The Band

[witch hobble]

If you can endure Greil Marcus, try "The Old, Weird America". It is all about The Basement Tapes (along with substantial tangents and esoterica).

From the front cover: "This book is terminal, goes deeply into the subconscious and plows through that period of time like a rake." - Bob Dylan

Definately my favorite band from "the baby boomer era".

[legalskier]

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.
http://www.levonhelm.com/

[Edd]

Man, that is the worst news. He would be a tremendous loss.

I really thought I'd catch him live at some point but I never did.

[deadheadskier]

Last week I was shocked and so saddened to hear that my old band mate, Levon, was in the final stages of his battle with cancer. It hit me really hard because I thought he had beaten throat cancer and had no idea that he was this ill. I spoke with his family and made arrangements to go and see him.

On Sunday I went to New York and visited him in the hospital. I sat with Levon for a good while, and thought of the incredible and beautiful times we had together. It was heartwarming to be greeted by his lovely daughter Amy, whom I have known since she was born. Amy’s mother, Libby Titus, and her husband, Donald Fagen, were so kind to help walk me through this terrible time of sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sandy.

Levon is one of the most extraordinary talented people I’ve ever known and very much like an older brother to me. I am so grateful I got to see him one last time and will miss him and love him forever.

-Robbie Robertson

Good on Robbie to go see him. Though from this statement, you can't tell if he and Levon actually communicated and had a bit of closure after so many years of having a sour relationship. I hope so.

[JimG.]

Good on Robbie to go see him. Though from this statement, you can't tell if he and Levon actually communicated and had a bit of closure after so many years of having a sour relationship. I hope so.

Agreed...nothing is worse than finding out an old friend/family member who you have not had a good relationship with passed after the fact. Death has a weird way of bringing folks together.

[kickstand]

Man, that is the worst news. He would be a tremendous loss.

I really thought I'd catch him live at some point but I never did.

Counting Crows wrote a song called "Richard Manuel Is Dead". In a live performance (iTunes Live from SoHo), Adam Duritz talks about writing the song and realizing he would never get to see The Band live with its original line up. Unfortunately, Helm's imminent passing is another missing piece in the puzzle.

[Scotty]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sALC...ature=youtu.be RIP thanks for the great music and you will be missed sad sad sad day

[deadheadskier]

and he's gone

RIP Levon

[Scotty]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/ne...?stop_mobi=yes some really good info here on him that a people probably know, such a sad day,

[Edd]

RIP. An awesome musician.