Producer John Simon was an integral part of the Band's classic recordings. While helping Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary), edit his rockumentary You Are What You Eat, Simon met members of Bob Dylan's backup band and repaired with them to their communal home in Saugerties, New York, to help them put together the demos that would become the Band's Music From Big Pink.

Perhaps the greatest album of what is now called "Americana," Big Pink was recorded by four Canadians (Robbie Robertson - guitar, Rick Danko - bass, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson - keyboards), an Arkansan (Levon Helm - drums), and a Yankee (Simon). The album yields fresh dividends 30 years after its release like the finest folk music, yet is unquestionably rock 'n' roll in its attitude, instrumentation, and sonics.

Simon not only produced but helped arrange and played on Big Pink, and the platinum follow-up, The Band, which was recorded in a converted pool hall in Los Angeles.

Big Pink is a sublime mixture of the traditional (the spooky murder and loyalty-unto-death ballad "Long Black Veil'), and the neotraditional (Dylan's "This Wheel's On Fire" and "I Shall Be Released," Robertson's "The Weight"). For The Band, Robertson took over writing duties and responded spectacularly with "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Up On Cripple Creek," "Rag Mama Rag," "Look Out Cleveland" and "The Unfaithful Servant." If Big Pink isn't the greatest Americana album, then The Band is.

Simon's relationship with the Band continued in the '70s as he co-produced
Stage Fright with Todd Rundgren, and co-produced (with Robertson and Rob Fraboni), conducted and arranged the Band's farewell concert/film The Last Waltz in '78. Simon reunited with a Robertson-less Band when he co-produced their Jericho in '93.