From Levon's site:
QuoteDear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.
Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration... he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage...
We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy
This breaks my heart. The Ramble with MMJ was the best night of my life, and I will forever thank Levon for making it possible. An incredible drummer, amazing singer and just one of the "good ol' boys" of rock. So sad to hear this.
Praying for him to have a peaceful passing. My favorite drummer of all time.. :(
And yes, also glad I made it to a Ramble--wish I could have done it more than once.
Oh my.......
Wow, this is heartbreaking indeed....Love this man and his music, his legacy is undeniable....please, if you are a fan, pick up his autobiography 'This Wheels on Fire' I garauntee you will love this man moreso after you finish it!
Thanks Levon
Quote from: wolof7 on Apr 17, 2012, 05:19 PM
Wow, this is heartbreaking indeed....Love this man and his music, his legacy is undeniable....please, if you are a fan, pick up his autobiography 'This Wheels on Fire' I garauntee you will love this man moreso after you finish it!
Thanks Levon
A good friend of mine loaned me this book a couple years ago--- definitely a must-read!! Levon is the man....
Wishing him Peace and so much Love
very sad to hear this news!!!!!
wish i got to see one of his shows but it never worked out. life is fleeting.. you gotta make the most of it!
I wish I could have saw him last weekend in Tulsa. Sucks to hear the news.
God bless you Levon. Thanks for everything.
Quote from: BH on Apr 17, 2012, 08:28 PM
God bless you Levon. Thanks for everything.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :'(
I can't even begin to describe how sad this news has made me. The music of The Band has been with me in many important moments in my life and helped me to get through many a tough time. Watching Levon perform, you could just see how happy he was to be on that stage and performing for the fans. I got to last see him a few years back opening for the Black Crowes in Central Park. Was just a beautiful thing watching the fans cheer him.
I took the train home this evening from work and my iPod shuffle came to "Acadian Driftwood" and I swear I thought I was going to cry. God Bless Levon... Across The Great Divide... :'(
How sad. A true icon and leader in the rise of rock in the late 60s and early 70s and constantly on my turntable back in the day. Levon and The Band were the best and I feel fortunate to have seen them first in their prime in the summer of 1974 and Levon and friends at Newport in 2010, I realize now, for the last time.
I feel that MMJ "channels" The Band into the current era better than anyone and their cover of "It Makes No Difference" just makes it abundantly clear. The Ramble at Levon's place and this cover at the ISM T5 night a few days later that I was fortunate to witness just seals the deal.
Looks like I'll be fighting back tears and spinning a lot of The Band vinyl the next few days.
Godspeed Levon.
I can't believe it. I saw him perform in Ann Arbor less than a month ago, he seemed so happy and full of life. This is a real downer. :(
hang in there, Levon.
I saw Levon last at the newport folk festival a few years back.
a true legend, gentleman, and all around good-guy. spinning lots of Band music these days and sending good thoughts out to Levon and his family.
Watch The Last Waltz again people. The greatest rock n roll movie - EVER!
So sad...I love Levon. Wish I got to see him in person, but I'm just glad I was alive the same time he was. Peace and Love Levon!
Quote from: headhunter on Apr 18, 2012, 09:25 AM
Watch The Last Waltz again people. The greatest rock n roll movie - EVER!
Yep, time to bust it out again. I watch it every year on Thanksgiving. Ain't nothin' better than the Band and the Staples on The Weight one of the greatest musical performances of all time in my book, that's what'll be played at my funeral, if I have any say.
I was fortunate enough to catch Levon at the Newport Folk Festival a few years back. He clearly shines a light on all he has played with. He is so much more than just a drummer, singer and musician. Thought I would share just a few photos I took at Newport.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b479/jgsvinyl/Newport2008078.jpg)
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b479/jgsvinyl/Newport2008071.jpg)
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b479/jgsvinyl/Newport2008070.jpg)
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b479/jgsvinyl/Newport2008076.jpg)
Incredibly sad. He played a Ramble here just last month and one of my friends who worked the show said he was so lovely and kind. Always nice to hear when someone you admire so much turns out to be a genuinely good person too.
