R.I.P. Levon Helm
Two days after cancer announcement, a legend succumbs
By Mark C. Brown Apr 19, 2012 1:47PM
photo: Brian Stratton That was too quick. Levon Helm's family just announced that he was near the end of his life, and now he's gone.
It was too young for such a legend to go, but I try to focus on the bright side. Helm lived life on his own musical terms and did what he loved until he couldn't anymore. Check the photo above -- that's Levon playing with Joe Walsh in New Jersey late last year, and you can see from the look on his face he's having a blast. That's the Levon Helm I want to remember.
His surviving partner from The Band, Robbie Robertson, visited him over the weekend and posted this lovely Facebook tribute:
Last week I was shocked and so saddened to hear that my old band mate, Levon, was in the final stages of his battle with cancer. It hit me really hard because I thought he had beaten throat cancer and had no idea that he was this ill. I spoke with his family and made arrangements to go and see him.
On Sunday I went to New York and visited him in the hospital. I sat with Levon for a good while, and thought of the incredible and beautiful times we had together. It was heartwarming to be greeted by his lovely daughter Amy, whom I have known since she was born. Amy’s mother, Libby Titus, and her husband, Donald Fagen, were so kind to help walk me through this terrible time of sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sandy.
Levon is one of the most extraordinary talented people I’ve ever known and very much like an older brother to me. I am so grateful I got to see him one last time and will miss him and love him forever.
Robbie Robertson
34Comments
Apr 26, 2012 11:52PM
I was in a near fatal car wreck and was in a coma, I awoke just as the first song began playing on TCM which was on the TV in my hospital, I will go to my grave believing that I awoke because I heard something I loved, God Bless Levon, you were one of a kind, there will NEVE be another Band, but they will always be my all-time fav!!!!!!
Apr 26, 2012 9:18PM
Apr 26, 2012 6:24PM
Apr 26, 2012 5:10PM
Apr 26, 2012 1:19PM
Last night I popped in my original VCR of the movie 'The Band', and shed many a tear. I first saw the movie when I was living in Montreal - I think I went to the theater every day for a week! What wonderful memories. Every member of The Band was a classic, wonderful artist. There is now an angel playing the mandolin, backed up by an orchestra of harps. We all love and miss you.
Apr 26, 2012 12:54PM
The world just lost a very valuable asset. This man had the heart, soul, and spirit, that every other musician would love to have. He sang great and never held back. He played like he loved it, because he did. The guy was not about the fame and money, like so many of todays "superstars". This guy was the real deal, and we need many more like him. Hey, Robbie, you should have sucked it up a long time ago. Well, better late then never.
Apr 21, 2012 4:48PM
Apr 20, 2012 7:24AM
Apr 20, 2012 7:08AM
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, LEVON. Thanks the most for the music - if anyone was ever the voice of America at her core, it was you. Thanks for the great characters you gave us like "Daddy" Lynn and Ridley (who was always good for a stick of Beamons). And thanks for showing the world how a true southern gentleman carried and conducted himself - and for setting an example for the rest of us to follow. Thanks for everything.
Apr 20, 2012 7:08AM
Jeese Robby a little too late for words don't ya think though? My brother who had a rivalry with my Dad never cleared the air before he died. He let his ego stand for the bitterness between them and now he lives his last days with regret that the true forgiveness was never granted. I will give you the credit for showing up but in no way was the air cleared between you in his final days..
Apr 20, 2012 6:55AM
Apr 19, 2012 10:58PM
Will never forget Dylan and the the Band shows in 74. Saw it at Forum in Los Angeles the day before Thanksgiving. It was magical pure music from pure artists. The one thing I do remember was The Band. There set was so amazing. The only words that were spoken that evening by the bands were Good Evening and Good Night no banter between songs just music sweet music. Definitely one of the top 5 concerts of my life. RIP Levon thank you.
Apr 19, 2012 10:47PM
Dick Clark and now Levon. They weren't anything alike but in one crucial area. MUSIC!!! They loved it and gave us the storyline of our lives. I have been watching "The Last Waltz" since 1979 I believe. At least once a year the last Thurs. of Nov. (or whenever I was down and depressed.) It always raised my spirits! I read Levon's book,"This Wheels On Fire" and Bill Graham's bio and haven't thought very highly of Robbie as a fellow human being. As a musician, he's one of the best ! As a songwriter, he's one of the best! As a friend to the rest of the Band, not so good. But now after hearing his comments and his paying of respects to the family--I am paying my respects to him. Levon was always my favorite in the Band. Probably because he was the one was born and raised in the Americana they sang about. He and his sister were doing it before they got out of school. But Robbie's talents as to writing about this "Americana" were unrivaled, but it was Richard, Rick, and Levon the brought them to life and me to tears with their voices. And now all three of them are gone. I miss them and will listen to their voices for as long as I live. I want to truly, from the bottom of my heart, offer my condolences to Levon's family. He was ONE OF THE BEST !!! Great humanitarian, great musician, and a credit to the HUMAN RACE !
Apr 19, 2012 10:22PM
sadly, this is at least the 2nd, it's about me, post robbie has to get attention in the last two days. robbie, if you want to tribute levon, just pay levon's family the money you owe them from the record deal. so sad, what great music. what greed. glad levon kept making great music and sharing, what wonderful karma he shared. rip, and love to his family and friends.
Apr 19, 2012 9:55PM
Apr 19, 2012 9:54PM
Apr 19, 2012 8:53PM
Damn. We have lost another irreplaceable American cultural treasure. Levon and the rest of The Band were the innovators of this truly original American rock, country, blues musical fabric that became one of the most recognizable sounds in great music for the last 44 years. Big Pink came out when I was in high school and my musician friends and I would sit around for hours playing at parties and The Weight was a must on the playlist. The Band was one of the first super groups and they could pretty much all sing like nobody's business. But Levon's voice when he hits the chorus in "Drove ole Dixie Down", is like a Norman Rockwell painting put to music. The song was written for his voice. Joan Baez did a great version but Levon had a spiritual connection to the song, and all credit due to Robbie Robertson. Condolences to his wife and family, friends and musical brothers and sisters. I wish I had been one. Levon... you were a good man.
Apr 19, 2012 8:50PM
Apr 19, 2012 8:19PM
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