The Band, featuring Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
The group’s classic lineup included Helm, Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson. Their music blended rock, folk, country, blues and traditional American styles, giving the band a distinctive sound that influenced generations of roots and Americana musicians.
The Band became widely known after backing Bob Dylan during his electric period in the mid-1960s. Its own breakthrough arrived with the 1968 album Music from Big Pink, followed by songs such as “The Weight,” “Up on Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” The group’s 1976 farewell concert was filmed by Martin Scorsese and released as The Last Waltz.
A common mix-up is to identify the group by one member, especially Robertson or Helm. The Rock Hall honor was awarded to the band as a unit, recognizing the shared work of all five classic members. The 1994 class also included The Animals, Bob Marley and The Grateful Dead.