Levon Helm has died

[robertlouis]

It's just been announced that Levon Helm, drummer and vocalist with The Band, died tonight after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 71.

Here he is at its finest. Jesus' feet will be tapping tonight.

[fxtech]

"The Band" R.I.P. Levon. The Last Waltz one of the greatest rock movies of all time.

[buttslinger]

[Prospero]

I can't find confirmation of this. I found a news item posted eight hours ago saying he is dying - but not dead. But the news is still grim. What a great musician. What a loss.

http://www.savevid.com/video/levon-h...fway-home.html

[buttslinger]

I read his book, Ronnie Hawkins used to "fine" him for smoking in the car. He was real critical of Robbie Robertson...... Working with Dylan in the 60s ....whew! Does it get any better than that?

[robertlouis]

I read his book, Ronnie Hawkins used to "fine" him for smoking in the car. He was real critical of Robbie Robertson...... Working with Dylan in the 60s ....whew! Does it get any better than that?

Read Across the Great Divide by Barney Hoskyns, the biography of The Band and their music.

I reckon that Robbie was seduced into movies after the experience of working with Scorsese on The Last Waltz - he's appeared in films and done lots of soundtracks - and that Levon blamed Richard's lonely death on Robbie's refusal to reunite the band.

BTW, has there ever been a better concert/interview rock movie than The Last Waltz? I know I'm the resident Band freak, but musically they could do no wrong for me.

[Prospero]

http://www.levonhelm.com/

[giovanni_hotel]

Isn't that the second member of The Band who's died from cancer???

[Stavros]

He may be dying of cancer, but he isn't dead yet, and I wouldn't want him to die either He was born in Arkansas and his second name was Lavon, which seems an odd name -had it been Levon he could have been Armenian as it is an Armenian name. As it is he is not dead yet. As for the music, let me be honest, I always thought there was a spelling mistake there: The Bland would be more appropriate.

The best film about this sort of thing is The Great Rock 'n' Rock Swindle.

[Prospero]

Stavros - Robert louis will be after you with an icepick... and don't think hiding in Mexico will help!