With the new documentary Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the band Now available to stream, Robbie Robertson takes a deep look at his time in the Band in a recent episode of our Rolling Stone Music Now Robertson’s podcast talks about his strained relationship with Levon Helm, whether the group’s story was a triumph or a tragedy, his work with Bob Dylan, and more.
According to Robertson, writing songs for the group’s multiple singers was much like writing a musical or showing a movie. “I saw it almost in the sense of a theatrical group,” he says. “The way John Ford or Ingmar Bergman used the same people in many of their movies … I wrote these songs specifically for those guys. Levon, you know, was my closest brother. And so I was trying really hard. I knew his instrument. I knew his abilities. And I was trying to write songs that were perfect for him to sing. And a couple of times, I could have nailed it.
To listen to the full interview, press play above or download and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Spotify.
Download and subscribe to our weekly podcast, Rolling Stone Music Now, hosted by Brian Hiatt, on iTunes or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts), and watch the two-year episodes on file, including in-depth, career-spanning interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Halsey, Neil Young, The National, Questlove, Julian Casablancas, Sheryl Crow, Johnny Marr, Scott Weiland, Alice Cooper, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello, Donald Fagen, Phil Collins, Alicia Keys, Stephen Malkmus, Sebastian Bach, Tom Petty, Kelly Clarkson, Pete Townshend, Bob Seger, The Zombies, Gary Clark Jr. and many more, plus dozens of episodes with debates, debates and explanations that cover the entire genre with Rolling Stone’s critics and reporters. Tune in every Friday at 1 pm ET to listen Rolling Stone Music Now broadcast live from SiriusXM’s studios on Volume channel 106.
