---
product_id: 56915057
title: "Testimony: A Memoir Paperback – October 3, 2017"
brand: "robbie robertson"
price: "₪116"
currency: ILS
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 4
url: https://www.desertcart.co.il/products/56915057-testimony-a-memoir-paperback-october-3-2017
store_origin: IL
region: Israel
---

# Testimony: A Memoir Paperback – October 3, 2017

**Brand:** robbie robertson
**Price:** ₪116
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** Testimony: A Memoir Paperback – October 3, 2017 by robbie robertson
- **How much does it cost?** ₪116 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.il](https://www.desertcart.co.il/products/56915057-testimony-a-memoir-paperback-october-3-2017)

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ TESTIMONY is a classic of Rock N Roll-centered literature
*by B***9 on November 17, 2016*

The majority of great writing about Rock N Roll has been done by either journalists (Lester Bangs, of "Cream" magazine, Jann Wenner and Ben-Fong Torres of "Rolling Stone") or Academics with journalistic experience (Peter Guralnick, LAST TRAIN TO MEMPHIS, CARELESS LOVE, DREAM BOOGIE and SAM PHILLIPS). But every once in a while, one of those "in the trenches" with enough writing talent manages to cobble up either a highly readable tome (BORN TO RUN by Bruce Springsteen) or a highly readable, hard-to-look-away-from tell-alls (I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD by Crystal Zevon). Every now and then, one of them writes a true classic: like TESTIMONY by Robbie Robertson.Yeah, Robertson's memoir of his early days as a rock N roll guitarist -- and founding member of "the Band" -- contains some of the "Entertainment Tonight" kind of material -- like an affair with Carly Simon (Robertson played guitar on "Mockingbird") -- but it's kept to a minimum. For the most part, Robertson sticks to narration about making music, writing songs, and the more than occasional encounter with an icon. And those encounters with icons make for both humorous as well as insightful tales of the men and women who became famous Rock N rollers: Robertson's fortuitous timing in his travels with Ronnie Hawkins and, later, the group that would become known as The Band, had him bumping into Jimmi Hendrix, the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond and, of course, Bob Dylan.His first encounter with an icon -- when still a young, 15-year-old, fan -- was with Buddy Holly, who was so down-to-earth he shared a tip on how to get the "Buddy Holly" sound while playing guitar. Other memorable stories involve everyone from Dylan (naturally) and Keith Moon -- both saved from drowning, oddly enough (one in a bathtub, one in the ocean) -- to run-ins with Marlon Brando and Salvador Dali.And, of course, the heart of the story: Robertson's time with The Band, from its formation (when Robertson and fellow Canadians, Manuel, Hudson and Danko, joined up with Ronnie Hawkins and his drummer, Levon Helm) to its eventual break-up, which was initiated by Robertson (who had had enough of the Rock N Roll band touring life). As noted by others, Robertson doesn't delve deeply into the issue of song-writing credit; but he DOES tell some tales that should offer enough proof of authorship (such as seeing the label, "Nazareth, PA" inside of an acoustic guitar, before he wrote "The Weight"). Likely due to respect (for his fellow bandmates) and NOT having the need to prove himself, Robertson doesn't get into details about the semi-famous (in Rock circles, and in fan circles) Levon Helm-fomented feud over song-writing royalties. But anyone truly wondering about the truth of the matter could have seen, long ago, that Levon Helm never had what it took to be a writer (6 post band albums bearing his name contain not a single Helm-penned tune), and that Danko and Manuel didn't have the drive it takes to continue with their fledgling efforst after "Music From Big Pink" (Danko mainly co-wrote songs with others; Manuel managed to pen a few songs of his own, and co-write a few others). Danko's lack of writing ambition led to only an album or two in the Post-band era (containing mostly co-written material, or old, Robbie Robertson material) and Richard Manuel's problems with drugs and then alcoholism led to an early loss of self-control and an early demise.Aside from the fact that his ego and insecurities got the better of him -- so he spent too many waking moments spreading untruths about Robertson -- one particular revelation about talented drummer and vocalist Levon Helm explains a lot of the paranoia that seeped through his bitter comments: he was a heroin addict. At one point, Robertson gives up on the friendship when he discovers Helm didn't actually give up his heroin, as he had claimed (having first discovered Robertson, Helm and the rest of The Band via "the Last Waltz", in hindsight this revelation isn't so shocking: after all, in "The Last Waltz", Helm can be seen smoking a cigarette AND chewing tobacco at the same time -- talk about addictive personalities!)TESTIMONY ends with the making of "The Last Waltz", the legendary Rock N Roll documentary by Martin Scorcese, and with the break-up of "The Band". In a few interviews, Robertson has noted that he cut this book from 800 pages down to its current length, ending at a natural point with The Band's break-up. And that he is planning to write a second volume. Which is great news for those who enjoy erudite, insightful writing about musicians and the music they make. TESTIMONY is a classic of Rock N Roll-centered literature. I can't wait for the "sequel".

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great by itself and as a counterpoint to Levon's book
*by J***N on May 27, 2025*

I read this book right after Levon's, so it had a tall order to meet. It doesn't always have the authentic down-home storytelling energy of Levon's, but it does have a firmer structure, and its focus is different enough that it rarely feels like I'm reading the same story again. Good stuff.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Lot of Early Trivia
*by K***8 on May 12, 2025*

As a musician, I found fascinating a lot of stories about the early days of Ronnie and the Hawks, and then becoming Dylan's back-up band, and later, The Band. However, there is a lot of trivia that might not be for everyone, including, for example, Robertson talking about various girlfriends and one night stands, or taking credit for recommending the tune "Just Like a Woman" to Richie Havens. Really?For the rest of the story, highly recommend Levon Helm's "This Wheel's on Fire".

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*Product available on Desertcart Israel*
*Store origin: IL*
*Last updated: 2026-01-23*