50 years ago today (12/31/71), The Band plays at the New York Academy of Music with a full horn section and the last of four nights there- a New Year’s run before it became a thing. The following year, highlights from the run are released the double album Rock of Ages. Although never topping the acclaim of The Last Waltz, Rock of Ages captures The Band in its most spirited form without the guests. Check out the always steaming “King Harvest (Has Surely Come)” with Richard Manuel dropping some kick-ass vocals aside the horns.
