RIP Levon Helm

[211poundsofpork]

Nothing much else to say that you guys haven't already mentioned as I've been soaking in the posts the past couple of days about Levon. Really touched by Robertson's comments as well. Just a real emotional day today following the sad news. What to do now? Let the music play...

[tinnitus photography]

I regret that I missed my chance to see The Band. They were opening for The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field (the last ever Dead show, as it turned out) but we decided to hang in the parking lot rather than see The Band play.

two bad decisions were made that day.

[bovine knievel]

Wolfgang's Vault remembers Levon.

[LuthierJustin]

I remember riding in the car with my parents and brother and my mom and brother were watching this movie in the back, I get car sick s I was sitting up front, and this really gruff voice comes on and I turned back and looked at my brother and he was like "yeah, its Levon Helm"

[Zip City]

I regret that I missed my chance to see The Band. They were opening for The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field (the last ever Dead show, as it turned out) but we decided to hang in the parking lot rather than see The Band play.

two bad decisions were made that day.

I've never been a Dead fan, and that concert didn't change my mind. It was a total bore. Should've watched The Band and skipped the Dead

[Steve French]

I remember riding in the car with my parents and brother and my mom and brother were watching this movie in the back, I get car sick s I was sitting up front, and this really gruff voice comes on and I turned back and looked at my brother and he was like "yeah, its Levon Helm"

I just came on to post that clip: I really enjoyed that film.

[John A Arkansawyer]

You really need to see this one with the caption.

[scotto]

You really need to see this one with the caption.

Very cool.
I grew up in Northwest Arkansas (about 20 minutes from Fayetteville) and I remember a huge billboard of The Band's second album gracing College Avenue when I was a kid in 1969-70.

[Rocky]

Robert Earl King's song about the man

http://video.pbs.org/video/1618751533/

[beantownbubba]

Just curious and very much hoping this doesn't accidentally push the wrong hot button: It seems that the world has settled on "The Weight" as Levon's signature tune as far as being the song that seems to accompany a lot of the tributes/obits and of course it was the song DBT chose to play (wonderfully) last nite. But if i had to pick one my first impulse would be "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." To me that's always been virtually synonymous w/ Levon Helm. Any thoughts on why it seems to be the one and not the other?

FWIW, I was reminded yesterday of a terrific version of "The Weight" by Ringo Starr's Traveling All Stars which is on the Levon collection The Ties That Bind. Levon takes 3 verses, Dr. John and Rick Danko take the other 2 and Clarence Clemons and Nils Lofgren make nice contributions as well.

[cortez the killer]

I probably prefer "TNTDODD" over "The Weight" as well bubba. However, "The Weight" just might be one of the most recognizable, iconic songs in rock history. Then again, what the fuck do I know?

[cortez the killer]

"When I heard the Band's Music from Big Pink, their music changed my life. And Levon was a big part of that band. Nigel Olson, my drummer, will tell you that every drummer that heard him was influenced by him. He was the greatest drummer and a wonderful singer and just a part of my life that was magical. They once flew down to see me in Philadelphia and I couldn't believe it. They were one of the greatest bands of all time. They really changed the face of music when their records came out. I had no idea he was sick so I'm very dismayed and shocked that he died so quickly. But now my son [Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John] has his name."
- Elton John

[Iowan]

I probably prefer "TNTDODD" over "The Weight" as well bubba. However, "The Weight" just might be one of the most recognizable, iconic songs in rock history. Then again, what the fuck do I know?

This.

I prefer The Weight. It may be cliche, but it really is one of the best songs of all time.

[John A Arkansawyer]

What bugged me about the NYT obituary was, well, just about everything. Levon's post-Band career is a footnote; the photo is an old photo of The Band; the headline uses the phrase "rough-throated singer". The first of those things is Jon Pareles' fault and the rest is probably not.

Just curious and very much hoping this doesn't accidentally push the wrong hot button: It seems that the world has settled on "The Weight" as Levon's signature tune as far as being the song that seems to accompany a lot of the tributes/obits and of course it was the song DBT chose to play (wonderfully) last nite. But if i had to pick one my first impulse would be "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." To me that's always been virtually synonymous w/ Levon Helm. Any thoughts on why it seems to be the one and not the other?

I have some thoughts on "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" which I'll keep to myself for now, but I will say this: When I drove my young daughter to school in the morning and played that CD, I hit skip on that song. I don't want her to have the tight emotional attachment I have to it.

Now, "The Weight" is universal. The setting and the specific characters seem very south to me, but it's still a story that could be told anywhere, by anyone. Consider how many people have covered it and how many styles it adapts itself to. To use an overused concept, it's mythic.

