Levon Helm

**Michael Eck** · Apr-17-2012, 4:17pm

This was posted on Helm's website this afternoon. Let's remember that in addition to being an incredible drummer and singer, Levon was known to pick a little mando, too.

"Dear 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."

**Jeffff** · Apr-17-2012, 4:35pm

This makes me sad.

**MikeEdgerton** · Apr-17-2012, 5:04pm

Levon's website

**Ray Neuman** · Apr-17-2012, 5:06pm

Sad day. Levon is the reason I play mandolion today.

**Spruce** · Apr-17-2012, 5:06pm

One of my all-time heros...

**MikeEdgerton** · Apr-17-2012, 5:10pm

Levon's page on Facebook. You can leave a message for the family.

**MikeEdgerton** · Apr-17-2012, 5:17pm

Just have to watch some Levon.

**Loretta Callahan** · Apr-17-2012, 5:20pm

Prayers for him and his loved ones on their way. So very sad.

**Pete Braccio** · Apr-17-2012, 5:45pm

Crud.

My thoughts to his family.

Crud.

**eadg145** · Apr-17-2012, 5:59pm

I'll be playing "Hurricane" tonight, in Levon's honor. My best to the entire Helm clan. Thanks for all the great music, Levon!

**David Rambo** · Apr-17-2012, 6:49pm

That's sad news indeed. Prayers go out to the family. I think I'll go listen to The Last Waltz for a while.....

**Mark Hudson** · Apr-17-2012, 7:25pm

Some of the best music I ever saw had Levon behind the drum kit... he made our lives richer for the joy he brought to his music.
I went looking for something of his to post to my FB page and found this gem... never saw it before but it's all Levon as soon as you hear it! (doesn't hurt to have Emmylou & Johnny Cash backing either <g>) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ysj0TZ6sB1s

**mfeuerst** · Apr-17-2012, 7:30pm

Originally Posted by Jeffff

This makes me sad.

Me too....but after that it makes me want to play my ass off and also seek out the next generation of Levons before our generation is completely gone.

**Spruce** · Apr-17-2012, 7:38pm

**pjlama** · Apr-17-2012, 8:48pm

This sucks. Such a funky drummer, awesome singer and a great musician. He made the Band, he's a very rare musician and one of the very best to lay it down on any instrument, god speed Levon. You'll be sorely missed but the angels choir is getting a major upgrade.

**citeog** · Apr-17-2012, 8:49pm

This is terrible news. Recently we've lost Earl Scruggs and Barney McKenna (of Dubliners fame) and now this. The Band restored my faith in music so this is particularly poignant for me. Levon's version of Springsteen's "Atlantic City" is the quintessential cover.

All the best, Levon.

Paul

**pjlama** · Apr-17-2012, 9:01pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZaU3...e_gdata_player

Here's a sweet nugget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gReku...e_gdata_player

His feel is other worldly and folks if you haven't figured it out, it's all about feel, the notes mean nothing.

**Treblemaker** · Apr-17-2012, 9:03pm

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That Ain't Stage Fright....

RIP LEVON - YOU ROCKED PLANET EARTH!

**Peter LaMorte** · Apr-17-2012, 9:04pm

This is horrible news. We made a trip to Denver last time Levon opened for John Prine. I've seen Levon and the Band many times and in my teen years lived in upstate NY just 1/2hr or so from Woodstock and at the time I didn't know most of the band were Canadians and Levon was from Arkansas. Heck, I thought they were local boys and I always claimed them as being so. This is all hard to take, brings me back to the feelings I had when my Dad was getting ready to pass on. This Hearts on Fire ...
.............

**Dan Margolis** · Apr-17-2012, 9:33pm

We had tix for Levon at the beginning of March, then it was rescheduled for this Friday...now, never. Best wishes to Levon and his family. One of the greats.

**journeybear** · Apr-18-2012, 1:25am

So sad to hear how Levon is doing. But so glad for all he has given to so many people for so long. And as a mandolinist, I can't adequately express my thanks for all his playing did for me. One of the first times I heard mandolin in a rock song was on "Rag Mama Rag" (THE first was Ry Cooder playing on The Rolling Stones' version of "Love In Vain" - I think), and it hipped me to a way the instrument could be played that I had not known before. It was a great honor for my band to open for The Band many years later, and an everlasting honor, privilege, and delight to meet Levon, however briefly, in the green room before the show. He seemed quite untouched by all the fame and accolades that had been heaped upon him over the years - just a down to earth guy, who loved playing music. The world is a better place to live in for him having been in it. My heart goes out to him and to those who love him and whom he has loved.

**Darren Bailey** · Apr-18-2012, 1:30am

An amazing life full of courage and beauty.

**Mandolin-Tele** · Apr-18-2012, 1:46am

Hes got a Wide River to Cross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm2_7o8DGtI

**AlexanderL** · Apr-18-2012, 2:12am

It brings tears to my eyes. I discovered just the other day started out as a drummer (then on to guitar) and now I'm slowly learning to play mandolin.

Here's his old mandolin (and a bad presenter):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0mFoTZ0O5g