Hard to believe that I was in that crowd.
The last time the Band ever played together was in Los Angeles at the Roxy on March 1st, 1978. It was a Rick Danko show and they came out as special guests and played a few songs together. It was actually so they could film a few more scenes for the Last Waltz, which came out later that year. I remember it was a rainy Wednesday night and I had already made plans to go. I went and saw Rick Danko anytime he played in L.A. I was a big fan. Apparently it didn't look like the show would be well attended so the radio station I was listening to made an announcement about the show, saying that you should go because there will be a special surprise. That didn't even draw that many people because when we got there we found a table right at the front. Rick came out and played a few songs and then announced his guests. The rest of the Band came out and I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I was sitting right at Robbie Robertson's feet. I will never forget. They played a few songs and everyone went crazy. They never played together in their entirety again, although they did regroup and play some shows as the Band, Robbie Robertson never played with the other four.
I will never forget being so close to them as they played. RIP Levon, you made many people happy for years. Sadly, Rick Danko and Richard Emanuel passed away years ago. I am sure they are welcoming him back in the Band right now.