Kind of glad we have some warning about this. Thinking about all the good vibes flowing his way makes it a little easier, kind of beautiful in a way.
Such sad news. Levon is my favourite drummer from my favourite band. I always felt he was the heartbeat of The Band. Listening to the music of The Band transports me back to a time and a place that just seems to resonate with me, even though I was just born.
I would have loved to have been able to see The Band in their pomp and glory years - what events they must have been! As it was me and my wife made the long trip to Woodstock in 2009 in order to go to a Midnight Ramble. Levon had suffered a minor setback and was unable to sing on the night we were there, but he was on the drums for the whole evening and it was an honour to be there. We were sat upstairs looking directly down with Levon and his drums facing us. As the evening finished we scooted down the steps out back and into the throng as he made his way back into his barn. I'm not usually in awe of artists, but for once we pushed our way in a little and shouted that we had come over from England to see him. Levon stopped and shook both our hands and we felt great about it!
He lead a fun, full-on life and he made some of the best music that has ever been made. What better legacy could there be?
The Band will be on rotation in my house and car from this point on.
Thinking of him and his family now.
Had to put this up.....perfection:
King Harvest (720p HD Quality High Def sound) - The Band (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaKD1Vdarnw#)
He's passed.
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20120419/ENT04/120419019/LEVON-HELM-DIES-71?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7C%7Cp (http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20120419/ENT04/120419019/LEVON-HELM-DIES-71?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7C%7Cp)
The Band - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jREUrbGGrgM#noexternalembed-ws)
:'(
No other musicians death has saddened me more.
R.I.P. Levon. Might have to bust out my copy of The Last Waltz tonight.
:'(
Devastating. You just knew it was coming, hell I just posted about this, but even now that he is no longer with us it's just so horribly sad... and wrong. But thankfully he is no longer suffering and at peace.
2 of my favorites...
The Band - Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VShpcqd3zE#noexternalembed-ws)
And this gem...
The Band - Chest Fever - Live at Wembley 1974 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTTd4GYRSgs#)
Rest easy, Levon.
"Of course The Band was a huge influence on Phish and many other bands. But Levon's own musical career is just so inspiring.... from wanting to leave the Bob Dylan scene in the 60s despite all the success around it in order to follow his own musical tastes to the incredible Midnight Rambles of recent years. I was lucky enough to go to four of the Rambles and play at one, and these were life changing experiences. Jon Fishman called home from the parking lot after the first one I went to, saying it was a top musical experience of his life.
I've always thought music can exist so perfectly when churning in the confines of a barn, and this took it to an extreme where American culture was simply bubbling over with authenticity, passion, and a connection to the backwoods and the hills. It's a testament that ten or fifteen incredible (and notable) musicians came through each time to make up and enhance this house band (not to mention the incredible opening bands). In the middle of the barn, with his deep seventy year old smile, Levon's uniquely spare yet fierce drumming propelled a repertoire through these enchanted nights. Folk, bluegrass, and country blended effortlessly with blues, soul, and funk, creating a melting pot of sounds unique to our country. And despite battles with throat cancer, Levon would grab the mic and sing so powerfully that it shook the beams of his old barn-home to the core.
To do a few cool things when someone's young is one thing, but then to grow older and cultivate such a heartfelt and moving musical situation is very inspiring.
It's no wonder so many artists are influenced by his sound, his sensibility, and his projects with their own pursuits. This is a huge loss, and I'm sorry for anyone who couldn't experience that magic first hand, and I'm thankful that our country and our musical community was lucky enough to be graced by such a soul"
- Mike Gordon
:'(
his friends, family and bandmates were with him singing when he passed.
what better way to go.
the best way to mourn his loss is to celebrate his life. he brought so many so much joy.
i played big pink and the last waltz today.
tonight it's rock of ages and stage fright.
his music will outlast all of us. long live levon. thanks for everything.
