Testimony

With songs like "The Weight" and "Up on Cripple Creek," songwriter/guitarist Robbie Robertson and his partners in the Band introduced a music lexicon, one soaked in the mythology of the Old South, that has influenced countless musicians. In this remarkable memoir, Robertson weaves together his rollicking years with rockabilly Ronnie Hawkins; the Band’s formation and trial-by-fire supporting Bob Dylan on his ’66 world tour, and the cloistered sessions leading to their unique sound. He recounts catapulting to fame and takes us through the astonishing album run that culminated in The Last Waltz farewell concert. Testimony is the story of seismic 1960s change, of how Dylan and the Band redefined culture, and of the profound friendship between five men who created music that still fascinates us.

ROBBIE ROBERTSON was the guitarist and principal songwriter in the Band. He has produced many movie soundtracks for Martin Scorsese and others, and continues to record as a solo artist. His most recent record, How to Become Clairvoyant, came out in 2011.