On this day in 1986 — 35 years ago — after just completing a two set show with The Band in Winter Park, Florida, 41-year-old Richard Manuel of The Band hung himself from a shower curtain rod in a hotel room in Florida.
Two months earlier, in January, 1986, Albert Grossman had died of a heart attack. Grossman had been a father figure and confidant to Manuel, and an instrumental figure in any possible solo career.
Depressed by Grossman's death, dwindling access to prestigious concert venues and the perception that the Band had stagnated and had become a traveling jukebox, Manuel returned to his alcohol and cocaine addictions.
At the gig at the Cheek to Cheek Lounge in Winter Park, Manuel had appeared to be in relatively good spirits but ominously thanked Garth Hudson for "twenty-five years of incredible music.”
The Band returned to the Quality Inn, down the block from the Cheek to Cheek Lounge, and Manuel talked with Levon Helm about music and film in Helm's room. According to Helm, at around 2:30 a.m., Manuel said he needed to get something from his room.
Upon returning to his motel room, it is believed that he finished one last bottle of Grand Marnier before hanging himself. Manuel's wife, Arlie — also intoxicated at the time — discovered his body along with the depleted bottle and a small amount of cocaine the following morning.
Manuel’s band mate, Robbie Robertson honored his friend with the song, “Fallen Angel,” in 1987