As we told you last August, the guitarist and chief songwriter of The Band, Robbie Robertson, will be publishing his memoir, Testimony, on November 15 (from Crown Archetype). In late September, it was announced that the songwriter of “The Weight,” “Up on Cripple Creek” and other classic rock staples, will see UMe release Testimony, a new anthology of 18 recordings personally curated by Robertson.
Robertson has now organized an extensive North American book tour to promote the book, beginning in New York City on the book’s November 15 pub date – as well as an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. The 12-date tour includes seven U.S. and five Canadian dates. Robertson will do a Q-and-A with a variety of interviewers. In New York, for instance, it’ll be with Steve Van Zandt; in Cambridge, CA, it’s with noted author Peter Guralnick.
In the 336-page book Robertson recalls his early years as a member of the Hawks, backing Canadian rockabilly artist Ronnie Hawkins, then divulges the days accompanying Bob Dylan as he evolved from folkie to rocker; the recording sessions in the basement of the Saugerties, N.Y., home (next to Woodstock) known as Big Pink; and The Band’s rise from the late ’60s through their 1976 split.
Related: Details of Robertson’s memoir
The Testimony album, which arrives November 11, spans across studio and live recordings from Robertson’s music career, before, during and after The Band’s heyday. Pre-order is available here.
Related: Details of Robertson’s anthology
Robbie Robertson Book Tour (Click here for tickets):
Nov 15 – New York, NY – New York Public Library
Nov 16 – Philadelphia, PA – Philbrick Hall at Parkway Central at Free Library
Nov 17 – Cambridge, MA – St. James Episcopal Church
Nov 18 – Montreal, QC – Lower Canada College
Nov 21 – Toronto, ON – TIFF Bell Lightbox
Nov 29 – Los Angeles, CA – The Theatre at Ace Hotel
Nov 30 – San Rafael, CA – Angelico Hall Dominican Univ.
Dec 02 – Seattle, WA – University Temple United Methodist Church
Dec 05 – Victoria, BC – University Centre Farquhar Auditorium
Dec 06 – Vancouver, BC – Christ Church Cathedral
Dec 07 – Calgary, AB – Mt Royal University Bella Concert Hall
Dec 13 – Nashville, TN – Vanderbilt Ingram Hall
On the same November 11 date as Robertson’s Testimony anthology release, Rhino will release four new 40th Anniversary Editions of The Band’s The Last Waltz in CD, Blu-ray, and vinyl formats.
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