The Band, And The Staples - The Weight (The Last Waltz) [REACTION] 

Mavis Staples has one of the greatest voices in the last hundred years

It's a pleasure watching people discover the music I grew up with. I still get chills when the Staples join in on this classic ballad. Mavis Staples breathes soul into anything that she utters and Levon Helm is so smooth and down to earth, to listen to him sing is like chatting with an old friend. I love seeing you so enamored by such gifted artists. Peace. ✌

When she starts to sing if you don't feel chills run down your spine you're dead inside, amazing vocals

RIP Robbie. Papa Staples 💪it doesn't get any better. I grew up with this music . Why don't they still make music & songs like this. So much heart, soul & depth.

Mavis and Pops Staples are in the Blues hall of fame, Gospel hall of fame, Rock and Roll hall of fame. A foundational family of American music.

This entire album is a classic. One of the best live recordings of all time.

Love this song! Rick Danko’s voice and bass were so unrefined and melodic. Listen to that bass line. Wow!!! He was a treasure!!!

I recommend you react to The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down from The Band next . Make sure it’s the live version from the concert The Last Waltz. The Band is one of the greatest bands in rock and roll history period.

When Mavis started clapping “Feel like I’m in church!” Good reason for that… While The Band (everyone you saw playing an instrument), was one of the top rock bands on the planet… The Staples were also one of the top gospel acts in the universe!

The Staple Singers had a few big hits back in the day themselves.

Pure talent, no autotune, no pre-recorded tracks, or special effects, the music of my day and age will never be matched.

This is one of the best live collaborations in the history of rock and roll, country, and soul music. Mavis Staples is like a goddess.

one of those sublime songs that, even on first listen, felt like it had been around forever ~ the Staple Singers simply made it transcendental

Loved your reaction. Robbie is playing a 1960 Gibson Double Neck guitar. This version of The Weight is a classic. These musicians all had one thing in common. INCREDIBLE TALENT.

It just takes one song to take you out of depression and remind you that life aint so bad. This was that song. Thank you The Band, thank you The Staples.

The INCOMPARABLE Mavis Staples! She always gives me chills.

Yeah, that sister singing lead is Mavis Staples. One of the most sultry voices in her prime. The song is iconic and has been covered by EVERYBODY. I have heard it a million times and never grow tired of it. Enjoyed your reaction...TY.

Mavis Staple the GOAT .... Great cross over Gospel band ~ Check out "I'll Take You There," and "Respect Yourself." Thanks for the outstanding reactions. Oh...In the way of a request.... SADE....Search "SADE Live In San Diego" ...you will not be disappointed..... In particular, "No Ordinary Love." Just outstanding....any serious female artist should study her...closely. Cheers

If you listen at very end she whispers beautiful.....

Oh god god yes this is one of the high points ever. The Band and The Staples Singers had to meet and when they did .. dynamite. At the end Mavis leans into the mike and whispers .. "beautiful" And it was and is and will forever be. Cheers 🍺

Everyone's already commented where this clip is from and why so I'll not repeat the same. Suffice to say, the film of that final concert is well worth checking out. The Band was originally formed as a backing group to one of the early Rock 'n' Rollers, Ronnie Hawkins, and at that time were known as The Hawks. Drummer Levon Helm is from Arkansas, while the rest of the group are Canadians. While Hawkins only managed a small handful of hits, their version of Bo Diddley's Who Do You Love is blistering hot and features Robbie Robertson, the same guitarist as in The Weight. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-juIdf7llR_A.html In 1962, the group decided to pursue a more R&B approach than Hawkins wanted so they parted ways with their mentor. Hawkins had worked them hard, rehearsing after shows instead of partying like most bands did. The result was the tightest band on every club circuit. For a few years, they were also the best band without a hit record, though they tried. At the height of 1964's Beatlemania, they released a few singles that failed to attract much of an audience, though they're decent tracks. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-w1SJZGhg2QI.html&ab_channel=TOKENHIPPIE54TOKENHIPPIE54 When they'd begun to lose hope of making it, a contact brought them to the attention of Bob Dylan, who hired them to back him for his upcoming tour. He'd switched to playing electric from his acoustic Folk roots and not all of his Folk purist fans were pleased. They have great shows, then get booed mercilessly at others. They stuck it out and it made them stronger for it. Dylan's influence also gave them a new direction, adding rootsy Blues Folk to their repertoire. This is when they adopted the name The Band, because behind both Hawkins and Dylan, that's what they were. They released their first album in 1968 and had instant success, managing many hits until they broke up after this final concert.

