One of the sweetest voices in rock ‘n’ roll, The Band multi-instrumentalist Richard Manuel tragically took his own life 33 years ago today. The Canadian born Manuel was just 42-years-old when he sadly passed after years battling addiction, but he left behind contributions to some of the most memorable and important songs in the rock music lexicon. Whether singing lead or adding background harmonies, Manuel’s distinctive falsetto is easily recognizable in recordings of many of The Band’s classic songs, several of which were performed by the legendary group on New Year’s Eve in 1983.
Manuel was part of a The Band lineup on December 31, 1983 that played the San Francisco Civic Auditorium and included fellow original members Rick Danko, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson as well as Earl Cate, Ernie Cate, Ron Eoff and Terry Cagle. Performing piano and drums at various points in the show, Manuel’s at that point grittier but nonetheless captivating vocals were showcased throughout the night on such songs as “King Harvest (Has Surely Come),” a blistering “Chest Fever” and the group’s cover of “You Don’t Know Me.”
Full show video of The Band’s New Year’s Eve concert from 1983 is available thanks to The Band On Music Vault, watch it below:
[Originally Published: March 4, 2016]
