The Last Waltz

Hailed as one of the greatest documentary concert films, The Last Waltz was advertised as the Band’s farewell concert. Joined by an incredible cast of luminaries (Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris and others) and directed by Martin Scorsese, the concert was held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976. It was an elaborate affair in San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom – the audience of 5,000 was served turkey dinners while a live orchestra played and various entertainers performed for the guests. The Band came on five hours later and ended after 2 a.m. with the encore “Don’t Do It.” The concert footage and the music became a part of rock history and in 2016, a 40th anniversary box set of the concert was released, with additional songs, backstage photos, essays and reviews of the concert. — Leanne von Mittenwald