The Weight Band, the re-imagined band of legendary rock group The Band, will perform Sunday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. at South Orange Performing Arts Center. The Weight Band is dedicated to honoring the legacy of The Band and is comprised of former members and those who have worked closely with The Band over the decades. Audiences will enjoy an unforgettable performance and hear timeless hits like "The Weight," "Up On Cripple Creek," "Ophelia," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Rag Mama Rag" and so many others. The Chicago Sun Times proclaimed "The Weight carries on where The Band left off."
In addition to classic The Band songs, The Weight Band has released a new album of original material, packaged for today's vibrant Americana base and capturing The Band's rich musical tradition. Released in February 2018, World Gone Mad is an Americana/Roots masterpiece of the Woodstock sound.
The Band was a group that was a constant turnstile of talent and energy. The original framework of The Band began in 1958 with Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks. Eventually Ronnie Hawkins left, and the remaining Hawks, after numerous lineup changes, became the band famously known as The Band. The original lineup consisted of Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson. They released their breakout record Music From Big Pink in July of 1968.
The Band enjoyed decades of success, collaborating and performing with legends like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison. Throughout the years The Band had several brief hiatuses, each time reforming with a slightly different lineup. Current Weight Band member Jim Weider joined The Band lineup in 1983 and stayed with The Band until their final studio release in 1998.
The current line-up of The Weight Band is Jim Weider, Michael Bram, Brian Mitchell, Matt Zeiner and Albert Rogers.
The Weight Band will play the South Orange Performing Arts Center on December 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28-$38. They can be purchased at www.SOPACnow.org/Weight-Band or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.
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