I Survived A Weekend With Keith Richards and Levon Helm 

What's your favorite Keith and/or Levon song? Solo or with the Stones or the Band. Let me know what ya love!

When Chuck mentions Donnie playing Happy with Keith, He's talking about Donnie Herron. Donnie has been in Bob Dylan's band since 2005. FYI and stuff.

You Got the Silver is my fav Keef song. Love Happy of course. Levon's voice on anything is great but The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Ophelia are sublime.

"I'm trying to quit but I'm weak... well, I'm a fortnight, take two" haha great quick wit from Keith, what an amazing story, I love it!

Levon's version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" never fails to leave a lump in my throat. As a drummer, I've always appreciated Levon's funk & soulfulness of his drumming. I love his understanding that less is more. May he RIP.

Favorite Levon song - probably All La Glory - but man, all of them. Me and my buddies used to sit around and listen to The Band all the time and wonder how the hell they weren't the most beloved band in America. Levon, and all the rest of those guys - that's probably the greatest collection of voices that will ever be. Anything sung by Levon just beaks my heart every time, and he had a feel to his drumming that just can't be put into words. I can't even imagine what it must have felt like playing with him.

I keep coming back to this one. Makes me laugh. Love this one, great interview! Did a bunch of filming and interviews with Gatemouth Brown....can concur!

SO GOOD! I was on a 'Country Cruise' in Europe about 4 years ago where Chuck Mead was also on the bill (great artist + band!) and he DID borrow a cigarette off me!! I'm not kidding.

Otis you gotta milk this dude, he's got some good stories!

This interview has to rate at the top, it was great. We need more Chuck Mead stories, and he still has a Marlboro from Keith Richards, how cool!

I like how he had to clear up the coke was coke a cola lol.

This little interview was so good I think it could have been the basis of a movie - this was freaking awesome!

I love the way he imitates Keith 2:50 „It was fantastic!”

"I Could Have Stood You Up (But I Didn't)" is one of Keith's best for sure.

Could listen to Chuck all day, great stories !

I love Levon's portrayal of Loretta's father in Coal Miner's Daughter movie.

As for Keith songs, You Got the Silver and Before They Make Me Run are at the top of my list. There's a live clip of Levon singing Anna Lee at the Ryman about a year before he died that is such an incredible soulful performance. Levon ruled!

This may be the best channel on all of RU-vid. Some of the funniest stories ever. Otis , keep on keeping’ on!

Don't know if this counts, but I love Levon singing Springsteen's Atlantic City.

A Marlboro Red from Keef. That’s a rock n roll trophy.

Haha! What a good story teller - those impersonations are dead on! Dr. John's 'who the f is that?' Keith's enjoyment in handing out that smoke, etc. Really enjoyed this - thanks!

Chuck Mead!! Those stories man, so great! Gotta remember to hug him next time i'm in Nashville 💗

The Weight Levon nails it while playing drums without missing a beat. Unbelievable!

Thanks Otis, that was cool. Of the non-Stones Keith stuff, 'Crosseyed Heart' is a cool bluesy little number that I enjoy.

I love , Coming down again, Man what life, what a story. Thanks.

As always, awesome storytelling. Thanks Otis. Keep up the good work.

Levon is a hero. My favorite solo tune he did is a Buddy Miller song. Wide River to cross.

Man. It’s always been my dream to be a professional musician. But like a lot of us life gets in the way. But I can live vicariously through your stories. I absolutely love this channel. Your awesome Otis. Keep them coming

Levon was such a good vocalist, let's not forget When I Paint My Masterpiece

Otis, man I love your stuff. This is my favorite! I’ve watched it 4 times and laughed every time.. Chuck Mead seems like a guy I’ve known forever. What a great storyteller! BR549 And The Grassy Knoll boys are baddass! Thanks

"If you enjoyed this video and you'd..."- hell,Otis, it's 7:30 in the morning and I've snorted coffee OUT my nose twice. Love it, love it, love it. Seen most all those guys and hung with Huburt Sumlin and Dr John each. I love those crazy stories. Reminds me of the 80s in Austin. Clarance Gatemouth-that guy was a fireball....Look for the LP San ANtonio Ballbuster speaking of balls

I had the pleasure of being the guitar player backing all these guys on this show...what an event...I ended up at Levon's house in Woodstock ..hanging for a couple of days...can you imagine what a trip that was for little ole me from Manchester UK?! x...Hubert Sumlin saying to me "Hey Boltz..you're the man!"...I'm like "No you're the man!"...Steve Jordan comes over and says " When you 2 lovebirds have done we have a show to rehearse!"

Keith's duett with George Jones on the barn sessions, Say it's not you! Good on so many leavels. With Stones it's I got the silver.

