The Weight provided the feel of a faster tempo though the actual tempo was the same as the studio performance. Manuel's Lowrey organ, which was mixed out of the studio recording, was prominent; and Robertson participated vocally in the choruses. In the 1970s, "The Weight" appeared on three live albums by The Band, "Rock of Ages", "Before the Flood", and "The Last Waltz". Just after their November 25, 1976, "farewell concert," The Band performed a gospel arrangement of "The Weight" with The Staple Singers that was filmed for "The Last Waltz". Mavis and Pops Staples sang second and third verse lead vocals,
Rikki and the Last Days of Earth Rikki and the Last Days of Earth Rikki and the Last Days of Earth (formerly Rikki and the Last Days on Earth) were an early British punk group. They were chronicled in 's book "". "Billboard" credited them with paving the way for 1980s new romantic acts. The band was formed in November 1976 by vocalist Rikki Sylvan (whose real name was Nicholas Condron) and guitarist Valac Van Der Veene, joined shortly afterwords by keyboardist Nik Weiss, bassist Andy Prince (also called Andy Prinz) and drummer Nigel Bartle. In May 1977, Bartle was replaced by Hugh Inge-Innes Lillingston. The band