In late summer 1965, Bob Dylan was looking for a backup band for his first U.S. "electric" tour. Levon and the Hawks were recommended. With Dylan, the Hawks played a series of concerts from September 1965 through May 1966, billed as Bob Dylan and the Band. This is how they got their name.

The Band - an incredible part of Rock & Roll history. Mavis Staple was a friend of the Beatles. Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson. Check out Somewhere down that crazy river, iconic song.

I loved your reaction to this magic moment in live music history. The Band was drummer/singer Levon Helm (RIP) from Arkansas. The rest of the band were Canadians; Robbie Robertson guitar, Rick Danko (RIP) bass and 4th verse, Richard Manuel (RIP) organ on this & Garth Hudson piano on this. They were Dylan's backing band for several years prior to going on their own. The Staples Singers were Roebuck (Pops) Staples (RIP) and his daughters, Mavis 2nd verse Cleotha & Yvonne (Both RIP) They had their own career and recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals studio in Alabama. If I had only one song to listen to from here on (I'm an old fart) this would likely be it. Perfect from start to finish. Again, your reaction made my day!

This show, in my opinion, was one of the' greatest concerts ever held in the history of music....period. Please watch the documentary that this performance is in, 'The Last Waltz' produced by Martin Scorcese. It belongs in a Time Capsule for future generations....

This from the concert movie called The Last Waltz. The Band decided to breakup and had a farewell concert, inviting their many friends to sing with them over course of concert. The Band was originally the backup musicians for Bob Dylan. The Band decided to write and record songs apart from Dylan and became quite successful on their own.

RIP Levon. The Band truely were one of the greats

Your joy is infectious. The Weight is the perfect song. especially with the Staples Singers. For the ages.

Two incredibly talented groups together - and understand that they rehearsed this song for days - DAYS - leading to this final take. Dedicated to perfection.

Great Reaction. the 50th anniversary of this song was celebrated by a Playing for Change cover, featuring Ringo Starr on drums (Levon Helms RIP) and Robbie Robertson (the original guitarist and songwriter) and dozens of young artists. They do a great job. Worth a look.

yes yes yes. your smile and happiness is infectious. i smiled the whole time

Mavis adds so much to an already great song, her voice will be part of American music forever.

Check out Playing for Change. Robbie Roberson, Ringo Starr doing The Weight with folks from all over the world. It is fabulous.

That's the Staple Singers singing with the band. The gentleman is Papa Stables

One of the best tunes in history.

That is a custom made double neck made for Robbie Robertson. Most double necks are a regular 6 string on the bottom and a 12 string above, but this one was special made with a mandolin above. The Band started out as Bob Dylan's original studio backing band. The older, black man and woman are Pops & Mavis Staples.

If you've never heard "I'll Take You There" by the Staples Singers, you are in for an epic experience. Nobody can touch Mavis - deep as the ocean and sweet as pie.

Such an iconic song in the history of music. And The Staples! Goodness!

R/R you’ve just had the pleasure and Honor of listening to “The Staples Singers” w/ Mavis Staple and Pops Staple (guitar). A Father and his 3 daughters. “The Band” (that’s their name) w/ Rob Robertson (6 &/12/ string guitar) & Levon Helm (drums). Thnx for the React!….SanJoséBob

One of the finest performance bands of its age. Staples fit in to this wonderfully.

The Band is like no other and you are in for a fantastic ride learning their catalog!!!👍👌✌ They are just one of many 60-70's bands that will continue to make you feel really good, inspired, amazed, happy, mellow, mesmerized, reflecting... That's what music used to be all about and I'm insanely grateful to have lived through it all!!! Just a few of the epic bands I recommend is Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Rush, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Grateful Dead, Santana, Heart, Yes, Procol Haram, Deep Purple, Cat Stevens, Steely Dan, David Bowie and... The list can go on and on, but nobody on my list will disappoint!!!👍👌 Enjoy the ride✌😁

One of the best songs ever written and recorded. Tip of the hat to fellow Canadians Robbie Robertson (guitar), Rick Danko (bass) and Richard Manuel (piano). Massive respect for Levon Helm (drums) and Garth Hudson (organ). The Band.