I loved BR-549 and this is a hilarious story. And, tinged with sadness and regret at the end, making Chuck Mead as human as all of us for the things we didn't do.

That's some good stuff right there! Hats off to Chuck Mead for being such a great storyteller. Love me some BR-549!

Chuck Mead is a great story teller. I love hearing Levon play and sing Don't do it.

Love all of Keiths vocals, stand outs obviously are his 'solo' spots like Before They Make Me Run or Little T n A, or Happy, Levon is a hard one, love his unique vocal style but I find I gravitate to the ones sung by Richard Manuel and that tragically blown out style that he gets up to. Slight diversion here, my brother plays bass and played with a band called Coup deVille in the late 80's, whom Dr John would call on when he played Houston or Austin or even N.Orleans, and for some reason, he liked to talk to me back stage, maybe because I would ask him about Stax records or playing piano with Harry Nilsson or stories about Fats Domino who he called Antoine. He told me a story about Antoine being the last person you would want to deliver a wedding cake, and funny one about Mac's lawyer issues(after I told him my dad was a attorney) Loved meeting and talking to him on several occasions and every time he saw me, he'd wave me over and I would tell him what I was listening to lately and he would always have a story. Sweet and generous to punk kid from Austin. Just listened to Gris Gris this morning and Rockin Chair by the Band, funny little sync. Like most musicians, Chuck is a good story teller. Gotta mine that gold, man. Loved it Otis, thanks for that.

Love chuck mead and br549. I too am from ks and those guys were all over the scene when i lived in lawrence from ‘95-00. Saw many a show and loved em all!

I think Levon is one of the greatest drummers ever. He’s just so greasy and good. He’s so lyrical. I love all his music with the band and in his own. Too hard to pick one song. I got to see him play live and it was special. My favorite Keith Richards is sticky fingers record follows by goat heads soup and exile on main st. I can only do albums not songs. Hope that’s ok. Thanks for sharing the goodness Otis. Also always did dig Clarence gatemouth brown.

🙃 And that is how legends are born girls and boys.

I'm torn in multiple directions. The opening riff in "Can't you hear me knocking" not to mention the rest of Keith's guitar in that song is legendary. The attitude drenched swaggering guitar work in "Monkey Man" is also a favorite of mine. I have other favorites too but it becomes too long to list...... :)

What a great story. We can only wish to hang out and play with ANY of these guys!

Great stories, I saw BR5-49 in Central Park and also survived a night with Keith Richards and Delbert McClinton at Tramps Irish Pub...

Chuck is a Major Leaguer, but still in awe of the Stars. So cool. Same with Otis. I love the humility, associating with likes of us, but really among the elite in the music world, and stars in their own right. Thanks for your dedication and hard work bringing great songs and music into the world. And Otis, thanks so much for these videos. I’m hooked.

Happy is actually one of my favorite Stones songs and my #1 Keith song. He was great in that Chuck Berry movie! Up on Cripple Creek is all Levon ❤️

What a hell of an experience. That few days is a lifetime of memories and such an eclectic mix of heroes to me. Smokin with Hubert Sumlin alone would do it for me.

Shit I love this guy....more please!

All of Levons songs are my favorites

Awesome as always, Otis! Love catching up on these old vids. All your guests, like you are so damn down to earth. Good people, great stories!

Love this station! I enjoy watching LeVon singing "The Weight" & "Up on Cripple Creek"....don't understand how he can sing & drum at the same time!

the Keith cover of Hickory Wind from the Graham Parsons tribute is about as good as it gets. Love Hurts with Laura Jones is a classic as well.

Love This guy I could spend a weekend with him telling me stories

Thank you for your hard work. your stories and friends are gold!

I am listening to your stories while I work- thank you so much, lovely person you are!!

I love your channel!!! The best thing in the world I love other than my son is all of these stories from all your friends and yourself!! My favorite Levon Helm is The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down!!!

Absoeffinloutly more more more!!! Thank you so much Otis for sharing the stories of your friends with us....priceless!

I love these videos so much! These first hand stories about legends are priceless!

Hey again..The Weight of Chucks hanging with levon (Lee?-) and his hilarious Keef impression made an amazing Connection to his Epic story . Incredible stuff Otis..Love and peace..

Great story. Caught BR549 quite a few times in the northeast, opening for Bob Dylan during late 1990s. Excellent band.

Dude, you are one magnificent story teller.wish I could hang out with you.

I had ever BR549,c.d.until the day I went to the joint,good thing my ex-wife,liked em too,least they went to go use.Still,a great portion of the soundtrack to my life, and I am forever grateful.

Great story...Chuck has talked to the man who saw the Lion....my fave Keith song is Last Time..that song cranked out of a transistor radio when I was 10 years old started the wheels in my head turning way more than Love me do ever did....favorite Levon song is Rain down tears....thanks Otis...