R.I.P. Levon.:'(
Quote from: buaawwww on Apr 19, 2012, 05:15 PM
And this gem...
The Band - Chest Fever - Live at Wembley 1974 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTTd4GYRSgs#)
that's incredible..the Wembley crowd doesn't seem ecstatic but in that video you get to see all 5 do their stuff--love the 3 vocals
I just hate how a truly legendary musician with actual importance is a by-line on most news outlets, when 3 hit (music, countless on the pipe) wonder Houston/barely established Winehouse cause an uproar.
Regardless, it's like another member of a legendary class has moved on.
Quote from: el_chode on Apr 19, 2012, 10:04 PM
I just hate how a truly legendary musician with actual importance is a by-line on most news outlets, when 3 hit (music, countless on the pipe) wonder Houston/barely established Winehouse cause an uproar.
Regardless, it's like another member of a legendary class has moved on.
And he was a far better actor than Whitney and damn funny on an old episode of SCTV.
http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/the-levon-helm-band/video/anna-lee_1005368.html (http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/the-levon-helm-band/video/anna-lee_1005368.html)
This news is really hitting me hard. I feel empty inside knowing that Levon is no longer with us.
It is a little comforting to read all the stories of how positively he influenced the lives of so many. I feel like I'm not alone. I owe the best night of my life to Levon Helm, and I just wish he was here to create some more music and some more memories.
Rest in peace Levon.
Quote from: el_chode on Apr 19, 2012, 10:04 PM
I just hate how a truly legendary musician with actual importance is a by-line on most news outlets, when 3 hit (music, countless on the pipe) wonder Houston/barely established Winehouse cause an uproar.
Regardless, it's like another member of a legendary class has moved on.
that's always frustrating...my co-workers had no idea who he was..and my one co-worker started singing the Elton John song, i said 'uh yeah, it's written about HIM'...i said 'anytime you hear the word Levon in a song, it's about THAT Levon'...dick...
i know this might not be appropriate, but part of me hopes that Larry, Theresa and Amy will carry on with a Ramble Tour to celebrate his life...
Quote from: Penny Lane on Apr 20, 2012, 09:04 AM
i know this might not be appropriate, but part of me hopes that Larry, Theresa and Amy will carry on with a Ramble Tour to celebrate his life...
Part of me hopes for the same thing! If there's one thing Levon would have wanted, it would have been to keep the Ramble rollin' on.
Quote from: oistheone on Apr 20, 2012, 09:10 AM
Quote from: Penny Lane on Apr 20, 2012, 09:04 AM
i know this might not be appropriate, but part of me hopes that Larry, Theresa and Amy will carry on with a Ramble Tour to celebrate his life...
Part of me hopes for the same thing! If there's one thing Levon would have wanted, it would have been to keep the Ramble rollin' on.
THIS...I could have gone a few times over the past year, but money and PTO were too tight...I'll probably always regret not going :'(
His Spirit will carry on...Across the Great Divide
Band Pandora station playing all day...it's the best I can do at work...need to watch The Last Waltz stat!
He was mentioned on one morning show that I saw this morning...but it was very quick...I think it was CBS news...the lady seemed to be quite a fan...she quoted Dylan's little blurb about his passing...the male anchor just said "High praise coming from Dylan"...I dunno, I wish they had said more I guess
Bob Dylan's response:
He was my bosom buddy friend to the end, one of the last true great spirits of my or any other generation. This is just so sad to talk about. I still can remember the first day I met him and the last day I saw him. We go back pretty far and had been through some trials together. I'm going to miss him, as I'm sure a whole lot of others will too.
I'm so sad that I never made it to a Ramble but so happy that my friend Jim did!
Jim James w/ Levon Helm - Makes No Difference 8/13/10 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZCFfxE0lpQ#ws)
R.I.P. Levon one of my favorite musicians ever.....
