Levon Helm in ‘final stages of his battle with cancer’

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: Washington Post

Levon Helm, the legendary 71-year-old drummer-singer of The Band, is in “the final stages of his battle with cancer,” according to a note posted on his Web site by his wife and daughter.

“Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way though this part of his journey,” the note reads.

Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer more than a decade ago, but made a recovery and returned to the stage. Even though the illness took a toll on h

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/levon-helm-in-final-stages-of-his-battle-with-cancer/2012/04/17/gIQAli7nOT_blog.html

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[abq e streeter]

1. Saw this awful news earlier today

"National treasure " is sometimes a terribly overused term, but in the case of Levon Helm, I think it's appropriate. Prayers for a safe and peaceful passage to him.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

3. heck of a nice guy, too

met him after an NPR taping in 1996 and he was kind enough to listen to my 17-year-old fanboy babble for longer than he should have.

[abq e streeter]

9. Awesome that you got to meet him.

Always seemed like he must've been a nice guy. Glad to hear it confirmed. BTW, I read his autobiography, This Wheel's On Fire a couple of years ago. An amazing life, and the wonderful music he made has enriched all of our lives. Forever...

[roguevalley]

13. what sad news. Awesome band. My youth is dying away. :(

[Bennyboy]

2. I been freaking out on this for two days now...

o sad. Never got to a ramble was really gonna try when Carolyn Wonderland played there again. So sad. A treasure.

[radiclib]

4. This is just devastating news

In my view, Levon is as close to a musical saint as this country has produced. He has a pure and abiding love for his craft that is contagious, and his legacy is enormous. For Levon, music is everything and the only thing.
Safe travels, Mr. Helm. You are greatly loved.

[Richardo]

5. The perfect clip

Thanks for posting that.

Peace and strength to Levon and the Helm family.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

12. another good one

[DontTreadOnMe]

6. A photo I took just this last Fall ...

Levon has been a hero of mine since High School. He is the nicest person you could ever meet.

You can see it in his smile.

[img][/img]


Levon and his band joining the Allman Brothers Band at the Beacon Theater - March 9, 2009

[img][/img]

[progressoid]

11. Very nice. n/t

[dipsydoodle]

15. Great picture

Thanks for posting.

[riverbendviewgal]

7. I saw the Band live with Bob Dylan in Toronto

in January 1974... What a night..awesome..
My favorite Band song is The Waltz.

71 doesn't sound that old now . I am 6 years behind....Thanks for the you tube.
I always loved Levon...It is so sad to hear he is very ill.


His music will with us forever.

[abq e streeter]

8. Saw them in Chicago a week before the Toronto show.Magnificent, wasn't it?

Opening night of the tour.

[nolabear]

10. No words.

Some people ought to get a pass.

[guitar man]

14. Levon is an American Icon

Great Spirit bless and be with him on his journey to the great beyond

Here are a couple of my favorite performances of his, with the first edition of Ringo's All Starr band. Rick Danko, Billy Preston and Clarence Clemmons are performing with him here.... may they all play together again

&feature=related

[era veteran]

16. Oh he will be missed

I so wanted to get up to New York and see a Midnight Ramble.

[cali]

17. Oh no. Levon, my prayers and thoughts are with you

[cali]

18. One more thing: The Weight is the finest of heartbreaks.

And I mean that in the best way possible.

[CBHagman]

19. Sorry to hear this.

One of the greats of American music.

[leftynyc]

20. Wishing for a peaceful and painless passage

An amazing artist who brought much joy with his music.

[Botany]

21. This one hurts

I pulled into Nazareth, was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
"Hey, Mister, can you tell me, where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, "No" was all he said

**********************

[hifiguy]

22. May you have a calm and peaceful passage,

Mr. Helm. You are a genuine American musical icon. Thanks for all the great music and memories.

[man4allcats]

23. Sad to hear this.

My thoughts are with you, Levon. The Band was a great band, and The Weight was and still is one of my favorite songs.

[spiderpig]

24. How sad.

One of my all-time favorite movies is The Right Stuff, and an iconic line is from Chuck Yeager (Sam Shepard) "Hey Ridley - you got any Beeman's?" And Ridley (Levon Helm) responds "Yeah, I might have me a stick."

I saw the film when it opened back in 83 (had to go back a second night because it was sold out). Brilliant, and launched the careers of many actors.