Levon Helm

[Spruce]

It brings tears to my eyes.

As will this....
A wonderful piece of writing....

[HogTime]

I grew up in Fayetteville, Arkansas and frequently saw Levon around town or playing at one of the local nightclubs with Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks. At least cancer didn't get him the first go around and he survived to get some well deserved Grammies.

RIP fellow Arkie,

[journeybear]

Hold on, now - not so fast. He hasn't left us yet, not just yet. This is from his facebook page, though admittedly 10 hours ago:

Thank you, all, for the outpouring of kindness and love. I know Levon is feeling it and that love will help guide him through this final journey. Thank you for your respect for his, Sandy's and Amy's privacy. YOU are truly people with class and Levon would think the world of you. The pain of knowing we're going to lose him is almost too much for all of us to bear at the moment. But it can't be about US. This is about honoring this great man's dignity and privacy. Let's send him off with love, positive energy, lots of light and words of support and comfort. Keep sending the great posts. I'm going to read them all to him. Thank you so, so much!

I had no idea these posts were actually going to get to him when I posted. I might have said even more than I had. This is a truly remarkable and very human use of this unusual communication system.

On a side note - interesting to recall that Levon was the lead singer on all three Band songs my band does regularly. These are also listed in his wikipedia page's opening paragraph: "The Weight," "Up on Cripple Creek," and "Ophelia" - though not "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" (though I did mention this at last week's gig, falling as it did on the 147th anniversary of that occasion). In fact, we start just about every show with "Up on Cripple Creek." If he passes before next Monday, it will be tough getting through the gig. Indeed, whenever he passes.

[Larry S Sherman]

I really like this short video:



Larry

[Ed Goist]

RIP Levon Helm
26 May 1940 - 19 April 2012

[Galileo]

Another sad day...seems like there has been to many of recent.

[Markus]

From Levon's Facebook page:

"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."

Rest in peace.

Brilliant musician and beautiful soul, yes indeed.

[George R. Lane]

Sorry for the double post.

[Spruce]

Ya know, I've been thinking the past few days a lot about Levon....
And how I would have a hard time coming up with a musician who I admired more....
What a total class act...

[Mark Hudson]

Even knowing this was coming I'm at a loss for words... Levon, we'll miss you!

[wellvis@well.com]

Rest in Peace.

[farmerjones]

Thanks Larry, that was very good.
It reminds me of the passing of John Hartford.
These few that are "made of music" are sadly slipping away.
We're so lucky to have means to record the blessings they have bestowed upon us.
If you don't have one, get a copy of Ramble at the Ryman.

[Elliot Luber]

‎"And he shall be Levon. And he shall be a good man." -- Elton John.
He was.

[Charles E.]

It's strange how the passing of someone I have never met can have such a real and sad impact. God speed Levon.

[jim simpson]

I'm glad I got to see Levon with The Band so many years back. I remember seeking out Big Pink on a trip to Woodstock and having my picture taken in front the house (when it was still painted pink). I enjoyed Levon in Coal Miner's Daughter. He seemed so genuine portraying the father. It does seem liking losing a friend I've never met but grew up with.
Thank you Levon.

[J.Albert]

"I remember seeking out Big Pink on a trip to Woodstock and having my picture taken in front the house (when it was still painted pink)."

It's still Pink. Took a trip up there yesterday, and then to Levon's place on Plochman Lane. Very quiet there, not sure if he got to spend his last days at home by the swamp. (Edit - Levon was at the Memorial Sloane-Kettering Center in NYC)

What a life Levon lived -- witnessing bluegrass before it -was- "bluegrass" (one of his first musical heros was Bill Monroe, hence, the mandolin), being around for the early days of rock 'n' roll (and traveling with Ronnie Hawkins), Dylan and the days in the Pink house, The Band, films, his fight with cancer back in the late 90's. The reaper came too early for him.

And what a voice! As an aside, what if Levon had not been pulled away from bluegrass by rock? We might be honoring him as one of the great bluegrass singers!

Rest in peace, Levon.
And God Bless!

[Mark Hudson]

And what a voice! As an aside, what if Levon had not been pulled away from bluegrass by rock? We might be honoring him as one of the great bluegrass singers!

Rest in peace, Levon.
And God Bless!

One of the worlds great rock drummers, but strangely, I don't consider him a rock musician... just a great musician... I think he would have been in the top tier of whatever music he pursued... I'm just glad he blessed us with his presence... RIP...

[Laird]

[mtucker]

We've lost a true national treasure...

[Laird]

Here's another clip from the Ryman that better captures the exuberance that he retained right up to the end:

[Barry Platnick]

I was listening to him on you tube last night and thinking " I need to play that cripple creek at the jam again".
Now I will for sure

[J.Albert]

Article and links from local paper here:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbc...TAIN/120419640

[bones12]

That such a musical talent was with us for such a short time indeed is humbling. Time passes quickly. RIP. May his family know how many he has influenced. Doug in Vermont

[bigskygirl]

Dang....RIP Levon

[MikeEdgerton]

Another shot of Levon playing the mandolin.