The Band was a Canadian-American rock group, consisting of Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm. The members first met when they joined Ronnie Hawkins‘ Ontario-based group “The Hawks.” After separating, they were picked up by Bob Dylan for his 1965 US Tour, and then for the 1966 World Tour.

Their relationship with Dylan helped the group move to New York, where they collaborated with him on music that would end up becoming some of the most sought-after bootlegs of the time; namely, the 1975-released project known as The Basement Tapes. They followed up these sessions with the release of their debut album, 1968’s Music From Big Pink.

They have garnered numerous accolades and critical praise over the years, including a 1994 induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and a 2008 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Rolling Stone magazine ranked them at number 50 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of all Time. Additionally, 1968’s “The Weight” was ranked at number 41 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.