[www.jambands.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-04-20 09:36 by bv.

This is very sad indeed.
Get well soon Levon.

Get well soon Levon! We'll never forget your contribution to musical history.

Keep on rollin'
Gangster

Sad indeed. Thoughts to Levon.

I hope this is just a rumor and there is nothing to it. All the best to Mr Helm.

Why put "critically ill" in the subject? That just leads to rumours. There's no evidence that he's critically ill. He's recovering from a bad back.

I sincerely hope that it's just his back (not to diminish from severe back pain - I know it can be dreadful but it's not "critical").

Be well, Levon!

I got to pay my respects and shake Levon's hand one time. To paraphrase Neil Young..."It was one of the great pleasures of my life...."

DAMN! That hit me like a sledgehammer. Careful with that wording there sweetthing, the source looks a bit shakey. I will start my prayers for Levon today just in case. Terrible news...just awful. Levon is a gentlemans gentleman and a musician's musician. Bless his whole damn mess. peace

No, there isn't any "evidence" here.

I hope it isn't true. There IS a link however that refers to him being on his "death bed".

Hence the post, the link (source) and the question marks ( lack of "evidence" ) .

Its just a question. Levon Helm is NOT a young man.

Hopefully it is "just" his back, though as noted above, slip discs etc can be excruciating.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012-04-17 04:01 by SweetThing.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-04-17 04:00 by SweetThing.

Best wishes to him, I hope he's OK...one of the best voices in the history of rock, and a unique drummer. He's like a jazz drummer playing rock. And he sings while playing!

There is a pose everyone in my band does freom time to time which means "you can do it" play and sing at the same time. Shore it up.

Its head to the side , face squinched up and hands up poised to hit the next beats, right in the pocket. It comes from Levon. You know what I'm talkin' about. peace

He's no longer in the New Orleans Jazzfest lineup. Warren Haynes took his spot.

And in an unrelated Jazzfest substitution, Jimmy Buffett is subbing for Eddie Vedder, who postposed his solo tour due to an injury.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-04-17 07:25 by ab.

[www.arktimes.com]

Really sad.
[www.levonhelm.com]

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Keep On Rolling

I thought he might have had the cancer beat at least in remission, stay strong Levon your one tough cracker.

Oh no! Very sad. Being a drummer myself, he is definitely a big influence on my playing. I'm glad I got to see him in concert last summer.

Very sad,I've been listening to The Last Waltz in the car all this week without realizing he was so ill

Levon Helm in "final stages" of cancer battle, family says


Story by Rob Evans
SoundSpike Editor
Published April 17, 2012 02:25 PM

Drummer and singer Levon Helm, best known for his work behind the kit with The Band, is dying of cancer, according to his family.

"Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer," reads a statement from Helm's daughter, Amy and wife, Sandy, posted today on Helm's website. "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," the statement concluded.

Helm, 71, was diagnosed with throat cancer and recovered in the late '90s, but it was many years before he could sing again. His career got new life in recent years playing so-called Midnight Ramble shows (with guests that have included the likes of Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello and Donald Fagen) at his home studio in Woodstock, NY.

Word of Helm's grave illness comes as a surprise, as he was still playing shows earlier this spring. In early April, he recently called off his scheduled Midnight Rambles for April 7 and 14, citing back problems, and also canceled a planned show Montclair, NJ. Earlier this week, he pulled out of a planned performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, citing back problems.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-04-18 01:41 by tatters.

Sam Cutler just wrote RIP Levon Helms on Facebook. :-(

JumpingKentFlash

He's not gettin' well. He gettin' dead, my friend.

This is from just a few weeks ago. This is why discussions about "What are they gonna do after they retire?" are so ridiculous. You don't retire. You die thinking about the gigs you're going to play when you feel better again.

Very sad.

One of the greatest is going away
Carlitos
Tenerife

The Weight is one of the best fukking songs ever written. Fare you well, dear Levon.

Quote
JumpingKentFlash
Sam Cutler just wrote RIP Levon Helms on Facebook. :-(

Sam did that....? I didn't see that -- he must've taken it down.

__________________

tatters -- great post and great video!

A friend emailed yesterday "I saw Levon 3 and a half weeks ago and was in strong voice, played the drums effortlessly, and stepped out front to sing and play several tunes on the mando. We were backstage after the show and detected no 'health vibe' whispers or anything like that."

So---to what you're saying, tatters, "You die thinking about the gigs you're going to play when you feel better again."

And hopefully 3 weeks before you're on your deathbed you're getting people up and dancing!!

-swiss

Very sad. Thought about naming my dog Levon but ended up going with Charlie.

ROCKMAN