10 Best Canadian Rock Bands Of All Time
7. The Band
The group originally known as The Hawks started life supporting Bob Dylan on one of his endless world tours. As they outgrew the mercurial singer, they became their own often equally mysterious entity, embarking on an initial nine year run that saw them release some exceptional music, become immortalised by a Scorsese film, and enter the pantheon of legends.
Led by Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm (the band’s token non-Canadian), The Band began with a tough to top mission statement, Music From Big Pink. The record features their best known song “The Weight”, with its much-debated chorus lyric and incredible vocals from Helm and bassist Rick Danko. They also reverted to their former boss for inspiration, with arguably the definite version of Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” closing things off.
The rest of their classic period work is all at the very least interesting. Probably the best collection is Northern Lights – Southern Cross, featuring a group of mostly Canadians performing music in the classical American styles better than just about anyone from the south.
The concert film The Last Waltz is perhaps the best way to get into The Band. Martin Scorsese’s immaculately shot document of a band on its last legs is wistful and sad, but brimming with great music.