On Day 2 of our Band Name Origins week, we turn our attention to one of the most unassuming yet iconic names in rock history: The Band. Their story starts not in the American South, where their music might suggest, but in Toronto, Ontario, where they officially formed in 1967.
But their roots go back even further. Between 1958 and 1963, they performed as The Hawks, serving as the backing band for Arkansas-born rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins. Their hard-earned reputation as top-tier musicians only grew when they began backing Bob Dylan in the mid-1960s during his controversial transition from acoustic folk to electric rock.
A turning point came in 1966 when Dylan, recovering from a motorcycle accident, retreated to Woodstock, New York. He invited The Hawks to join him there, and together they recorded the now-legendary Basement Tapes. It was during this low-key, creative period that the band came into their own.
When the time came to record music on their own, they found themselves without an official name. During their time with Dylan, everyone had simply referred to them as “the band.” At first, the members weren’t fond of the simplicity—it felt too plain. But over time, they leaned into it, appreciating both its humility and boldness. And so, The Band was born.
Their debut album, Music from Big Pink (1968), was met with immediate acclaim. Featuring three songs written or co-written by Dylan and the now-iconic “The Weight,” the album introduced a deeply influential sound—a rich blend of Americana, folk, rock, R&B, jazz, and country. Its impact was felt far and wide, inspiring artists like George Harrison, Elton John, the Grateful Dead, and Eric Clapton.
Following the success of their debut, The Band quickly became one of the most revered groups of their time. In 1969, they hit the road, performing at Winterland Ballroom, the Woodstock Festival, and the Isle of Wight alongside Dylan. Rolling Stone magazine was effusive in its praise, even putting them on the cover of Time in January 1970—making them the first rock group to earn that honor since The Beatles.
Their run culminated in a legendary farewell: The Last Waltz, performed on November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. With a Thanksgiving dinner for 5,000 fans and an all-star lineup—Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, and, of course, Dylan—it was a night for the ages. Martin Scorsese’s 1978 concert film of the event is now considered one of the greatest of all time and was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in 2019.
While The Band’s record sales—estimated at over 10 million worldwide—didn’t shatter industry records, their influence is immeasurable. They helped shape the sound of Americana and roots rock, leaving a legacy that echoes far beyond commercial metrics.