I have one question, what member of this forum works for Rolling Stone magazine and has put the picture in the Levon Helm tribute gallery:
Levon and Jim singing together:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/levon-helm-through-the-years-20120417/the-levon-helm-band-with-jim-james-0645662 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/levon-helm-through-the-years-20120417/the-levon-helm-band-with-jim-james-0645662)
What would I have given to be there :)
Levon was listed at 91 on the "100 Greatest Singers" list in Rolling Stone. The author of this entry?
Jim James
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/levon-helm-19691231 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/levon-helm-19691231)
"There is something about Levon Helm's voice that is contained in all of our voices. It is ageless, timeless and has no race. He can sing with such depth and emotion, but he can also convey a good-old fun-time growl.
Since Papa Garth Hudson didn't really sing, I always felt that, vocally, Levon was the father figure in the Band. He always seems strong and confident, like a father calling you home, or sometimes scolding you. The beauty in Richard Manuel's singing was often the sense of pain and darkness he conveyed. Rick Danko had a lot of melancholy to his voice as well, but he could also be a little more goofy. They were all different shades of color in the crayon box, and Levon's voice is the equivalent of a sturdy old farmhouse that has stood for years in the fields, weathering all kinds of change yet remaining unmovable.
The best thing about Levon is that he has so many sides, from the sound his voice gave to the Band's rich harmonies to how he can rip it up on songs like "Yazoo Street Scandal," "Don't Ya Tell Henry," "Up on Cripple Creek" and "Rag Mama Rag." He can pop in for sensitive moments, such as in between Manuel's vocals in "Whispering Pines." And he laid down one of the greatest recorded pop vocal performances of all time: "The Weight." I was fortunate to get to go to one of his Midnight Rambles a few years back when My Morning Jacket were recording up in the Catskills. To see him walk out on that stage and sit down behind the drum kit in person was a thrill. No one else plays the drums or sings like Levon, much less doing it at the same time.
There is a sense of deep country and family in Levon's voice, a spirit that was there even before him, deep in the blood of all singers who have heard him, whether they know it or not."
Man, its hard to say something more eloquent than the above quotes from Jim James and Mike Gordon and all the other stuff that's being said.
I feel like the last remaining vestiges of the times when rock music was really alive and real and not just a rarity with only a handful of torchbearers are disappearing faster and faster. It scares me that it'll be forgotten by the population, but I'm glad there are plenty of folks in small circles who hold in the highest regard music of the quality that The Band made. Its a sad time, but still we are so lucky to have a band like MMJ who understand all this and put their hearts and souls into keeping that spirit alive. Godspeed, Levon, and Godbless all the people who "get it".
Sweet words from Gordo.
Levon will truly be missed! :'( Just glad we got to have him stick around for as long as he did...
"Levon Helm was simply one of the greatest drummers ever. But he was also one of the most influential musicians and important artists of our time. Levon had a depth of feel that does not exist anymore. His brilliantly economic parts, lyrical phrasing and incredible touch and tone on the drums were as unique as his song writing and timeless voice. His impact on me cannot be overstated. Getting the privilege to double drum with him last year at our Solid Sound festival was one of the greatest thrills I could ever imagine. He was a passionate man with an extremely gracious, warm and giving personality. That he made some of his best music in the final years of his life, is a testament to his greatness and historical significance. He will be dearly missed."
-Glenn Kotche
Haven't read this yet but I intend to
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/04/54-musicians-remember-levon-helm.html (http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2012/04/54-musicians-remember-levon-helm.html)
From Kelly Hogan:
Like everyone I know, I've been thinking a lot about Levon Helm. I always hoped I would get to meet him one day and geek out to him about what a fan I was of his singing and playing. Now, that'll have to wait.
So much has been said about him since his death this week — eloquent and heartfelt tributes from folks from all walks of life, high and low, fancy and plain — a spontaneous and beautiful testament to what he meant to us as a musician and a person.
But I was doing dishes just now and started thinking hard about his family — especially his wife and daughter — who had the strength and generosity to make his imminent demise public. They shared something so very personal and wrenching with the whole world — at a time when they must've felt pain akin to swallowing hammers.