I remember when I first heard the band early 70's. It was a sound I never heard at that time. I was 15 or 16. I was still living at home. I heard this song and the song ' The night they drove old Dixie down.' Up on cripple creek. I remember thinking these songs could have been written in the 1860s instead of the 1960s. I have loved the band ever since. Nice to know other generations enjoy them as much.

I love how you enjoy yourself so much. Bless your soul. 😁

This performance of a great song I have enjoyed since it's presentation. Watching your groove, adorned with a beautifully expressive energy and spirit brings me back to time and place that puts joy in my soul. Thank you so much for sharing this invaluable gift you possess. And that smile. Warm and brilliant. This short time spent with you has been a blessing.

icons all of them and a truly iconic song. just greatness everywhere ya look

thank U, enjoying the Blues, the music! with Me, My B-day 69 & doing Fine!💙 Doni

"Like church?" When the great Mavis Staples raises her voice in song - honey, we ALL in church!

Oh yes, I've heard this song before. Quite a lot actually, back in the days. I just never knew who sang it. It's great to see this performance now and meet their faces. And that's exactly why I check out every single one of your reactions! One never knows what one might find, and I've not been disappointed yet. Thank you for taking me along on this journey of yours.

I love your comparison to a five course meal. Bravo to you for listening to it and bravo to the person who suggested it. 👏👏👏 Be sure to listen to other live performances by The Band.

I love this song, and your reaction warms my heart. I miss your reactions!

The voices, music and every instrument was in perfect sync. I youtube this version on the regular and every time my reaction is just like the first time I watched it

Greetings from Canada. Loved to see you love it so much. It gladdens my heart to know that the new generation finds this song to be irresistable too. Good on you, R.R.- be safe.

The Band was the most talented, tightest, and influential group of all time. There are many great songs to check out. These include; The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, (live from The Last Waltz film), Acadian Driftwood, It Makes No Difference, Rockin' Chair, The Rumor, I Shall Be Relased, AND SO MANY MORE....

You’re part of the cure, young lady. Please keep doin’ what your doin’. God Bless ✌️🙏😊

Iconic groups (The Band, and The Staples), iconic concert and album (The Last Waltz). And Mavis Staples is a National Treasure!!

Levon Helm, the drummer, was a genius. It is a shame how those guys ended up at odds with each other. They were a brief but brilliant flame. Hell, Bob Dylan hung out at their house. The Weight is the best feel good song of all time.

That was a great collaboration 👏

The Staples will melt your ears. Mavis Staples can bring me to tears in 2 minutes.

Those bands from the 60's and 70's were just so talented. Not only did they write the songs, sing and play the instruments, most of them also drove the bus, worked the mixing board, and set up the equipment. No filters, no auto-tune, no second takes, just great artists leaving it all out there on the stage. I love every voice and note in this classic track.

Check out the whole "Last Waltz" soundtrack. Some legendary performers in there. Thank you, sweet baby girl, for taking me back to hear it all again through your young people ears. There's so much that has gone before. Thank you for rediscovering it for us. ✌

The music back in the sixties and seventies really were two great decades for music

This is what I wish our country can someday be.

Love love loved that from Alabama thanks for that beautiful reaction

The world truly misses musicians like this, it's music that makes you feel good. Everything today is either too angry, or too loud, or too fast, or too computerized, or auto-turned.

Fun fact: The scottish band "Nazareth" took their name from the opening lyrics of this song.

Your reactions are Golden ! It's all in your sweet smile and expression as you're feelin it !! You brighten a day. Thanks !!!

MY NAME IS JERRY, THE MAN ON DRUMS IS MY COUSIN LEVON HELM FROM AROUND MARVELL ARKANSAS WHERE I LIVE STILL, THEY WERE A GREAT GROUP EVEN WORKED WITH RONNIE HAWKINS ''THE HAWK, AND BOB DILLON AND OTHERS I STILL HAVE THE RAYBANS MARK GAVE ME ''LEVON '' AFTER HE DONE A MOVIE CALLED THE ''RIGHT STUFF LEVON DONE A FEW MOVIES WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE. YOU DO A WONDERFULL JOB WITH ALL YOUR VIDIEOS THANK YOU JERRY SON OF MACK SEK ROCKABILLY LEGEND.

Great reaction, this was a legendary performance from the 1976 film The Last Waltz which was a documentary about The Band's farewell concert in San Francisco at the Cow Palace. The film is loaded with greats including Bob Dylan whom The Band played with over the years. Even Ex Beatles drummer Ringo Starr performed with The Band and Dylan doing his classic I Shall Be Released to close it out. Two more great live so song's from the film are The Night They Drove Dixie Down and Up On Cripple Creek. Those would be nice to see, you won't be disappointed. The Band were legendary performers.

