This past Thursday marked the 82nd anniversary of Richard Manuel’s birth. The musician, who passed away in 1986 at age 42 is renowned for his work as a singer, songwriter and keyboard player. He was still a Canadian teenager when he joined The Hawks on piano–a group that would later become known as The Band. The full scope of his story will be explored in a forthcoming book.

Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band is the first official biography of the artist. Although Manuel gave few interviews, author Stephen T Lewis has spoken with numerous family members and fellow musicians over the past few years to build the story. Participants include Eric Clapton and Van Morrison.

The book tracks Manuel’s journey from Stratford, Ontario, to Woodstock, New York with the Revols, the Hawks, The Band and beyond. Manuel wrote four songs on The Band’s debut record, Music from Big Pink, including “Tears of Rage” with Bob Dylan, after serving as part of the backing group during the Dylan Goes Electric era. Lewis explores this narrative and all that follows in the biography, including Manuel’s creative high-points as well as his mental health issues and struggles with drug addiction.

Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band will be released on May 28 and is now available for pre-order.