What was the Hells Angel's issue with The Last Waltz documentary?

The Hells Angel poet Sweet William was upset that his poem had been edited and shortened for the film, and he threatened violence unless his demands were met.

How did Robbie Robertson and Martin Scorsese resolve the Hells Angel's hostage situation?

They suggested letting the head of the Oakland Hells Angels, Sonny Barger, review the footage and decide if the edits were acceptable, which ultimately led to Sweet William agreeing to have his poem removed from the film.

What was the outcome of the Hells Angel's violent outburst during The Last Waltz filming?

The situation was resolved without police involvement, allowing the production to move forward and the iconic music documentary to be completed.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Hells Angel's Violent Outburst Threatens to Derail Iconic Music Documentary

Hells Angel's Violent Outburst Threatens to Derail Iconic Music Documentary

10 Nov

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Summary

Hells Angel threatens to disrupt filming of The Last Waltz documentary
Demands $1,000, cocaine, and inclusion of full poem in the film
Robbie Robertson's memoir reveals behind-the-scenes drama

Hells Angel's Violent Outburst Threatens to Derail Iconic Music Documentary

In 1978, the filming of the iconic music documentary The Last Waltz was nearly derailed by a violently disgruntled Hells Angel. The film, co-produced by the Band's guitarist Robbie Robertson, who passed away in 2023, captured the Band's farewell performance in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day 1976, featuring a star-studded lineup of guests including Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan.

However, as Robertson reveals in his new memoir, Insomnia, one of the guest performers, a Hells Angel poet named Sweet William, became enraged after his poem was edited for the film. Sweet William and his Hells Angel friend locked the production assistants in the theater, making demands for cash, drugs, and the inclusion of his full poem. The situation escalated, with Sweet William threatening to harm the assistants if his demands were not met.