The Shape I'm In: The Sad Story Of Richard Manuel
Out of nine lives, I've spent seven. Now, how in the world do you get to Heaven? Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in.
Those were the lyrics Robbie Robertson wrote about Richard Manuel, The Band's piano player, singer, songwriter and drummer. It was that feeling that everyone in The Band had about him. Sadly they were correct. His talent couldn't overcome his demons.
Last weekend I wrote about the Robbie/Levon feud. As sad as that story is, this one tops it easily.
Richard Manuel was just 18 when he joined Ronnie Hawkins band. The other members that eventually became The Band were already in place.
Hawkins was in awe of his playing. He watched him on piano and said he was better than Van Cliburn. His problem was that he was already an alcoholic.
When The Band went out on their own, Manuel was as much a songwriter as Robertson. He contributed four songs on their debut album, "Music From Big Pink". It went downhill from there.
Although the composing dried up, his voice was heard on some of The Band's most memorable songs. Besides "The Shape I'm In", there was "Across The Great Divide", "King Harvest" and "Rockin' Chair".
The drinking worsened. Manuel was drinking eight bottle of Grand Marnier every day.
Levon Helm:"He was drinking pretty hard, but once he got started...man, drums, piano, play it all, sing, do a lead in one of those high, hardassed keys. Richard just knew how a song was suppose to go."
When The Band moved from the East to Malibu, California, his habits worsened. In addition to the drinking, he picked up a Cocaine habit. He became an easy target for every dealer in Los Angeles.
His first wife and mother of his two children, Jane said, "People thought it was amusing watching this guy drown."
Robbie Robertson: "He scares us to death. We didn't know what the next day would bring."
That was a big problem for The Band and especially Robertson. They never knew if Manuel would show up and if he did what his condition would be. Makes it hard to work. That as much as the traveling was responsible for Robertson leaving The Band. He was tired of the babysitting.
After The Last Waltz, Manuel moved in with Garth Hudson. He entered rehab and became sober for the first time in many years. He did some solo gigs, played with Hudson and Rick Danko and even found the woman who became his second wife, Arlie.
In 1983, The Band reformed without Robbie Robertson. All was well until January of 1986 when manager and mentor Albert Grossman died. Grossman's death along with The Band playing small venues and not producing new music sent Manuel spiraling into a depression. That brought back both his alcohol and cocaine addictions.
On March 4, 1986, The Band had a show near Orlando, Florida. All went well and afterwards, Manuel was talking with Levon Helm until around 2:30 am.
He said he needed something from his room, but he never returned. Hours later, Arlie found him hanging from a shower rod in the bathroom. Her screams brought Helm and Danko. They struggled to get him down but it was too late.
Richard Manuel was dead at age 42.
Among the tributes were songs by The Band, Robbie Robertson and Eric Clapton. Clapton shared some of Manuel's issues and they became very close. Clapton felt Manuel was the soul of The Band.
In March of 1986, that soul was gone.
Save your neck or save your brother. Looks like it's one or the other. Oh you don't know the shape I'm in.
What ever happened to Garth Hudson and Rick Danko? Find out next weekend.
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