Yesterday would have been The Band’s drummer and singer, Levon Helm’s 81st birthday, had he not passed away from throat cancer in 2012. There’s a great couple of music documentary’s on Helm as well as Robbie Robertson.
Helm’s documentary is called Ain’t In It For My Health – A Film About Levon Helm and Robbie Robertson’s documentary about himself, The Band, his love for Helm and other life accomplishments is called Once Were Brothers – Robbie Robertson and The Band. Both are highly recommended!
The Band – Don’t Do It
Marvin Gaye recorded the Holland-Dozier-Holland song, “Baby Don’t You Do It” in 1964, taking it to #27 on the Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 Singles charts.
The Band has recorded the song many different times on different releases. It was the live version from 1972’s ‘Rock Of Ages’ double album, that “Don’t Do It” (dropping the ‘Baby’ from the title) that is considered the definitive version. It made it to the charts, peaking at #34. Billboard called this version “dynamite dance treatment.”
The video below is from the concert documentary The Last Waltz from 1976, directed by Martin Scorsese.
