Springsteen and Clapton on their favorite, heh, band.

I wonder why Clapton never tried to join The Band after Robbie dropped out? It would have been an interesting experiment and might have given the rest of the guys a much higher profile. Maybe he felt they were too far gone or felt that Robbie was the songwriter and the driving force?

@tomcy6: Because at the time of The Last Waltz, the plan was to take some time off, then later regroup to recommence recording. Robertson wanted to get off the record/tour/record/tour merry-go-round, which he thought was an unhealthy lifestyle. In his book Testify, Robertson says for some reason that just never materialized. I don't think it could have, given Levon's feelings toward Robertson.

Also, while in '68 Clapton wanted to be in The Band in the worst way, by November 25th of 1976 he had established his own "brand", and had a healthy career that he liked going.

As for The Band, they brought in Jim Weider on Telecaster guitar to replace Robertson, a better player in my estimation. But Weider isn't a songwriter, and I don't think Clapton's writing would have fit The Band. And then there is the fact that Levon didn't want to be a backing band for a frontman, which would certainly have been the public's perception had Clapton joined.

It was their lack of new material (both Rick Danko and Richard Manuel never again writing as they had for Music From Big Pink and to a lesser extent the brown album) that crippled The Band Mk.2. And then Richard Manuel committed suicide, a fatal blow. One of the best singers in the history of Rock 'n' Roll, impossible to replace.

As either Clapton or Springsteen said in one of the clips I referenced in the op, The Band were "A miracle".

@bdp24

And then Richard Manuel committed suicide, a fatal blow.

I saw them in concert the night before. I had a great time, even without Robertson, they were great.

I was completely shocked to hear that news a day later.

@bkeske: The night before! Upon hearing the news, I for the first, last, and only time cried at the passing of a musician or singer. I'm tearing up now; I loved Richard SO much. So did Clapton.

@bdp24 

Yep, the night before, and Richard seemed to be in great spirits from what anyone could tell. Strange.

Yea, after I heard the news, as terrible as it was, I was also thankful I got to see them, for what was, their last performance. Sad, but thankful.