The universally- acclaimed debut studio album by The Band, "Music From Big Pink," was released on this day in 1968. Though not necessarily to everyone's musical tastes at the time, this "roots rock" album was highly influential for other musicians, including CSNY, Pink Floyd and Eric Clapton. We're featuring not the best known cut ("The Weight"), but the two cuts that closed the album, "This Wheel's on Fire" (written by Bob Dylan and bass guitarist Rick Danko, who sings lead) and "I Shall Be Released" (written by Dylan and sung by pianist Richard Manuel). Sadly, three of The Band, Manuel (d. 1986), Danko (d. 1999), and Levon Helm (d. 2012) have been "released," leaving only Robbie Robertson and Garth Hudson as surviving members. Album cover art by Bob Dylan. Hope you enjoy.
