This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Band’s legendary The Last Waltz final concert and to celebrate, NYC’s Lincoln Center hosted an all-star tribute concert Saturday night. Held down by Levon Helm’s longstanding Midnight Ramble Band, special guests included Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, and even Dr. John, reprising the song he sang at the original Last Waltz.
Weir subbed in for another guitar great, playing “Further On Up the Road” just as Eric Clapton did in 1976. Williams did a beautiful version of “It Makes No Difference,” while Griffin took on Neil Young’s Last Waltz contribution on “Helpless,” then switched to Emmylou Harris mode for “Evangeline.” Some younger stars were highlights too: Anderson East slayed Van Morrison’s “Caravan,” and Teddy Thompson clearly inherited some chops from his dad Richard on “Ophelia.” And, of course, the inevitable all-star singalong on “The Weight” was every bit as great as you’d expect.
Luckily a whole bunch of great videos have surfaced (though we’re still waiting on Dr. John!), watch them below.
“Further On Up the Road” w/ Bob Weir
“It Makes No Difference” w/ Lucinda Williams
“Such a Night” w/ Dr. John
“Helpless” w/ Patty Griffin
“Caravan” w/ Anderson East
“Ophelia” w/ Teddy Thompson
“Rag Mama Rag” w/ Howard Johnson
“Up on Cripple Creek” w/ Buddy Miller
“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” w/ Buddy Miller
“Down South in New Orleans” w/ Buddy Miller
“The Shape I’m In”
“Long Black Veil”
“Chest Fever”
“Forever Young” w/ everyone
“The Weight” w/ everyone
Last Waltz 40th Anniversay Tribute Setlist
This Wheel’s on Fire
The State I’m In
Life Is a Carnival
Up on Cripple Creek (w/ Buddy Miller)
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (w/ Biddy Miller)
Ophelia (w/ Teddy Thompson)
Helpless (w/ Patty Griffin)
Evangeline (w/ Patty Griffin)
Caravan (w/ Anderson East)
Rag Mama Rag (w/ Howard Johnson)
It Makes No Difference (w/ Lucinda Williams)
Further On Up the Road (w/ Bob Weir)
Such a Night (w/ Dr John)
Down South in New Orleans (w/ Buddy Miller)
Long Black Veil
Chest Fever
Forever Young (w/ all)
The Weight (w/ all)
