Canadian bands.  Harmonium - great addition. ;d westslope wrote:

Good list On_The_Beach.   

Kathleen Edwards is worth an honourable mention.   For better or worse, she is now serving coffee and pastries in Kanata (just west of Ottawa).   Probably better for her; worse for her fans.

Nevertheless, everybody should note that this list applies only to English Canada.  Quebec lives in another dimension and has cranked out some excellent popular music over the years:  Harmonium, Beau Dommage, Michel Rivard, Gilles Vigneault (traditional folklore), and a whole bunch more including Céline Dion.  

 


The most original band since the discovery of the planet Pluto - yeah, Pluto s a planet{#Ask}
Stage Fright right after David Bowie Ziggy Stardust Live at L'Olympia - Paris.

{#Clap} Well played, Bill.
 
 
 it seems to me that it is a stuggle for these guys to sing and play, 
in most of their songs  it sounds like they are thinking "whoa, I don't know if I can do it but I'll try until it hurts"

also on the lists of Canadian artists below no one mentioned Cowboy Junkies, very strange
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Well, hard to disagree with your top 6, but off the top of my head, my list would be :

1. Neil Young
2. Joni Mitchell
3. Leonard Cohen
4. Bruce Cockburn
5. The Band*
6. Gordon Lightfoot
7. Sarah Mclachlan
8. Tragically Hip
9. Daniel Lanois
10. The Guess Who
11. Feist / Kathleen Edwards (honourable mention)

*Levon Helm (RIP) was from Arkansas, but they are generally considered a Canadian band.
Cheers, Lemmoth!

 
Hard to argue with this list or any other, but one honorable mention of music native to Canada might be a band called Lighthouse. As I recall, they were not a big hit in the U.S., but on at least one track, circa 1970 - 71 or so, they out-Chicagoed the work of Chicago/Chicago Transit Authority. One Fine Morning, the hit cut I know, was one hot smoking big-band rock track not dissimilar to early Chicago cuts like Beginnings or 25 or 6 to 4, and I think equal to or better in musical power. 
Loved these guys ; saw The Band play this song MANY years ago in Pittsburgh! 
This version of this song never fails to light up my face!  Rick Danko!!!{#Dancingbanana_2}
That perked me up!

One of my all time favorite bands.  Glad I got to see them in their prime.

 
Not sure this band's music has aged well.
favorite band (excluding the beatles of course)
favorite singer of band with 3 great singers
great album 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Well, hard to disagree with your top 6, but off the top of my head, my list would be :

1. Neil Young
2. Joni Mitchell
3. Leonard Cohen
4. Bruce Cockburn
5. The Band*
6. Gordon Lightfoot
7. Sarah Mclachlan
8. Tragically Hip
9. Daniel Lanois
10. The Guess Who
11. Feist / Kathleen Edwards (honourable mention)

*Levon Helm (RIP) was from Arkansas, but they are generally considered a Canadian band.
Cheers, Lemmoth!

 
Good list On_The_Beach.   

Kathleen Edwards is worth an honourable mention.   For better or worse, she is now serving coffee and pastries in Kanata (just west of Ottawa).   Probably better for her; worse for her fans.

Nevertheless, everybody should note that this list applies only to English Canada.  Quebec lives in another dimension and has cranked out some excellent popular music over the years:  Harmonium, Beau Dommage, Michel Rivard, Gilles Vigneault (traditional folklore), and a whole bunch more including Céline Dion.  
Love this   {#Clap}
 veloman wrote:
Love the Band, although they do have plenty of poor quality recordings but maybe that's part of the appeal. its more about the earthy feel than technical mastery

 
Well put.
It's such a shame that the guitar tuner being used during recording of this song...wasn't working.
 janac13 wrote:
Vale Levon you are sorely missed.
 
Yes he is - as is Rick Danko, who does lead vocal on this.
Vale Levon you are sorely missed.
a classic hit, thanks for playing it and bring back great memories
Love the Band, although they do have plenty of poor quality recordings but maybe that's part of the appeal. its more about the earthy feel than technical mastery
Incredibly - and I mean that in every sense of the word - underrated group of musicians that are rarely mentioned among the greatest.

Amazing sounds from these guys that have had a major and profound influence on the music world.  

