50 Years Later: Celebrating the Band’s Stage Fright
The 1970s were a time of struggle, change and innovations. It was also a decade of love and music. August 17, 1970. The Band released their third studio album Stage Fright.
The Band is a Candian-American rock band that consisted of Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson, and Levon Helm. They were the backing band for Rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins and known as The Hawks from 1958 to 1963.
Following their time with Hawkins, they started working with Bob Dylan during the mid-60s and this is where they received their recognition. After working with Dylan, they officially changed their name to The Band.
Proceeding Stage Fright was Music From Big Pink (1968) and self titled The Band (1969). Their first album was a huge success. It featured three songs that were co-written by Dylan. After its release, the Band went on tour and even performed at Woodstock.
“After their first album, The Band, was dubbed as a music template for country rock and said to have paved the way for bands like the Eagles.”
The Rolling Stone magazine praised the Band for their musical talents and the group was the second band (following the Beatles) to land the cover of Time magazine. After their first album, The Band, was dubbed as a music template for country rock and said to have paved the way for bands like the Eagles.
Following their first two albums, the Band went on their first tour as a headlining act. This was a turning point in their music. As they became more famous, their songs' topics started to cover fear and annilnation. This is where Stage Fright came into play.
The Band was an album of firsts all around. It was engineered by an up-and-coming Todd Rundgren and produced by the group themselves. Its cover featured a semi-abstract sunset designed by Bob Cato wrapped in a poster of a photograph by Norman Seeff. Originally, the plan for the album was supposed to be less serious and “goofy” in a sense. However, the band’s anxiety from their new found fame came into play and the songs were slightly darker than intended.
Upon its release, critics praised the album but noted how different it was from the first two records. Major music critics from Billboard and Rolling Stone noted that the lyrics and music just did not quite connect on their album.
On the contrary to the first reviews, some later reviewers noted that the album was one of their greatest - even though it was different than the first two.
Some of the tracks featured on this album are “Strawberry Wine,” “Time to Kill,” “The Shape I’m In,” and “Stage Fright.” In 1970, the album was number five on Billboard's top chart for pop albums. “Time to Kill” also was number 77 on Billboard’s singles chart for pop singles.
In the 2000s, four tracks were reissued: "Daniel and the Sacred Harp (Alternate take)," "Time to Kill (Alternate mix)," "The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show (Alternate mix)," and "Radio Commercial."
Following Stage Fright, the Band released eight more albums.
Author: Chelsea Babin