They had so much to deal with. Their beloved was waving goodbye. Yet they included us — invisible strangers. And didn't you feel honored to be told?
Didn't it make you feel a little less helpless in the face of an undodge-able grievous bullet to be able to send love and positive energy and good will to Levon and his family? To be able to try to give a little something back to someone whose work and soul and just kick-ass natural humanity has given us so much?
Maybe our combined focused energies manufactured a kind of bellows — a fellowship — a bit of collective "lift" to be able to send him off flying — free from pain, free from fear. Maybe in some small way it was able to buoy his family who had to strip sheets off an empty bed — to cushion the fall. Man, I hope so.
For me, I think it was a perfect example of using the internet for good instead of evil, making the world smaller — and I think it was so brave of the family to be so open about it. We loved him too. How even more awful it would have been to have had to just find out suddenly that he had passed.
To the family of Levon Helm — thank you. Things must be so rough for y'all right now. It is so so hard to lose someone. And I know we've never met, but let us know if you need anything. We're right here.
http://hoganhere.tumblr.com/post/21458256018/like-everyone-i-know-ive-been-thinking-a-lot (http://hoganhere.tumblr.com/post/21458256018/like-everyone-i-know-ive-been-thinking-a-lot)
Quote from: johnnYYac on Apr 20, 2012, 11:33 AM
Levon was listed at 91 on the "100 Greatest Singers" list in Rolling Stone. The author of this entry?
Jim James
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/levon-helm-19691231 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/levon-helm-19691231)
"There is something about Levon Helm's voice that is contained in all of our voices. It is ageless, timeless and has no race. He can sing with such depth and emotion, but he can also convey a good-old fun-time growl.
Since Papa Garth Hudson didn't really sing, I always felt that, vocally, Levon was the father figure in the Band. He always seems strong and confident, like a father calling you home, or sometimes scolding you. The beauty in Richard Manuel's singing was often the sense of pain and darkness he conveyed. Rick Danko had a lot of melancholy to his voice as well, but he could also be a little more goofy. They were all different shades of color in the crayon box, and Levon's voice is the equivalent of a sturdy old farmhouse that has stood for years in the fields, weathering all kinds of change yet remaining unmovable.
The best thing about Levon is that he has so many sides, from the sound his voice gave to the Band's rich harmonies to how he can rip it up on songs like "Yazoo Street Scandal," "Don't Ya Tell Henry," "Up on Cripple Creek" and "Rag Mama Rag." He can pop in for sensitive moments, such as in between Manuel's vocals in "Whispering Pines." And he laid down one of the greatest recorded pop vocal performances of all time: "The Weight." I was fortunate to get to go to one of his Midnight Rambles a few years back when My Morning Jacket were recording up in the Catskills. To see him walk out on that stage and sit down behind the drum kit in person was a thrill. No one else plays the drums or sings like Levon, much less doing it at the same time.
There is a sense of deep country and family in Levon's voice, a spirit that was there even before him, deep in the blood of all singers who have heard him, whether they know it or not."
Excellent find, jYac!
Do we need any more proof that at least some of the soul of Levon and The Band lives on in MMJ.
I hope they play Band covers at Forecastle, Newport and elsewhere in honor of Levon.
just watched the last waltz again, and does anybody else notice the resemblance between Jim and a younger Dr. John?
A little love from Steam Engine today:
http://www.thesteamengine.net/home/watch-the-black-keys-john-fogerty-honor-levon-helm-at-coache.html (http://www.thesteamengine.net/home/watch-the-black-keys-john-fogerty-honor-levon-helm-at-coache.html)
WATCH - The Black Keys + John Fogerty Honor Levon Helm at Coachella
The Black Keys w/John Fogerty - The Weight (The Band) - live Coachella, April 20, 2012 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfXcnX8STqU#)
08/13/10 Jim James joins Levon Helm Band peforming "The Weight" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPSiCwq6qO4#ws)