Levon's Man: Woodstock, the Death of Richard Manuel, and My Decade Managing The Band

by Joe Forno Jr.

Here is an inside look behind the scenes of The Band and how they recovered from the suicide of vocalist and pianist Richard Manuel in 1986. Joe Forno Jr. writes about the history of Woodstock, where he was born and raised, and how the town embraced musicians as it had artists in the early years of its art colony.
Like his father, Joe became close to the members of The Band and managed the group from 1986 through 1994. The reader learns of the tragedies and triumphs of that time, from the deaths of Manuel and Stan Szelest, who replaced him, to the release of Jericho, the first new music by The Band since The Last Waltz. It includes the story of the fire that destroyed Levon Helm's barn studio and home, and the subsequent rebuilding. The book traces The Band's performances at the "30th Anniversary Bob Dylan Concert" and at the "Blue Jeans Bash," at the Clinton presidential inauguration in 1993. Levon's Man also tells the story of the 1994 induction of The Band into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and their performance at "Woodstock '94," the 25th anniversary of the "Woodstock Festival." This is an unforgettable saga of friendship, loyalty, and celebration of American music and culture at a crossroads.

Genres: Music

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2021

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a surprisingly good companion piece to the biography of Richard Manuel for those few of us, I imagine, who are interested in what happened to The Band after Richard's unfortunate demise. Joe Forno, a local Woodstock pharmacist, became the glue that held the group together as their manager and he tells the story in a down to earth and very sincere way. There are lots of interesting anecdotes about the group as well as a brief informative history of the Woodstock, NY area. The writing is plain, but it feels quite authentic. Joe loved Levon Helm and paints him in as positive light as he can, but he still can't conceal what a hardheaded pain in the ass Levon was. If you loved The Band, you will like this book. If you don't, well it doesn't matter as I doubt you have read this far anyway.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story by Joe Forno Jr. was a very chronologically written memoir. According to this book The Band in its last iteration owes much to the Forno family who enabled them to continue to make music with the input of energy and money that sustained ' the boys' through their last decades of music making . This book told a tragic story; the death of Richard Manuel at such a young age by his own hands. It actually brought me to tears at one point. Then there was the financial betrayal of of Joe by Levon Helm which raises the age old question of : How to appreciate the artist when we are made aware they are not moral paragons of virtue? What do we do with that knowledge ?

[jboyg · Rating 3 out of 5]

At Times Interesting Tale of The Band's Post-last Waltz Story.

I still love TheBand and this history of Joe Forno's long-time friendship and latter day management of the boys is filled with interesting tidbits and bio-info. He is not a great writer but does a workman like of pulling their story together, warts and all.

[Dan Bulluck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primarily about the Band, post Richard Manuel, but I found the first half very interesting with facts about the village of Woodstock and the early evolution of the Band. I found it a good read and a must read for anyone who follows the Band.

[Edith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat interesting and ultimately sad story of the friendship between the author and the Band.

[Wayne Sieber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains lots of interesting behind the scenes info about The Band especially for the post Last Waltz era.

[joan moritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for the memories

The book was informative, and captured Joes true self.
But Hey,you never listed Jeff Gonzalez in your thank you post.
I know when I left we weren't friends. But I do wish you the best