Levon Helm the drummer of The Band–(in the middle here):
He died a few days before his 72nd birthday, after a long battle with cancer of the throat.
His soaring voice on the Band’s The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down always makes my hair stand on end.
I saw them live two nights running at the Albert Hall in London, in the mid-seventies.
The group had not played in the UK since being booed off stage when they backed Bob Dylan at the Isle of Wight Festival at the end of the sixties.
Dylan fans were objecting to him “going electric”.
As I approached my entrance door I passed the artists’ Stage Door, where a large black Austin Princess limo had just parked and THEY were getting out–an unexpected thrill!
A moment after finding my seat they walked onto the stage and started the set without a word.
After giving a stunning performance and being rapturously received–Robbie Robertson, the Canadian lead guitarist, spoke quietly into the mic saying: “Thank you and good night,“–the only direct address to the audience that night. Then he, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Levon Helm left the stage. Clearly the memory of the Isle of Wight still lingered.
As I walked round the building heading for home, a black Austin Princess glided silently passed me gathering speed.
I went back the following night.
Robin Ellis 
Thank you for sharing your memories, Robin! I had the pleasure of seeing the Levon Helm Band in NYC in January 2010, feel so lucky, it was wonderful!
I spent the summer of 1969 listening to the Big Pink album over and over — “The Weight” was one of my favorites — marveling at how great the music was, without any of the rock-star trappings. RIP Levon — your music will live on forever.
I’m with you on this one! He was one of the truly greats for sure. I’ve got a DVD that you’d probably enjoy. It’s an old US series called Making of the Album and this hour long DVD is for Music from the BIg Pink. So lots of interviews with Helms and the others as well. As you say, he will be missed.
…what a shame, i remember them too – didnt they do a wonderful cover of Rag Mama Rag?? ….
They did indeed.
Robin, you can tell a story. Never stop writing.
Thanks Brenda
Thanks for sharing the video…one of my favorite songs — even though I am a Midwest girl!!
The Band were one of my favorite bands back then. Never saw them live, but still have all my LPS.
Robin Ellis, I am so happy to have learned that you are not only a Dead Head but that you love Levon Helm and The Band. My husband and I saw The Band in a small club in Washington DC when we were first married. They served you dinner at this place and we sat in the front row eating Tacos and Burritos. I was in heaven. My friends later said that they were jealous because they said Levon was looking straight at me all night and smiling. I was in heaven! Yesterday I played Levon Helm all day. It was my prayer to him.
And, p.s. I was a member of the Poldark Club in the 90’s – all the way across the pond!
Your taste was impeccable! I envy you being in the front row–what a memory.
Carolyn Collen-DuBose (corrected)
Levon Helm also acted in movies. He played Loretta Lynn’s father in the movie “Coal Miner’s Daughter” which starred Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones. A movie worth seeing.
My heart did a dip when I heard the news. I never got to see The Band “live” (envy all of you who did!) but still do my housework to a “Best of the Band” CD. You can do a lot of dusting to “Up on Cripple Creek.”
Sad news, Robin. I almost mentioned it yesterday; after discovering you were a Deadhead, thought you might want to know…But all the greetings were happy ones for Meredith at the time. I had the pleasure of hearing Levon & Rick Danko play with Ringo’s very first All-Starr Band in 1989–great show! They did “Cripple Creek” & of course, “The Weight.” It’s a bummer how many musicians that have gone from that tour: Billy Preston and Clarence Clemons (and John Entwistle from Ringo’s 3rd outing–I love the Who). I always feel so old when one of our music legends leave us…Of course, 1989 doesn’t seem so very long ago to me until I do the math…
Extra hugs tonight…
Finally, some happy news in the music world: Robin Gibb has woken up & has been responding (nodding) to family members!! The article said brother Barry & Robin’s kids have been singing to him!
Robin, did you see this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLCmxMrgfDA&feature=related If this doesn’t work, try You Tube, The Band – The Making of “Up On Cripple Creek” Robbie R. at the mixing board separating the tracks for the song, and Levon talking about his drumming–really cool.
Thanks, Dianne–I never understood how they got this sound of a beat hanging in the air which I love so much.
This deconstruction helps to explain it. Wonderful musicianship.
Dear Robin,Indeed very sad I love sixties & seventies music this is a very nice song.Throat cancer =(one of the most painful cancers).Also Jack Wild died a few years ago of this.A very good friend also died from tongue & throat cancer about 20 years ago,tears come in my eyes if I think how he suffered of this.We all have to take the days like they come and try to enjoy everyday because life can be short.R.I.P