If her voice doesn’t immediately fill you with an incredible amount of joy something is wrong. Like you said, it’s like a weight being lifted off of you. It really. When you hear this, everything else just falls away. I love it so much. This is THE EXACT THING that I live for.

a reaction, and not a critique, bravo m'lady, live well and react!!!!!!

Very best review by the young lady as she reacts to this discovery.

You listening to the Staples, you are in church.

The Band were the white group. The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. Roebuck "Pops" Staples, the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha, Pervis, and Mavis.

I saw the Band back in 1972, amazing show! Robbie Robinson just passed in Aug 2023. Most of the band members and Pop Staples passed as well, their music lives on! Thanks for the authentic reaction!

I was lucky to see this band “The Band”. Once n They were as Amazing as this Beautiful Host R.R.

I using this song to help me fight depression 😁👍

Love this song and your reaction check out Up on cripple creek by the Band

I love your reaction to this timeless song

You are such a lovely person. Peace to you buddy

Yes Rxyce, this collaboration was and is legendary. Two incredible bands that together created a masterpiece; especially at a time when people needed to see diversity coming together to do something great, and it was more than great. Beautiful is not a strong enough word for this performance.

The Weight (RIP Levon Helm 🙏), and The Staples 🙌. You've got to do a review of The Staples songs "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There" recorded at Muscle Shoals FAME Studios. A lot of great music came out of that studio with artists from Country, Rock, Soul, R&B from the 60s through the 80s...

That's a top shelf gumbo of musical talent right there. Mix it all together and it comes out ... TASTY!

Watching you react to these videos is complete joy! You are beautiful and I love your smile. God bless you young lady.

Also, The Staples are the world's best backups.

Yes it is a "feel good " song. It has been said that this song "The Weight" transcends space and time, and brings many disparate people and ideas together. There is a movement called playing for change, and they often record songs *played around the world* Their recordings feature singers and musicians around the world all playing the same song "Together" Playing For Change feature Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson (from The Band - and in the video you react to here) and a ton of others well known and unknown around the world ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ph1GU1qQ1zQ.html

I love that comment: "I feel like I'm being served a 5 course meal when I expected a 2." The best reaction to this song I've seen. Thank you. I love this song... my favorite trivia bout this great tune was that Roebuck 'Pops' insisted on singing the verse he sang about Moses, and no one was going to deny him.

You just became on of my favorite reactors, rarely does someone hear all those details and just get it right in the first listen . You know your stuff.

If you liked this version PLEASE listen to The Weight - Playing for Change. It’s an international melting pot of musicians singing this iconic song. I promise it will move you to tears.

I recommend everyone watch the documentary Muscle Shoals. It's about a man with a vision, a local backup band, and talented singers such as Aretha Franklin making hit after hit after hit. You won't be disappointed.

Yes, love the staple singers. Need to listen to more staple singer songs. Do it again, and so many more

It's so fun watching young people find pleasure in song that we grew up on. I'm 65 and still remember the Staple Singers (great gospel) singing with Levon Helms (RIP, look to see him in the movie with Mark Walberg "Shooter" "Still got the shovel"). Next listen the Robbie Roberson tune, "Somewhere down the crazy River" "Oh, This is sure stirring up some ghosts for me, You like it now, but you'll learn to love it later".

That mavis staples legendary singer

The last waltz I wore this dvd out on Mavis staples and the van Morrison caravan tracks

I absolutely love your reaction videos. You are the most genuine out there. And absolutely stunning - doesn't hurt. This song was absolutely amazing. Thanks

The weight. One of my all time favorites. There's just something about it that makes you feel good.

Allow me to say this wasn't their final performance though it was billed as such and they did stop touring for some time. Personally, I saw them in 1994 in Washington DC and though older, they still gave a great performance. I was a little surprised they played 'The Weight' as the third song in the concert. I figured they would leave it as their encore. Shows what I know. When the concert ended and the fans were all yelling for an encore, the house lights came up and that was it. No encore. Still, one of my favorite groups.

Another great reaction! ✌️

Love, love, love Mavis. Just a treasure. This is a great collab 👏🏾❤👏🏾

There's like one more second of the song where Mavis just whispers "beautiful" and yes this rendition is just amazing. Great reaction!