Levon Helm

[toofarnorth]

.
Posted on Levon's website earlier this afternoon ...

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

Levon had cancelled some dates recently and Robbie Robertson's shout out to him at the R&RHoF induction event this past weekend had apparently spawned rumors that it might be due to more than issues with his back.

I am sad beyond words .. and so very grateful that I made the long trek to his home for one ramble .. and so regret that I didn't do it several more times.

Not from 'my' ramble, but could have been taken from my seat ......






adding just 'cause . . . . .

[HeathO96001]

I’m so sorry. Prayers for Levon and his family

[toofarnorth]

ETA: came back to add a link to kcortez's This Is Somewhere .. but see he beat me to it so I'm leaving his as the most recent post.

Click his link and make the jump to TIS - you will be very glad you did. KC's recap is a wonderful read, as is Van's.

Reading their words made me aware yet again that, as grateful as I am to have seen Warren Haynes with Levon, being too chicken to make the drive that winter for GPN's Ramble will always be one of my major regrets.

**************


Levon re: The Crackers

[kcortez]

For those of you who weren't around then, my review of the night Grace and the Nocs opened the Ramble along with links to Van's writeup.

http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/...nd-gpn-ramble/

[Summerclay]

For those of you who weren't around then, my review of the night Grace and the Nocs opened the Ramble along with links to Van's writeup.

http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2010/...nd-gpn-ramble/

Beautiful moment. Thanks for taking me along.

[toofarnorth]

Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon. He was surrounded by family, friends and band mates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul.

The media is already swarming with reports, but that simple statement is from Levon's Facebook page.

The music world has lost a lot of 'greats' in the past couple of years .... but this one feels different ... this one truly hurts.



A Twitter friend linked me to this video when the first news hit ...





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someone retweeted this .. I kinda love it ..

RT @JasonIsbell Now that Levon's gone, I have no idea who the coolest sumbitch on Earth is.

[marknga]

RIP sir

[HeathO96001]

R.I.P. Levon

[tbaron]

Twitter Quote from drummer Chad Smith "Levon was one of a kind. Heavens rhythm section just got funkier.."

[Karen]

.
.
.“. . . 'life and breath, heart and soul.'”

[toofarnorth]

If you're around tonight ...

Radio Woodstock will be streaming the entire Levon Helm 70th Birthday Bash from Mountain Jam 2010 beginning at 8:40 EDT

[rte100expat]

really nothing to add to everyone's wonderful sentiments - just thankful to be able to come here and share a little reflection and respect.

[toofarnorth]

A few things of interest that I've caught on visits to my twitter timeline today ....

NPR has combined their 1993 and 2007 interviews with Levon ... audio .. and highlights from the 2007 interview in print too

Canadian TV interview with Ronnie Hawkins


54 Musicians Remember Levon Helm ... a compilation by Paste Magazine


**********
and I liked reading these since I'm a bit of a Wilco fan.. that might be an understatement

"Levon was the glue, not just in The Band, but in all of what people think of when they think of North American music. He was a great unifier; a great glue. He unified blues and country, rural and city, and even North and South. Luckily he showed us all the way to keep it together and let it swing."
- Jeff Tweedy

"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

Photo: Rick Levinson, Solid Sound 2011

[tipiboy]

Thanks all, what a man. From Catherine Popper:

" Trying to make Fred Tackett laugh

Before Levon started having the rambles, there would be jam sessions in the barn. We would play or not play, people would just stop by and everyone was welcome. Sandy gave my dog Jake an entire ham hock once. i have a recording of me and Levon and Amy playing in the kitchen when he first started singing again and it fills me with hope when i hear it. i can't think of a more universally loved person, especially one with OPINIONS like he's got.. Shakes the hand of every musician he meets. The first time we played and locked in, i grew up and didn't give a shit what anyone thought about my playing anymore and smiled a lot more onstage. i played the ramble with him and the band a couple of times and i could barely keep up with the 4 hours of music they would play. Fueled by pure joy and love of music. My heart goes out to the ramble family, the musicians and anyone who was affected by the cranky old redneck like i was."

Respect indeed

[toofarnorth]

thank you for bringing Cat's words here, Tipi ... so appreciate her sharing some of what must be a treasure trove of wonderful memories

[Dino Martini]

On CBS Sunday Morning:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?...in;contentBody

[toofarnorth]

Cleaning up some open tabs and can't remember who I got the link from, but I'm very grateful to "whoever"

The Band - August 1, 1973 - Roosevelt Stadium, NJ - Across the Endless Highway

soundboard recording .. can download in mp3 or flac

Tracklist:
1. Back To Memphis
2. Loving You (Has Made My Life Sweeter Than Ever)
3. The Shape I'm In
4. The Weight
5. Stage Fright
6. I Shall Be Released
7. Don't Do It
8. Endless Highway
9. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
10. Across the Great Divide
11. This Wheel's On Fire
12. Life Is A Carnival
13. Share Your Love
14. Up In Cripple Creek
15. Chest Fever
16. W.S. Walcott Medicine Show
17. Saved (from 7/31/73 show)


******************************************

also .. I remembered this site from 2007 ... and lo and behold it is still there .. and functioning !

Endless Highway .. it was (is) a The Band tribute album

I could tell you more but ....oh, just go look around and listen for yourself



ETA: the Where to buy list is sort of depressing .. Amazon still has it

[JSJoyce]

http://www.highergroundmusic.com/event/hug-your-farmer

Event Information

Select Design & Higher Ground Present
Hug Your Farmer: A Tribute To Levon Helm
A Benefit For NOFA VT's Farmer Emergency Fund

Featuring the 'Hug Your Farmer House Band' - Bob Wagner, Clint Bierman, Peter Day, Ray Paczkowski, Ron Rost, Steve Hadeka - joined by Ryan Miller of Guster, Will Evans of Barefoot Truth, Stephen Kellogg, The Sweet Remains, Joshua Panda, Matt Hagen & Mike Clifford of Lendway, Anders Parker and special guest Jon Fishman.

'Hug Your Farmer' is a call to action- an expression of pride in the community, the idea that music and food run deep here and can bring us together to affect change. Levon epitomized this deep connection, and we're thrilled to celebrate his music and his legacy by bringing great musicians together for an event that raises money for NOFA VT's Farmer Emergency Fund.

[tipiboy]

And I'm so going! Went to the first HYF and it was epic! Joshua Panda singing I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends on his back!?! Can't recommend it highly enough!

Don't know if you all have seen this shot ... Levon's Last Waltz from Rick Danko: http://preview.tinyurl.com/dx6phct

[toofarnorth]

And I'm so going! Went to the first HYF and it was epic! Joshua Panda singing I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends on his back!?! Can't recommend it highly enough!

If wishes were horses - I'd have a freaking herd !!!! .. this year should be epic too even if a bit sad.
Have a blast celebrating Levon's life and music... then come back and tell us about it.

Don't know if you all have seen this shot ... Levon's Last Waltz from Rick Danko: http://preview.tinyurl.com/dx6phct

It's on Levon's site too ... grabbed an embed for you