This Wheel's on Fire (book)

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This article is about the book. For the song of the same title, see This Wheel's on Fire (song).

This Wheel's on Fire - Levon Helm and the Story of The Band is the 1993 autobiography of actor and musician Levon Helm, focusing on his career as a member of the rock group The Band. The book traces Helm's life from his childhood in the deep south through his years as a drummer and singer for The Band, to his struggle to establish a professional identity in the wake of The Band's official end in 1976.

The book is notable for providing readers with an inside look at the evolution of a rock 'n' roll group, as well as for placing the blame for The Band's break-up—among other injustices—on the shoulders of Robbie Robertson, the guitarist for The Band. Among the accusations Helm makes against Robertson is conspiring with record companies to steal song-writing credits from other members of The Band, arranging the group's break-up as a part of a private agenda, and conspiring with The Last Waltz director Martin Scorsese (a personal friend of Robertson's) to make Robertson appear to be the leader and most important member of the group. Helm's bitterness toward Robertson is balanced by his effusive praise of other musicians, especially other members of The Band (even pausing to admire Robertson's stage presence and talent as a guitarist).

v • d • e The Band Original members Robbie Robertson • Rick Danko • Richard Manuel • Garth Hudson • Levon Helm Other members and related people Ronnie Hawkins • Bob Dylan • John Simon • Allen Toussaint • Jim Weider • Randy Ciarlante • Richard Bell • Stan Szelest Studio albums Music from Big Pink • The Band • Stage Fright • Cahoots • Moondog Matinee • Planet Waves • The Basement Tapes • Northern Lights - Southern Cross • Islands • Jericho • High On The Hog • Jubilation Live albums Rock of Ages • Before the Flood • The Last Waltz (album) • Live at Watkins Glen • The Last Waltz (box) Compilations The Best of The Band • Anthology • To Kingdom Come • Across The Great Divide • The Best of The Band, Vol. II • Greatest Hits • A Musical History • From Bacon Fat to Judgement Day Songs The Weight • This Wheel's on Fire • I Shall Be Released • Up on Cripple Creek • The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down • Don't Do It • Acadian Driftwood • Tears of Rage Related topics The Last Waltz • This Wheel's on Fire • Capitol Records • Americana • Summer Jam at Watkins Glen