Richard George Manuel (April 3, 1943 – March 4, 1986) was a Canadian composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his contributions and membership in The Band. Richard Manuel was born in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. His father Ed was a mechanic employed by Chrysler, and his mother was a schoolteacher. He was raised with his three brothers, and the four sang in the church choir. Manuel took piano lessons beginning when he was nine, and enjoyed playing piano and rehearsing with his friends at his home. Some of his childhood influences were Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, Jimmy Reed and Otis Rush. He was given the nickname "The Beak" by his friends because of his prominent nose. (wikipedia) The Band was unique for many reasons, one of which having 3 “lead” singers – Richard, Rick Danko and Levon Helm. Though the others were very capable in their own right, none were the equal of Richard. "Richard Manuel was a whole show unto himself. He was hot. He was about the best singer I'd ever heard; most people said he reminded them of Ray Charles. He'd do those ballads, and the ladies would swoon. To me that became the highlight of our show." --Levon Helm "I was madly in love with Richard... At the time, [1975] we had the same troubles. I felt insecure and he was clearly insecure, and yet he was so incredibly gifted....For me he [Richard] was the true light of the Band. The other guys were fantastic talents, of course, but there was something of the holy madman about Richard. He was raw. When he sang in that high falsetto the hair on my neck would stand on end. Not many people can do that." --Eric Clapton When the Band broke up and went their separate ways, life was very difficult for Richard. It was said that he was drinking up to 12 bottles of Grand Marnier a day. After I read that I cracked open a bottle of that stuff I have laying around and it is very strong, I felt like it was almost syrupy and could hardly even manage a double, or was it a triple? All the members of The Band were having financial troubles, with the exception of Robbie Robertson. (We’ll save that story for another time). So The Band had to hit the road again, minus Robertson, and whereas before they were performing in large stadiums and arenas, now it was seedy night clubs and bars. Sort of like starting over again. The Band’s website tells the story of Richard’s suicide. “Richard Manuel’s jumping-off point for out yonder turned out to be a motel room in a sleepy Florida town called Winter Park, a suburb of Orlando. That night--it was March 3, 1986--a truncated version of The Band had played the Cheek to Cheek Lounge, a humbling comedown from the heated days when they toured with Bob Dylan and played festivals like the Isle of Wight. Early the next morning, after a night of booze and drugs, he got out of the bed where he lay with his wife, went into the bathroom and hanged himself. He was a month short of forty-three, a man victimized by the promises and betrayals of rock and roll. Ten years later, his friends and family still aren't sure why he did it, if they can accept that he did it at all.” Levon Helm, in his book, This Wheel’s on Fire, never did understand it. He and Richard had spent that last evening together sharing a few drinks, laughs and just reminiscing. What transpired in Richard’s mind from the time he left Levon’s suite and returned to his own, is a mystery to this day. The first person I ever knew who committed suicide was a casual acquaintance. Tom D. was probably 18 or so when he asphyxiated himself in a running car. He never gave us any inclination that he was going through tough times. I even remember spending an afternoon in his parent’s house listening to Cheech and Chong records. I also had a pastor who preached one Sunday on suicide. He said that suicide is the one sin no one can repent of and that person will end up in hell. I don’t know, I’m far from being a theologian. I like to think Jesus is very compassionate and knows how tough life is, and how fragile we can be from time to time. So if I met Richard at a party I’d ask him, “Why?”
Saturday, November 21, 2009
PEOPLE I'D LIKE TO MEET AT A PARTY (AND WHY) #3
Richard George Manuel (April 3, 1943 – March 4, 1986) was a Canadian composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his contributions and membership in The Band. Richard Manuel was born in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. His father Ed was a mechanic employed by Chrysler, and his mother was a schoolteacher. He was raised with his three brothers, and the four sang in the church choir. Manuel took piano lessons beginning when he was nine, and enjoyed playing piano and rehearsing with his friends at his home. Some of his childhood influences were Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, Jimmy Reed and Otis Rush. He was given the nickname "The Beak" by his friends because of his prominent nose. (wikipedia) The Band was unique for many reasons, one of which having 3 “lead” singers – Richard, Rick Danko and Levon Helm. Though the others were very capable in their own right, none were the equal of Richard. "Richard Manuel was a whole show unto himself. He was hot. He was about the best singer I'd ever heard; most people said he reminded them of Ray Charles. He'd do those ballads, and the ladies would swoon. To me that became the highlight of our show." --Levon Helm "I was madly in love with Richard... At the time, [1975] we had the same troubles. I felt insecure and he was clearly insecure, and yet he was so incredibly gifted....For me he [Richard] was the true light of the Band. The other guys were fantastic talents, of course, but there was something of the holy madman about Richard. He was raw. When he sang in that high falsetto the hair on my neck would stand on end. Not many people can do that." --Eric Clapton When the Band broke up and went their separate ways, life was very difficult for Richard. It was said that he was drinking up to 12 bottles of Grand Marnier a day. After I read that I cracked open a bottle of that stuff I have laying around and it is very strong, I felt like it was almost syrupy and could hardly even manage a double, or was it a triple? All the members of The Band were having financial troubles, with the exception of Robbie Robertson. (We’ll save that story for another time). So The Band had to hit the road again, minus Robertson, and whereas before they were performing in large stadiums and arenas, now it was seedy night clubs and bars. Sort of like starting over again. The Band’s website tells the story of Richard’s suicide. “Richard Manuel’s jumping-off point for out yonder turned out to be a motel room in a sleepy Florida town called Winter Park, a suburb of Orlando. That night--it was March 3, 1986--a truncated version of The Band had played the Cheek to Cheek Lounge, a humbling comedown from the heated days when they toured with Bob Dylan and played festivals like the Isle of Wight. Early the next morning, after a night of booze and drugs, he got out of the bed where he lay with his wife, went into the bathroom and hanged himself. He was a month short of forty-three, a man victimized by the promises and betrayals of rock and roll. Ten years later, his friends and family still aren't sure why he did it, if they can accept that he did it at all.” Levon Helm, in his book, This Wheel’s on Fire, never did understand it. He and Richard had spent that last evening together sharing a few drinks, laughs and just reminiscing. What transpired in Richard’s mind from the time he left Levon’s suite and returned to his own, is a mystery to this day. The first person I ever knew who committed suicide was a casual acquaintance. Tom D. was probably 18 or so when he asphyxiated himself in a running car. He never gave us any inclination that he was going through tough times. I even remember spending an afternoon in his parent’s house listening to Cheech and Chong records. I also had a pastor who preached one Sunday on suicide. He said that suicide is the one sin no one can repent of and that person will end up in hell. I don’t know, I’m far from being a theologian. I like to think Jesus is very compassionate and knows how tough life is, and how fragile we can be from time to time. So if I met Richard at a party I’d ask him, “Why?”
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