Chuck Mead is a great musician -bandleader I know of , from Nashville-Chis Scruggs played with Him, and now plays with Marty Stewart as a bass player-but I met Chris when he was doing steel guitar demos live in the country music hall of fame, and was way beyond good then !

Great stories of some of my favorite hero's ........ thanks

Wow! Such good story telling! I love hearing musicians describe big stars behind the scenes.

I loved this story , well, stories , I've watched this particular episode probably 5 times and it never gets old

Love Chuck .. A very interesting fellow. I could listen to him for hours. Excellent story teller. Thank you Otis for sharing these “keep sakes.” 🌵

That was a great story. The weight, the night they drove old Dixie down. Give me shelter, waiting on a friend. Just to name a few.

ive watched this several times thank you

That was great, and thanks! My favorite Levon is his version of Tennessee Jed; my favorite Keith is All About You, though You Don’t Have to Mean It is very close…

Hey again..The of Chucks hanging with levon (Lee?-) and his hilarious Keef impression made an amazing to his Epic story . Incredible stuff Otis..Love and peace..

Another great story, thanks Otis! My favorite Keith Richards song is "Happy." When I was a kid I had a hot rod '68 Mustang. The former owner had installed a booster and a cheap 8 track. I had a hits tape that included "Happy." The head was misaligned so when you listened to it you got 3/4s of "Happy" forward and 1/4 of some other song backwards. I loved the song and Keith's gravely voice anyway and I still do!

Favorite Keith song: “Whip it up” Favorite Levon song “The got song” what a damn fine story as well. Absolutely hilarious 😆 Thanks for the share Otis!

What a great story and Chuck makes it sound so good, makes me wish I was there. What's the world going to do when all of us boomers have left?

Awesome stories. Keep em coming.

This is absolutely one of the best stores I’ve ever heard!!!! Thanks Otis

What a great story by Chuck! The Keef "Happy" situation was priceless! First going and getting a copy of Exile so Donny could learn the part, then Richards couldn't remember the lyrics? Steve Jordan being incredulous that he couldn't was classic! Oh my God, thank you so much for the hilarious story!

Such a great storyteller. ‘I have a cigarette collection’. Awesome.

Hi Otis Gibbs, gotta say I love your channel! I love that there’s more than just C&W music, and I say that as a fan of the genre. Love to hear some stories about Joe Maphis. Man learned so much about the artists whose music has enriched my life through your channel, and I appreciate the effort you put into it. Good stuff man!

Excellent video! Keep em coming.

Just loving the videos and podcasts Otis. Found Townes this year, and currently 'drinking in' your shows [like oxygen]. Thank you so much brother.

Levon: "Yazoo Street Scandal" w/ The Band & Dylan, the bonus track version on the "...Big Pink" reissue specifically. (The version on "Basement Tapes" is the same recording, but the tape is sped up about half a step & a few BPM.) Levon also plays mandolin on it while Manuel plays drums, just like on "Rag Mama Rag". Keef w/ Stones: "Thru And Thru" from Voodoo Lounge (1996). Keef solo: tie between "999" and "Will But You Won't", both from Main Offender (1992).

How many times have I returned to hear this? Much love indeed. Wide River to Cross my friends

Best story and storytelling I've heard in years

Thanks again, Otis - my fav. site, always great!!!

Great stories Otis, followed the Band for many years and know most of Levon's solo and ramble material, very hard to pick just one of his gems but "When I go away" has been circling in my memory. As for Keith & Levon Deuce & A Quarter.

Chuck Mead is the real deal. Great story!

Great story !! Thank you for sharing

Awesome thanks for sharing

Awesome! Love this!

Keep these story videos comin', Otis!

Thanks Otis for another great story! Really glad I found your channel.

Thanks Ottis that’s an awesome story.Happy is my favourite and could be the best rock and roll song ever.atlantic city is my favourite levon song cheers.

Just watched "Girl on the billboard". Love it!

Worked with Donny at Gibson Guitar in the early 90s - great guy- Happy for all his success

Excellent. Thank you.

Goot Gawd, what an assembly of talent and characters! I love all the stories, but this was definitely one of my favorites. A couple of my favorite Levon tunes are Golden Bird and A Train Robbery. Hope nobody minds, but since he was in the story, I'm gonna list my favorite Gatemouth Brown song, Dark End of the Hallway. And my favorite BR5-49 song is Me N Opie Down by the Duck Pond.

I love me every one of the songs by BR459. Oh yeah and Levon, Clarence and Keith too ;-) I like a couple of their songs. Chuck is a freaking hoot!

what a fookin great story and great storyteller!

Dead Flowers. This would have been my dream weekend.