Across the Great Divide
In April 1969, The Band played their first show as officially The Band at Bill Graham's Winterland. After what seemed like numerous accidents, contract frustrations, and just sheer exhaustion from being on the road for so many years, the boys seemed ready to tackle the world. On April 17, they got ready to introduce their first live show as an independent group. However, there was an issue that memorialized the show as not just their first, but also with a bizarre incident... Robbie Robertson became ill with the flu suddenly and it seemed like he would not be able to perform. As their lead guitarist, this could cause the show to be a catastrophe. With a need for a quick intervention, Bill Graham in true late 60s fashion brought in a hypnotist that he knew to work some magic on Robbie. Everyone was speculative as to how (and if) this would actually work, but after a two-hour show delay, he suddenly felt the illness pass and was able to go on. Spectators at the show say that Robbie w...