I don't have any issues. I think Levon did a great job playing and singing some songs that I wrote.

Robbie - I love your music, and everything I know about you, which admittedly isn't much, says that for the most part you are a pretty good human being.

But this kind of shit is ridiculous. Even if you are entirely "right" on all of the issues, you're still being a dick about it thirty years later.

Robbie, it would be easy for you to own up to being less than cool about the end of The Band and your refusal to reunite with the others. Levon is probably being a bit unfair to you in his criticisms, but the fact is that you made WAY more money off The Band's catalogue than the rest of the group, and while no one doubts that you were the primary songwriter, much of the group's success was due to collective contributions, especially by Garth but also by Rick, Richard, and Levon.

No one blames you for choosing to put The Band behind you forever, but your refusal to reunite with the others was a lot easier given the fact that you were not in the same financial situation they were in. Pete Townshend was in a similar position, and though it obviously pains him to have had to go back again and again on his promise that The Who were done for good, he has always been willing to help out his bandmates by going on tour, as a sign of friendship and respect for the fact that his songwriting catalogue would not be worth so much without their contribution. Now, suddenly, you are back on the 'Band'-wagon, and, again, you'll profit from it far more than the other surviving members. And while you certainly cannot be blamed for what happened to Richard or for Rick's health problems, you could have made it easier on them if you'd just been willing to bite the bullet for a few months to help out your lifelong friends when they needed you.

It seems like Levon is just venting resentment that may be unfairly placed, but wouldn't it be easier for you to just take the high road and say 'you know, I'm sorry I didn't bury the hatchet and tour with those guys way back when?' You're not responsible, but don't you ever feel just the slightest twinge of guilt that you weren't around in Richard's darkest hour?

I don't know--this is probably all very unfair and presumptuous on my part, but I just admire you and the group so much that I hate to see you continue to snipe at each other passive-aggressively. Levon may be in the wrong, but you could set it straight by just admitting that you weren't without fault in the breakup and that Levon and the others were more than session musicians following your unique vision. We all know better, and so do you.

I think The Band is still the most relevant and arguably the most influential American rock band of all time. Thanks for the great music.

-A fan.

"I wanted to do it the way I wanted to do it. These are the musical choices I wanted to make. This is the artwork I like..."

Given that the BAND's story is that of 5 musicians working together to create something greater than the sum of their parts, one has to wonder: Did Robbie ask Levon or Garth how they wanted to do it? Did he ask what musical choices they might want to make? Did he ask what artwork they like?

"I think Levon did a great job playing and singing some songs that I wrote."

This guy is 63? Sounds more like an exceedingly insecure 14 year old.

The worst thing that ever happend to Robbie Robertson was Bob Dylan. At some point Robbie fancied himself to be on Bob's level (I know! I'll call it 4% Pantomime...Bob will be so impressed!), and it just leads to this painful and unwarranted egotism that is offputting and wearying.

I love the Band, but I'd be grateful if Robbie Robertson would just stop talking.

Re the first 3 posts: it is NOT news that a rock star has a bit of an ego. The level of shock and hurt in those posts is itself shocking. It's rock'n'roll people, OF COURSE HE'S GOT A FUCKING EGO! That, my friends, is kind of --- nay, almost the entire point of -- Rock 'n' Roll.

Thank you. I will now go back and listen to some records by the humble David Bowie and Mick Jagger.

anyone who gives a shit already knows there were/are unresolved "issues" ... and really, I DO.NOT.CARE. anymore than I care about any number of other 30-year-old differences of opinion ...

let's talk about Dave Mason and Jim Capaldi ... the MadDog and Englishmen tour ... or what **really** broke up Blind

Faith.

I was delighted to see Levon Helm recently on something (I think it was Scorsce's Blues miniseries) and delighted he was looking to stop the use of "The Weight" in that commercial .... I have much affection for them all ... including the conspiciously prematurely-dear-departed

What a waste ... I want an apology .... from the author... and I will always wish Robbie Robertson the best always ...

If Robbie is being unfair to Levon here, Levon has been much more unfair to Robbie. And I say this as someone who has read Levon's book and met the guy. Levon has run down the guy for years, unfairly, and Robbie has been pretty classy and not gotten down in the dirt.

For those who want to know more about the "Feud" check out the great Band website at theband.hiof.no and search the word "Feud."

1. What are you doing these days?

2. What/who are you listening to these days?

3. Gotta story you are willing to share? or, failing that, what's next?

As far as I've ever been able to tell, Robertson (more than the others) wanted to move on and beyond in any number of realms. I don't know that it was ambition or rather just a sense of destiny or boredom with the "been there, done that."

Again, as far as I've been able to tell, he has explored many new avenues/venues ... I have always admired his willingness to risk the unknown, to go beyond the obvious comfort zone of reunions, Traveling Willbury equivalents (not that there's anything wrong with them ... and there's good money and lotsa strokes to be found in moving the circumference of the familiar/known just-a-bit).

Ed Rushka is not bad company ...