That said, the Band song I think of when I think of Levon is "Up On Cripple Creek". It's a happy song about drinking and screwing and loving. What's so interesting to me about me, though, is how the Dirt Farmer CD is becoming how I think most of Levon on record.

FWIW, I was reminded yesterday of a terrific version of "The Weight" by Ringo Starr's Traveling All Stars which is on the Levon collection The Ties That Bind. Levon takes 3 verses, Dr. John and Rick Danko take the other 2 and Clarence Clemons and Nils Lofgren make nice contributions as well.

Ringo has great taste in musicians and is underrated himself. I've long regretted not seeing any of those tours.

[John A Arkansawyer]

Some local folks recall Levon.

[cortez the killer]

[Tequila Cowboy]

On the right day I may very well call The Weight the greatest song ever written. I'm pretty certain I've said that here before. Even more than that is the fact the song is nearly universally known among musicians. For that reason alone I feel that it is the perfect tribute to Levon.

[Iowan]

On the right day I may very well call The Weight the greatest song ever written. I'm pretty certain I've said that here before. Even more than that is the fact the song is nearly universally known among musicians. For that reason alone I feel that it is the perfect tribute to Levon.

I'd have to agree with you on all of this.

The Weight is almost the perfect embodiment of what rock and roll is supposed to mean.

[Clams]

You really need to see this one with the caption.

Very cool.
I grew up in Northwest Arkansas (about 20 minutes from Fayetteville) and I remember a huge billboard of The Band's second album gracing College Avenue when I was a kid in 1969-70.

Seeing that pic makes me wonder how anyone can question whether they're an "American" band.

[beantownbubba]

The Weight is almost the perfect embodiment of what rock and roll is supposed to mean.

Can you explain this, please?

[one belt loop]

On the right day I may very well call The Weight the greatest song ever written. I'm pretty certain I've said that here before. Even more than that is the fact the song is nearly universally known among musicians. For that reason alone I feel that it is the perfect tribute to Levon.

I'd have to agree with you on all of this.

The Weight is almost the perfect embodiment of what rock and roll is supposed to mean.

Plus so many people have this huge emotional attachment to the song, not just in regards to Levon, but to their entire lives. As Mr. Arkansawyer said, it could be happening anywhere in the world, anywhere the Devil is hanging out. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is quite specific in time and place, and I think that makes a difference.

It's just so LOVED. I am pretty sure that every person in the place sang that first verse along with Patterson last night (and most of them probably didn't mangle the lyrics. *ahem*).

I have been listening to The Weight to help me get out my tears (the "won't you feed him when you can" line always makes me cry, anyway), but when I want to boogie with Levon, it's Ophelia all the way.

[Rocky]

Seeing that pic makes me wonder how anyone can question whether they're an "American" band.

The Band most definitely sang and played Americana but I consider them a Canadian band. Can we still be freinds?

[RevMatt]

Probably too early to speculate on this but a friend and I were talking about it yesterday. Do you think Levon's wife and daughter will continue hosting The Ramble? It wouldn't be the same without Levon but it is such a great concept. Maybe do it with guest hosts.

[RolanK]

I got a "Best of" album with the Band years ago, but didn't really pay much attention to it. Then, years later I bought a copy of "The Last Waltz" DVD, and my perception of music changed. That's when it all started.

Thank you Levon, for the Music. May you rest in peace.

[cortez the killer]

Can we still be freinds?

We can if you acknowledge that Elvis, not Robert Earl, was "The King."

[bovine knievel]

I have been listening to The Weight to help me get out my tears (the "won't you feed him when you can" line always makes me cry, anyway), but when I want to boogie with Levon, it's Ophelia all the way.

Ophelia makes me want to boogie too.

[bovine knievel]

Can we still be freinds?

We can if you acknowledge that Elvis, not Robert Earl, was "The King."

[Penny Lane]

Probably too early to speculate on this but a friend and I were talking about it yesterday. Do you think Levon's wife and daughter will continue hosting The Ramble? It wouldn't be the same without Levon but it is such a great concept. Maybe do it with guest hosts.

i think they've got a really amazing thing going..and since Levon's only been singing a handful of songs in the past couple years, i don't see why they can't keep some sort of Ramble going...i hope they keep his home a museum and studio, too

[Iowan]

The Weight is almost the perfect embodiment of what rock and roll is supposed to mean.

Can you explain this, please?

No.

I'm not being obtuse, I'm just not sure how to put these thoughts into words.

[one belt loop]

The Weight is almost the perfect embodiment of what rock and roll is supposed to mean.

Can you explain this, please?

No.

I'm not being obtuse, I'm just not sure how to put these thoughts into words.

See "huge emotional attachment," above