Levon Helm. They played in the US southern states and in Toronto bars, and in 1959 had two hit singles, Forty Days reaching the Top 50 and Mary Lou the Top 30.
There was an appearance on American Bandstand, the TV show that launched hits and careers, and there was talk of Hawkins as the new Elvis.
His success in Canada persuaded him to move up north, and he settled in Ontario. The Hawks broke up, though Helm stayed on board, and they were joined in time by Robbie Robertson, along with Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko – new Hawks in what would become the classic Band line-up.
Hawkins rehearsed long hours and demanded the highest standards: “Often we would go and play until one am and then rehearse until four,” Robertson recalled.
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