A lot of it truly was a tremendous amount of work. We were wood shedding and working on it. There were a lot of young bands th were tremendously influenced by the band. How they zero in on that. Tavis what is undeniable about it . On a were very much mission of finding people that were so extraordinary. We could be a club. We could do something and go out in the world and make a difference. It was really that serious. We played everywhere and picked up so much musicality. Where did this come from . Homework and try to gather as much as you can. Try to incorporate as much as you can. It all circled around and ended up in this book. Fans ofor the longtime the band, i expect they know the answers of these questions. Questions i want to ask about naming. How did the band get to be the band . And how did you get to be called Robbie Robertson . It was a common thing for kids at that age my first name is jamie. What do you have against jamie . I was just called something else. I finally had to answer. Stuck. I didnt argue about it. In this particular time in 1967 and 1968, there were a lot of groups with very silly names. We had been doing this for a while. And playing with bob dylan, everybody referred to us as the band. We got used to it. We are just here for the music. Tavis can you give me a sense of if there was the respect, the regard, the difference deference there ought to be or once was . I think there is always great music being made. A lot of music is made. Be taken that serious, but there is great stuff, always. Tavis the point you make now about the fact that everything is not meant what happens when that scale is imbalanced . Is not meant to be and 10 is . What will the narrative be about this years down the road . It is a reflection of the times and we are in it. Hope maybe that has some depth to it. It is hard to recognize because only time will tell. I dont think that only time will tell. Think we have ears right now that let us know that some of the stuff isnt going to hold up. You are being charitable. I willll make you dosh let you make that list. I will let you make that list. Tavis you know very well it will not hold up. It is very true, but it is not unique to this period. There is always stuff thats shallow, trendy, gimmicky. Who do you blame for that . Artist, the the industry, the bean counters . I dont blame anybody. It is what it is. Its nobodys fault. Tavis you are in a good mood today, man. It is a reflection of what we live the what we live with. There are all these different balances of it. It is valid in its own kind of way. Like i said, you are in a good mood today. You are trying to get me to bash somebody. Tavis i am just trying to make it clear just ancient of what was, what is, and what isnt going to be. I digress on that point. Do you feel stronger about what was than what is . Im glad you asked that. I said to myself the other day, in 50 years, who is going to be in a book and will it be this deck thick . A book of legends, icons,a n and rebels. Maybe rebels. Legends and icons . In this bookpeople really fit this moniker. I think there will be a list but it will be a little shorter. Tavis when you put together a , how do youis start . The characteristics, the qualities that youre looking for to make this list . Beenat is what i had saying earlier, time has proven this to be undeniable. Of all of the people in this that they did something made a contribution to move the whole thing around. They did change the world. Idea that started thinking that for a kid who is nine years book is for ages 999. They can grow up and be able to say i know who billy holiday was. I heard louis armstrong. Parents are thinking that is my kid. Had that kind of depth and that kind of foundation. Tavis how does a kid even access that . Because you need to share these kind of things. And in my house, growing up with my son which is where this idea started, he grew up in a house where he heard this music all the time. Said a lot of kids dont have this opportunity. Good,ont know what is whats bad, whats real. Time, this needs to be done. This in needs to share such a lovely way that a kid can be invited into this thing. This is not for me. It is universal. Tavis i will turn this around a little bit. I love the way it is laid out. Own. Artist has his or her favorites, i love the layout. You said a moment ago that some titles were just the music that changed the world. Take one or two artists if you , and tell me your view of how they change the world. I think we live in it alter where the word icon has been bastardized. Right that icons are people that change the game. They bring something to the table that change the way its done. We use that word all the time, so i will get a sense from you, the music think changed the world. Without a book like this, you might not be aware of Something Like this. Some years ago, i was spending time with chuck berry. Widely considered the father of rock n roll. He said that if he wasnt for louis jordan, he wouldnt it even got in the music. Louis jordan changed everything and made him want to become a musician. He was that good. Chuck berry said he only wanted to do what louis jordan did. That, i few years after was talking with the great little richard. He says if it wasnt for louis know if i would have gotten into music. Tavis when you spend time with the artists that are still living like little richard, is there a thread that you have come away with . It is an extraordinary talent, a unique talent that stood out like a diamond. Growing up, these guys were my heroes. What chuck berry said about louis jordan, you are the guy that made me say i had to be a part of this thing. When you talk about Billie Holiday, nothing before and nothing after in her own unique special way. Louis armstrong. What he did for music changed the world. Elvis, the beatles, bob dylan. It holds up. Not just in regard to music but in other arenas, technology doesnt fit this paradigm because technologically, we are advancing every day. I think they are actually setbacks, but that is a conversation for another time. Genres haveer we experienced the best that is ever going to come . The most you can do is elevate to the level of sarah von or the