That's why they are simply THE BAND!! {#Cheers} 
Miss you Levon!
Never liked this band, absolutely no good melodies-2
 lemmoth wrote:
Okay

A New Yorker's list of the top ten Canadian artists/bands of the last 50 years

1. Neil Young
2. Joni Mitchell
3. Leonard Cohen
4. The Guess Who
5. K. D. Lang
6. Gordon Lightfoot
7. Steppenwolf
8. Alanis Morisette
9. Rush
10. Bare Naked Ladies

Help me Canada
 
Well, hard to disagree with your top 6, but off the top of my head, my list would be :

1. Neil Young
2. Joni Mitchell
3. Leonard Cohen
4. Bruce Cockburn
5. The Band*
6. Gordon Lightfoot
7. Sarah Mclachlan
8. Tragically Hip
9. Daniel Lanois
10. The Guess Who
11. Feist / Kathleen Edwards (honourable mention)

*Levon Helm (RIP) was from Arkansas, but they are generally considered a Canadian band.
Cheers, Lemmoth!
One of The Band's best.
 Gajdzin wrote:

With The Band it's like with Grateful Dead: either you get it, or you don't.

 
Good point. I respect this band and understand why many like it or rather 'get it'. I suppose I don't...but that's ok. It is far better than much of what the music industry produces these days. At the time of this recording and many like it...there was a true genuine musicianship that you don't hear too often anymore. So...with that being said...this actually is pretty good.
 Stratocaster wrote:
Two Canadian acts in the last 30 minutes, love it.

(Alannah Myles and The Band).

I like this song because it lacks the muddy sound of most of their material.  It gets a 7. 

 
Okay

A New Yorker's list of the top ten Canadian artists/bands of the last 50 years

1. Neil Young
2. Joni Mitchell
3. Leonard Cohen
4. The Guess Who
5. K. D. Lang
6. Gordon Lightfoot
7. Steppenwolf
8. Alanis Morisette
9. Rush
10. Bare Naked Ladies

Help me Canada


 bobcerm3 wrote:
For those of you that may not know. The legendary musician 'Todd Rundgren' engineered 'The Band's' classic 'Stage Fright' cd!

NOW will you play more Rundgren on Radio Paradise? Come on RadioParadise get with the program and play more

'TODD RUNDGREN'!
 
Love The Band

A brilliant kind of sloppiness, like Big Star

And YES - Some choice Todd Rundgren tunes would be fantastic 
I guess you could say that the Canadian band, "The Band", had no real roots in the USA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Band

 

kcar wrote:

Americana rock. Amazing that both groups and CCR sounded as if they came from parts of the US where they had no real roots. 

 



My favorite song by this er.. The Band.
 Gajdzin wrote:

With The Band it's like with Grateful Dead: either you get it, or you don't.

 
Americana rock. Amazing that both groups and CCR sounded as if they came from parts of the US where they had no real roots. 
My favorite version of this is from the Before the Flood (live w/ Dylan), Love the whole album, actually.
 katiediddler wrote:
This is a 9. The Last Waltz version is a 12. RIP Rick Danko.

 
On the Last Waltz (which I have literally seen over 100 times, believe it,), you can see Rick Danko crying as he is singing this.  Goddam Robbie Robertson for breaking up this institution.
 Sweet_Virginia wrote:

Part of their genius. If you listen carefully this is a very tight band.
 
Exactly, who know how to bend time well. Precision grinding ( and grooving) with a tolerance fit.
 ziakut wrote:
I really don't care for this sloppiness.
 
With The Band it's like with Grateful Dead: either you get it, or you don't.
 ziakut wrote:
I really don't care for this sloppiness.
 
Part of their genius. If you listen carefully this is a very tight band.
Great segue from that live version of "Ziggy Stardust"
I really don't care for this sloppiness.
 
RobRyan wrote:
I teeter on the brink of bumping my 9 to a 10 every time this song comes on. I try to restrict my 10s as it leaves no room for something higher. This is about a 9.99 though.
 
I just did bump it up to 10 after hearing it. Follow your instincts!
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

Coolness - wish I had seen this a week or so ago, there was a whole box full of reel-to-reel tapes at the local Goodwill store, mostly rock from the early and mid-70s. I was tempted to buy it but my SO has a "no new junk unless you cart out some of the old junk" so I left it sitting on the shelf. Sigh. If you are just up the road, it would have made a fine road trip to deliver.
 
I'm not to far from there. There are never any tapes at the GW and SA here. They dont even have records anymore.
 RobRyan wrote:
I teeter on the brink of bumping my 9 to a 10 every time this song comes on. I try to restrict my 10s as it leaves no room for something higher. This is about a 9.99 though.
 
 

 DaveInVA wrote:
 
Coolness - wish I had seen this a week or so ago, there was a whole box full of reel-to-reel tapes at the local Goodwill store, mostly rock from the early and mid-70s. I was tempted to buy it but my SO has a "no new junk unless you cart out some of the old junk" so I left it sitting on the shelf. Sigh. If you are just up the road, it would have made a fine road trip to deliver.
Two Canadian acts in the last 30 minutes, love it.

(Alannah Myles and The Band).

