Levon Helm

"In the final stages of his battle with cancer" 

Earlier this month, Levon Helm canceled a date at Montclair's Wellmont Theatre.

His family released this statement earlier today:


"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"

Now, I'm not going to pretend that I'm some kind of student of The Band, but Helm's vocals on "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Up On Cripple Creek," "Ophelia," and "The Weight" are what made those songs so great.  As the only true Southerner in a band that drew so heavily on the American South for its sound, he was a huge part of one of rock's most influential bands.

Though I may have never heard some of The Band's or Helm's own deepest cuts, I've heard Wilco, Blitzen Trapper, Deer Tick, REM, Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, Drive-By Truckers, The Hold Steady, and countless others.

So have a drink for Levon Helm tonight and wish him safe travels.

P.S., If you're on Spotify, Rolling Stone has put up a playlist of some of Helm's best performances, including his excellent cover of "Atlantic City."

Update 4/19:  Levon Helm passed away this afternoon.