level of Billie Holiday or louis armstrong. This is where i am cutting this generation some slack. To expressght to be your artistry, but how do they become iconic . Is that still possible . Is the argument from some of this is that it doesnt get better than x, y, or z. I am not sure it doesnt get better. When i was playing with bob dylan in 1966, i was 20 years old. I did not know that was it and that this was a musical revolution. That what we were doing was going to change music forever. Lament plays a part. Artists today that will grow and will do something magical. Time will tell. You are very much a traditionalist. I am trying to keep an open mind. Try tothat is why when i find something you are kicking and screaming. Tavis i think the standard is think that rather than try to elevate to that standard, people do what is making money. I think the music business is just sold out. As a result, it is all about the numbers. Everybody is trying to be a copy of somebody else. That is what my issue is. Theset wait to get persons on the show. This person is at least doing something that is original. Not that i am just a stuffy traditionalist. One of the things that has happened over the years, when these artists were at their height, there were great songwriters writing the songs wit. I dont disagree with you with any of these things. I dont think the standard is in that same place. They were songwriters. Beatles, bobhe dylan, buddy holly wrote their own songs. It was financially beneficial, two. Other artists said, that is what i will do as well. Nowadays, a lot of people write their own songs and they are not great songwriters. They repeat 11 times. Theres no real verse or melody. 711 songs. Not all of it. A minute to go. What this book does is expose this generation, these people to legends and icons and rebels that change the world. Once they are aware of it, will if they want to be an artist, what is the next piece of advice . To go deeper. This is just opening the door. There are a lot of artists that we very much wanted to be a part of this. There will be a volume towo on this and volume three. The stones arent in this book. The badnd isnt in this book. I would not allow that to happen. It was written in there and i did not want the distraction so i pulled it. There is a connection between parents and kids. Tavis you can to do your own horn with this. The band, live at the academy of music 1970 one. Over four very special night, these Live Performances come to life in these new projects. Changed the world. It is still a very busy man. Always a pleasure for me to have you. Thanks for watching and until next time, keep the faith. For more information on todays show, visit tavis smiley at pbs. Org. Tavis hi, im tavis smiley. Join me next time for a conversation with actress Jacqueline Bissett about her up coming series, we will see you then. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Be more. Pbs. By generous support from. Life can take you almost anywhere. Fortunately, so can we. This program is brought to you in part by bread for the world, an Advocacy Organization working to end hunger and poverty at home and abroad. This time with a focus on practical travel tips. In this threepart special edition, we travel my favorite 2,000mile loop through europe, splicing in all the essential skills to help you travel on your own, smooth and smart. The point to this special is you can learn from my 30 years of experience and have a better trip. How well youre able to enjoy the delights of europe is a matter of how well you plan and how skillfully you travel. And theres a lot to enjoy. From the monuments of rome to a turkish bath in istanbul. From the markets of naples to new friends in spain. And from the scalps of the alps the the running of the bulls in pamplona, youll want to get the most out of every mile, minute, and dollar you spend in europe. In this threepart travel skills special, we start in the netherlands, venture through germany, dip into italy, sweep through switzerland and france, before finishing in england. In this first episode, we start in amsterdam, cruise the rhine, visit rothenburg, and finish in munich. Our main tips in this show settling in upon arrival and transportation. Exploring europe by car and by train. We landed at Amsterdams Schiphol airport. To get to europe, americans need only a passport, plane ticket, and money. Airports are welldesigned and userfriendly. Notice how easy it is for English Speakers to step right over that language barrier. Here in amsterdam, like most of europe, everythings in two languages dutch for locals and english for everyone else. And theres an information desk ready and waiting. Hello. Do you speak english . I do. Do you have a map, please, to go to amsterdam . Id like to take the train to the center. Okay. Uh, best place to go, sir. But even in the netherlands, where everyone seems to speak english, its polite to learn and use a few key local words. Dank u wel. Byebye. To get your cash, atms are the way to go. They provide local currency at the best rates. Quick, easy, and in english. But each atm transaction comes with a fee. Minimize these fees by comparing card policies before you leave home and by taking fewer and bigger withdrawals in europe. Its just like withdrawing cash at home. You just need your fourdigit pin. But before you leave, let your bank know youll be overseas so theres no hang up in using your card over here. My hotels in the city center. Getting downtown from european airports on Public Transportation is easy. Youve got options. If youre packing heavy, really tired, or with a small group, a taxi can be the best value. When im on my own and packing light, Public Transit trains and busses can be the best choice, and its far cheaper. Busses are clearly marked. These days, youll buy tickets and lots of other things using machines. Theres always a button for english. Get comfortable using your credit card and following the prompts. Okay, ive got my train ticket to the center. Most european airports have excellent train connections into town. From schiphol, theres a train into amsterdam every couple of minutes. And were downtown in a snap. I find europes big ironandglass stations