I like this song because it lacks the muddy sound of most of their material.  It gets a 7. 

sad tape-to-tape is sad:

 
DaveInVA wrote:

 


fun insights - thanks!

 
peter_james_bond wrote:

Bobcerm3 is right but it's not the whole story. I've copied this directly from Allmusic Guide and I apologize for it's length but I think it shows the importance of production and mixing to recording:

If you think you know Stage Fright, take a closer look at this CD. The usual procedure for audiophile releases is to use the original released master of the album. DCC and producer Steve Hoffman did something different with Stage Fright, however, going back to an alternate mix that was prepared at the time of the album's completion. The group turned copies of the multitrack tapes from the Stage Fright sessions over to the album's producer, Todd Rundgren, and to engineer Glyn Johns, whom they'd met at the Isle of Wight Festival, and asked each to prepare a mix. According to one account, the album released in 1970 consisted of seven songs prepared by Rundgren and three Johns tracks, but it's also been claimed that the Johns mixes were all that were used (that fits with the credits of the original album). Hoffman and DCC went back to the mixes — apparently those by Rundgren — that weren't used, coming up with a version of the album that's completely different in every detail from the LP or other CD reissues from Capitol. The songs sound more raw, more "live" in the studio, and far more interesting than the relatively flat, smooth versions on the original album. The singing has a raw, immediate quality, and both the singing and playing have lots of wrong (but honest) notes that were buried in the official mix — all of the material is different and, one has to say, better, making this worth the $30 list price. This version of Stage Fright puts it much closer in content and spirit to Music From Big Pink and The Band, which preceded it. And the sound is really good, too, with extraordinarily close, vivid textures on "Strawberry Wine," "The Shape I'm In," "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show," "Daniel and the Sacred Harp," and the title track.

 


My favorite Band song.

I teeter on the brink of bumping my 9 to a 10 every time this song comes on. I try to restrict my 10s as it leaves no room for something higher. This is about a 9.99 though.
 Deadwing wrote:
Is it just me or does this sound horribly compressed?   /makes sad face
 
That is why I like to get my hands on old CD's when they just ripped the masters.

I can do a better job tweeking them myself in many cases.  Once through an industry remaster effort its impossible to do anything.  They are forever screwed up.

 lsfeder wrote:
Meh... I wanted this song to end as soon as it started.
 
agreed
This is a 9. The Last Waltz version is a 12. RIP Rick Danko.

 Papernapkin wrote:

And it seems to be getting older and moldier.
 
dude
change those skivvies every once in awhile
dude

Not one of their best, ven if off a greatest hits album.
 RobRyan wrote:
Pretty surprised at The Band hating.
 
Sorry, I really don't hate "The Band"!  I am just really, really tired of this song.
Pretty surprised at The Band hating.
I prefer the version on the last waltz.
Meh... I wanted this song to end as soon as it started.
 gregormiz wrote:
We don't need to start that one Over again... Best to let it rest for a long while.

 
{#Roflol}


We don't need to start that one Over again... Best to let it rest for a long while.

Still a 10 after all these decades...{#Music}
 peter_james_bond wrote:

The older the violin, the sweeter the music!
 

Augustus McRae ftw!        {#Bounce}
Is it just me or does this sound horribly compressed?   /makes sad face
Hey Bill need some Levon Helm "Dirt Farmer"
 Papernapkin wrote:
And it seems to be getting older and moldier.
 
The older the violin, the sweeter the music!
 Shesdifferent wrote:
I think I woke up too early this morning Too many moldy oldies in this set.
 
And it seems to be getting older and moldier.
 bobcerm3 wrote:
For those of you that may not know. The legendary musician 'Todd Rundgren' engineered 'The Band's' classic 'Stage Fright' cd! NOW will you play more Rundgren on Radio Paradise? Come on RadioParadise get with the program and play more 'TODD RUNDGREN'!
 
Bobcerm3 is right but it's not the whole story. I've copied this directly from Allmusic Guide and I apologize for it's length but I think it shows the importance of production and mixing to recording:

If you think you know Stage Fright, take a closer look at this CD. The usual procedure for audiophile releases is to use the original released master of the album. DCC and producer Steve Hoffman did something different with Stage Fright, however, going back to an alternate mix that was prepared at the time of the album's completion. The group turned copies of the multitrack tapes from the Stage Fright sessions over to the album's producer, Todd Rundgren, and to engineer Glyn Johns, whom they'd met at the Isle of Wight Festival, and asked each to prepare a mix. According to one account, the album released in 1970 consisted of seven songs prepared by Rundgren and three Johns tracks, but it's also been claimed that the Johns mixes were all that were used (that fits with the credits of the original album). Hoffman and DCC went back to the mixes — apparently those by Rundgren — that weren't used, coming up with a version of the album that's completely different in every detail from the LP or other CD reissues from Capitol. The songs sound more raw, more "live" in the studio, and far more interesting than the relatively flat, smooth versions on the original album. The singing has a raw, immediate quality, and both the singing and playing have lots of wrong (but honest) notes that were buried in the official mix — all of the material is different and, one has to say, better, making this worth the $30 list price. This version of Stage Fright puts it much closer in content and spirit to Music From Big Pink and The Band, which preceded it. And the sound is really good, too, with extraordinarily close, vivid textures on "Strawberry Wine," "The Shape I'm In," "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show," "Daniel and the Sacred Harp," and the title track.

