On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, the legendary rock group THE BAND performed The Last Walz, their “farewell concert appearance” at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco CA. The concert saw The Band joined by more than a dozen all star special guests, many of whom were and are considered the living legends of their time. This historic event was captured by director Martin Scorsese and made into a concert film of the same name released in 1978. The performances captured on film that night were magical and the movie has achieved a cult classic status amongst many musicians today. It continues to be a major source of inspiration to all who see it.
In 2012, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Music In Common and legendary New England based jam band The Rev Tor Band teamed up to produce a live performance of the classic film. The show features renditions of all the hits by The Band featured in the film such as “The Weight”, “Up On Cripple Creek”, and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” as well as songs by Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and many more. Musicians from the local music scene, as well as select regional and national artists, perform the songs of the film’s original special guests in their own voice and with their own vibe making each show a unique all-star experience at every venue it is performed.
All of the profits from every concert benefit Music In Common, whose mission is to strengthen, empower, and educate communities through the universal language of music. The Last Waltz supplies the perfect soundtrack to bring musicians together and strengthen that common bond. The Last Waltz LIVE is a celebration of that spirit.