The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary Shows Lined Up For November

Three special New Zealand shows have been lined up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Martin Scorsese's landmark concert film The Last Waltz. The 1976 concert took place in Winterland, California and saw The Band joined by an all-star line up of guests including Neil Young, The Staple Singers, Dr John, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison and Muddy Waters, firmly cementing the film's place in music history. The 40th anniversary concert tour will see The Band's keyboardist Garth Hudson joined by a raft of New Zealand guests to relive the Last Waltz magic in a distinctly antipodean way. Here are the details ...

The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary Concerts

Tuesday 22nd November, Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
Wednesday 23rd November, The Opera House, Wellington
Thursday 24th November, The Civic, Auckland

Featuring... Garth Hudson (The Band), Barry Saunders, Kevin Borich, Tami Neilson, Delaney Davidson, Adam McGrath, The Bads, Dave Khan, Mike Hall, Wayne Bell, and Paddy Milner

Here's a sneak peek of the anniversary concert rehearsals underway...

PRESS RELEASE:

THE BAND CELEBRATES THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAST WALTZ WITH DELUXE CD Releasing November 11th

On Thanksgiving Day 1976, The Band took the stage for the very last time at the Winterland Theatre in San Francisco. The concert, aptly billed as The Last Waltz, has become one of the most revered performances of all time. For the show, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson were joined by an all-star group of music pioneers, including Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, and Neil Young, among others. The evening was captured on film by director Martin Scorsese. Released theatrically in April 1978 to critical acclaim, The Last Waltz is still considered by many to be the greatest concert film ever made.

The 40th Anniversary Edition (2-CD) – will include the original soundtrack with newly remastered audio from the original master tapes on two CDs. Alongside the release, The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary Concert Tour will reunite two of the creative lynchpins of the landmark event for the first time: the Band's keyboard genius Garth Hudson and their music director John Simon.

Both will perform live on stage in New Zealand this November, carrying the spirit of those unforgettable performances of 40 years ago, and sharing stories about the monumental task and seemingly effortless delivery of a gig that has passed into rock'n'roll folklore.

The Anniversary concert's handpicked rock ensemble will feature some of Aotearoa’s most seasoned and revered players, led by the Warratahs' Barry Saunders, blues guitar giant Kevin Borich, Canadian expat Tami Neilson, country journeyman Delaney Davidson, the Eastern's Adam McGrath, and more. They'll be backed by The Bads (Brett Adams and Dianne Swann), Dave Khan, Mike Hall, Wayne Bell and very special guest Paddy Milner.