About this episode

Stephen Lewis discusses his new book on Richard Manuel, exploring the musician's life, struggles, and impact on The Band.

Stephen Lewis returns to explore his new book Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band. We explore the life and struggles of Richard Manuel, diving into his early years, his role in the Band, and the toll fame took on his confidence. We talk about the dual identity Richard held—as both a gifted performer and a deeply sensitive songwriter. The conversation covers the highs and lows of Richard’s career: the creative energy he brought to the group, his battles with addiction, and the tensions that shaped the band’s relationships. They examine the challenges of collaboration, how personal issues affected the music, and the impact of the 1980s on artists like Richard. Make sure you pre-order the book today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Guest: Stephen Lewis

Topics covered

• Richard Manuel
• The Band
• music history
• addiction
• collaboration
• fame
• songwriting

Keywords

• Richard Manuel
• Stephen Lewis
• The Band
• music
• addiction
• songwriter
• fame
• collaboration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Band, Bob Dylan, the Hawks

More episodes of The Band: A History

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• The Lost Album · February 22, 2026 · 46 min
• Richard Manuel’s Final Chapter · January 3, 2026 · 38 min
• Jim Weider · December 15, 2025 · 25 min
• Review: Robbie Robertson's Insomnia · October 27, 2025 · 11 min
• The Band is Back! · September 22, 2025 · 28 min

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