The Band was a Canadian-American
roots rock group, originally consisting of
Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, trombone, vocals),
Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, vocals),
Garth Hudson (keyboards, saxophones, trumpet),
Richard Manuel (piano, baritone, drums, vocals) and
Robbie Robertson (guitar, percussion, vocals). The members of the Band first came together as they joined
rockabilly singer
Ronnie Hawkins's backing group, the
Hawks, one by one between 1958 and 1963.