On This Day in 1976: The Band Bid Farewell With ‘The Last Waltz,’ Joined by Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Clapton, and More
Photo by David Gans, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Final Show at Winterland
On November 25, 1976, The Band took the stage for what was announced as their last concert. The event was held at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco and fell on American Thanksgiving Day, giving the night an added sense of occasion. Fans arrived knowing they were seeing a major moment in rock history, as the group had decided to step away from touring after years on the road.
The show was produced by promoter Bill Graham and featured a long list of special guests. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond and others joined The Band throughout the night. Their appearances highlighted how deeply The Band had influenced and connected with musicians across different styles.
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A Night Built Around Music and Community
Before the concert began, fans in attendance were treated to a full Thanksgiving dinner. Tables were placed across the ballroom floor, and the meal included turkey, desserts, and a décor that gave the space an almost formal feel. Many who were there later remembered this part of the evening just as clearly as the performance itself, as it created a sense of community before the music even started.
Once the concert began, The Band moved through songs that covered their history while bringing out guests for key moments. Many of these performances would later appear on the soundtrack tied to the film released two years later. The mix of old favorites, collaborations, and surprises gave the show the feel of a gathering rather than a typical concert.
Capturing the Event on Film
Director Martin Scorsese documented the night, working closely with the group to shape the concert into a film titled The Last Waltz. Cameras followed not only the main performances but also rehearsals and conversations behind the scenes. Scorsese’s approach created a full picture of what the night meant to the musicians involved.
The film later became known for its detailed view of the musical interactions onstage. It also gave audiences a chance to see the personalities behind the performers, adding context to the long friendships and collaborations that shaped much of the music heard that night.
A Farewell That Still Echoes
For The Band, the concert marked the end of their years as a touring act. They had begun as a backing group for Ronnie Hawkins before stepping into their own identity, and this final show brought that era to a close. Surrounded by friends and longtime collaborators, they ended their run with a performance that many still look back on as one of the most memorable in rock history.