Clean lines, not over-produced, real music . . .{#Notworthy}
That's one hell of a bench.
Not my favorite track from the Band, but it's palatable. DO see the remastered Last Waltz DVD...it's phenomenal!
the interview parts in the the Last Waltz movie with rick danko and especially Richard are painful to watch and listen to because they were so drunk and stoned. I'm a huge fan though. Have every cd and the book that levon helm wrote, "This Wheels on Fire" The books title was a song that Danko co-wrote with Dylan. The song made Danko rich because some british sitcom used it for their theme song and it became a huge hit in the UK. It's in the book. Worth getting your hands on and reading. even if your not a fan of the Band. skindy wrote:
I agree with modesto mike -- can't think of anything by The Band that I don't like. Studio recordings and "The Last Waltz" stuff, mind you... I saw them play in their mid-90s incarnation, and I swear they (especially Danko) were falling-down drunk. Really disappointing that they would do that for a paying crowd... the music quality really suffered. But back when they were healthier (and alive!) they were fantastic...
I dunno my favorite Band song is It Makes No Difference. That song is heartbreaking.
Rickvee wrote:
When Danko's voice comes in, wow ...... music doesn't get much better than that.
Yeah, Rick is salt to Richard Manuel's honey voice. A great contrast.
Nice song....pretty nice sound...good flow with the guitar.
For those of you that may not know. The legendary musician 'Todd Rundgren' engineered 'The Band's' classic 'Stage Fright' cd! NOW will you play more Rundgren on Radio Paradise? Come on RadioParadise get with the program and play more 'TODD RUNDGREN'!
Rickvee wrote:
When Danko's voice comes in, wow ...... music doesn't get much better than that.
Yep. And Garth interwoven beautifully.
When Danko's voice comes in, wow ...... music doesn't get much better than that.
I think I woke up too early this morning Too many moldy oldies in this set.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
F yeah, more Band ALL the time..
on this valentines day...i would like to pledge my love to RP. live bowie to stage fright
DTCrockett wrote:
This version is good, but somebody please upload the "Last Waltz" version. That version is great!
Great--truly great--as The Last Waltz is, I prefer this version of this particular tune.
I think the version on Before the Flood has a bit more momentum and energy, and better keyboards (a bunch of 'em) ... still a great song!
I guess I'm not the only one who hears the hook from Ziggy Stardust in those keyboards....
DTCrockett wrote:
This version is good, but somebody please upload the "Last Waltz" version. That version is great!
Yeah, is this "bad version of good songs" day?
This version is good, but somebody please upload the "Last Waltz" version. That version is great!
Always love hearing this song... wonderful
n4ku wrote:
Damn fine.
It still is.
sound more like supertrampish
Only thing on the playlist from The Last Waltz (which I'm thinking of 'cuz I see it mentioned several times in these comments) is The Weight (a version I personally don't like as much as the original). Maybe we need to upload some others . . . don't have time right now to check the "Sorried" list, but. . . .
Herbler wrote:
Beatles, The Band, Beach Boys! The Band is perfect in their own way. Never another like them.
I mean this only as an amusing or thought-provoking comment upon the variety of musical taste--but I wouldn't even besmirch the Beatles and The Band by putting them in the same sentence with those other people!
And Garth Hudson rocks, too.
Probably my favorite Band song, which happens to be my favorite band. As someone noted, the version from The Last Waltz is even better. There, Danko really captures the song's urgent, desperate core.
Beatles, The Band, Beach Boys! The Band is perfect in their own way. Never another like them.
E-String wrote:
Counting Crows were definitely influenced by this.
I can hear that, definitely. I "got" the Dead about 4-5 years ago, but still have yet to FULLY appreciate The Band.
this sounds soooo similar to an old Paul Pena song -- anyone know the one I'm talking about? It goes something like "I gotta move on out of here, you can tell me if you wanna go there..."
RobRyan wrote:
This is my favorite song by The Band, and I LOVE The Band. One of the best concerts I ever saw..
Ditto. Funny, I never thought of this before, but does it sound a little like an acoustic set from the Flaming Lips to anybody else?
love this, haven't heard it in ages.
This is my favorite song by The Band, and I LOVE The Band. One of the best concerts I ever saw..