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Levon Helm

#21
I've been thinking about this off and on all day, and trying not to be sad. Isn't working.

I posted this on my Facebook page:

Sad, sad news: Levon Helm, the ex- Band drummer and solo artist, is in the final stages of life, or he may already have passed. I'm SO glad I got to see him play Jazz Fest in 2010, with so many special guests.

Such a great drummer with a tremendous feel for rock 'n' roots styles, always expressing such great joy to be behind that kit, driving his bandmates to ever higher musical peaks, and singing in that distinctive countrified style of his. And so inspiring - coming back from throat cancer to make a career renaissance with several great albums, singing again despite the odds.

Selfishly, I wish that he had lived long enough for me to see him play one of those storied midnight rambles in upstate NY. Here's to you, Levon, to a peaceful passing and condolences to those family members, friends, fans, and musical colleagues you have left behind.

Here's a clip of Levon's band playing "Tennessee Jed" on the David Letterman Show (2009) Levon Helm - "Tennessee Jed" on Letterman 7/9 (TheAudioPerv.com) - YouTube
 
#32
The Band, The Weight - YouTube

I was checking this video out and it really puts time in perspective. Levon Helm is gone, Rick Danko is gone, and Roebuck Staples is gone. Mavis is still here, but she is getting up there. The older I get, the more I understand what adults meant when I was a kid and I heard them say that life is short.:(

BTW, I don't hear many say it, but Rick Danko had really good intonation playing an unmarked fretless and singing.:bassist:
 
#34
Dr. Cheese said:
The Band, The Weight - YouTube

I was checking this video out and it really puts time in perspective. Levon Helm is gone, Rick Danko is gone, and Roebuck Staples is gone. Mavis is still here, but she is getting up there. The older I get, the more I understand what adults meant when I was a kid and I heard them say that life is short.:(

BTW, I don't hear many say it, but Rick Danko had really good intonation playing an unmarked fretless and singing.:bassist:
Click to expand...

I always thought of Danko as the 'lead singer' of The Band. He always said it was Levon. Levon would say it was Richard. It's rare today that anyone would spread the credit so freely. I think about the pop music that my daughter listens to and try to picture any of those 'artists' displaying the, well class, that Levon did. He was a true gentleman.

I am sad now.
 
#35
Every member of The Band (with maybe the exception of Robbie Robertson... read Levon's book and you'll know what I mean) had class. It's sad to think that Richard, Rick, and Levon are now all gone.

I don't know if anybody here has purchased "Electric Dirt" which is Levon's 2009 album, but if you haven't you should. It sounds great!
 
#36
blues_bassist said:
Every member of The Band (with maybe the exception of Robbie Robertson... read Levon's book and you'll know what I mean) had class. It's sad to think that Richard, Rick, and Levon are now all gone.

I don't know if anybody here has purchased "Electric Dirt" which is Levon's 2009 album, but if you haven't you should. It sounds great!
Click to expand...

I do believe Levon & Robbie made peace some time ago, and Robbie visited him at length last weekend... so long, Levon.
 

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