Testimony
A Memoir
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4.4 • 173 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this “robust, wry, gritty, and wise” (The Wall Street Journal) memoir, Robbie Robertson tells the spellbinding story of the band that changed music history, his extraordinary personal journey, and his creative friendships with some of the greatest artists of the twentieth century.
The basis for the documentary Once Were Brothers, executive produced by Martin Scorsese, Brian Grazer, and Ron Howard
“Testimony reads like one long, grand adventure through rock’s golden age, as told by a world-class raconteur.”—Billboard
“High-spirited, hugely enjoyable, and generous from start to finish.”—The New York Times Book Review
Robbie Robertson’s singular contributions to popular music have made him one of the most beloved songwriters and guitarists of his time. With songs like “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and “Up on Cripple Creek,” he and his partners in the Band fashioned a music that has endured for decades and changed the language of rock ’n’ roll, first with Bob Dylan and then on their own.
In Testimony, Robbie employs his unique storyteller’s voice to weave together the journey that led him to some of the most pivotal events in music history. This is the story of revolution as the world tumbled through the ’60s and early ’70s, and a generation came of age, built on music, love, and freedom. Above all, it’s the moving story of the profound friendship between five young men who together created a new kind of popular music.
Testimony is Robbie Robertson’s story, lyrical and true, as only he could tell it.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Recounted in the rambling, melodic cadence of a folk-rock bard, Robbie Robertson’s memoir is a captivating tour through the Canadian musician’s ascent and acme. The book covers everything from his stint as a scrappy upstart backing Ronnie Hawkins through his glory days with The Band. Like The Last Waltz, Testimony offers backstage glimpses into the life of traveling rock ’n’ rollers. Robertson is a particularly stellar storyteller—his anecdotes are anchored in vivid language and rich details. Reading this book is like slipping backstage to hobnob with Hell’s Angels and the hirsute legends of rock.
Customer Reviews
The Band books
Read Levon’s book now Robbie’s
Both good from different perspectives.
Very Disappointing!!!
Robinson jumps from event from event like an orangutan leaping from tree to tree. And while he does cover most events, the book comes to a screeching halt at "The Last Waltz" concert in 1976.
After “The Last Waltz” the group never played together again as a band. Robinson it seems just hung up his hat and walked away. Conveniently he’s pushed the Delete Button on the rest of his life. Mysteriously there’s not a word of his titanic riff with Levon Helm who, to quote Robertson, was like the brother he never had. One of the most acrimonious fallouts in rock history which lasted right up until Helm’s death in 2012 was not even a footnote in “Testimony”. Neither was there any mention of Richard Manuel’s bizarre suicide in 1986 nor Rick Danko's untimely demise in 1999. And not a peep about his divorce from his alcoholic wife.
It’s possible Robertson is planning another memoir post 1976. But he shot his wad with this book. He’s not getting another dime out of me.
Good read
I enjoyed this book. But like other rock autobiographies, I'm always let down when I learn that people I've placed upon a pedestal and admired for so long have feet of clay. Robbie also spent too much time on his early days. I know Levon hated him to the bitter end, but if it weren't for Robbie, the Band simply would not have existed.