The Band, a band that was formed in 1964, ended their career on Thanksgiving day of 1976. This year is the Band’s 45th anniversary of The Last Waltz, the Band’s last concert. Although the Band may not sound familiar to many people now,  they have influenced many famous rock musicians, including members of the Beatles, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan.

The style of their music is a mix of classic canadian folk, American, folk, rock, and a bit of blues, which is the root of rock. The Band seemed to be based with the roots of classic rock that we all know and love today.

Bob Dylan is definitely one of the bigger names that is associated with the Band. Dylan toured with the Band for a number of years, and he actually gave them the name “the band” because that is what he always referred to them as. After touring with Dylan, the Band’s career took off.

Their first album, Music from Big Pink, with some songs co written by Dylan himself, was widely acclaimed in Rolling Stone and kicked off their career in rock n’ roll. The original members, Rick Danko (bass, vocals, double bass, fiddle, trombone), Levon Helm ( drums, vocals, mandolin, percussion), Garth Hudson (organ, keyboards, saxophone, accordion, pedalboard, woodwinds, brass), Richard Manuel (piano, organ, vocals, marimba, lap steel guitar, drums), and Robbie Robertson  (guitars, vocals, percussion), truly make up a group filled with very talented members.

The Last Waltz is the Band’s last concert, featuring all original members, and is directed by Martin Scorsese. Later released as a DVD box set with all the artist features in the show.  Scorsese saw importance to document the last concert of the Band and it is considered one of the best rock documentaries of all time. The Last Waltz featured a lineup with some of the biggest music stars in the 70’s, such as Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Bobby Charles, Neil Diamond, and Paul Butterfield. All artists included had somehow been influenced by the band.

The stars also all came back in the end to perform what is probably their best known song “The Weight”. If it weren’t for Dylan’s discovery of the Band, and for them having The Last Waltz, many rock artists would not be the same. Within the past years other bands and artist have recreated The Last Waltz, such as Wilco,  Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, the Shins, Dr Dog, Yellowbirds, Ween, Furthur, and others. “Our MO of what the model of a functioning group of musicians was; was very inspired by The Band,” said Sam Cohen of Yellowbirds.

Now arriving on the Band’s The Last Waltz 45th anniversary, there could be more to come out of rock music today, and more inspiration could be taken in for future artist to come. The Band is clearly one of the most influential rock groups that have brought us new sounds and ideas in rock and folk.