Levon’s Man

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 he 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.

Author Joe Forno Jr. retired recently as a pharmacist. He was born and raised in Woodstock, NY. This is his first book.

“This is a personal story of kindred spirits and the history they made together. Through triumph and unimaginable tragedies, Joe Forno steered the ship throughout their journey with a steady hand and a strong heart, the kind of DNA that’s inherent in the Catskill Mountains and Woodstock. Levon and The Band sensed this early on and wove him into the intricate tapestry of their lives.” ~Cindy Cashdollar

233 pages. Trim size 6 x 9 inches. Softcover. 37 black and white illustrations. Bearsville Publishing. ©2021. $18.95