Robbie Robertson = the 'Paul McCartney' of The Band

I think this is the reason why RR is hated on... like Paul McCartney, RR was the most "business-savvy" and forward-thinking member of The Band. He was always thinking about the next steps (more "responsible"), a bit more vain than the other members, was the one who caused the dissolution of his group (the Beatles also had problems festering, but Paul actually just "quit" his band). RR felt like he needed to "lead" the rest of the group, as Paul did when Brian Epstein died. RR had the vanity to want to take on that role.

If you watch the Last Waltz, guys like Richard Manuel and Rick Danko are big goofy guys... no business sense at all compared to RR. Garth was always the quiet guy, who seemed content to stay in the background. The only guy I felt challenged RR's role was Levon. I wouldn't say he was the "Lennon" to RR's McCartney, but his song singing and presence lent a HUGE dynamic and credibility to The Band's "southern/country' roots. He was also much more polished than Rick and Richie in handling band affairs.

The only problem was Levon couldn't write as well as RR. If he had put out some gems on his own as part of The Band, he would've had equal footing. Levon started as Lennon in the early days (i.e., he actually was the leader of the band as the Hawks), but he turned into George Harrison as the years went along and his song-writing abilities couldn't keep up.

Boy, they need to make a film about these guys. My pick to play Rick: Eric Bana... he needs to lose a few pounds and muscle, but Bana definitely looks like Rick from certain angles.