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Yosemite under Orion's gaze

Thursday, April 19, 2012





I don't cry too often when artists pass but I lost it for a minute today thinking about Levon. And Rick Danko too for that matter. The Band had an incalculable effect on music and on me and I was privileged to watch them perform on several occasions. With an honesty and a purity not often found in this sometimes harsh world of ours.

Levon was a tough man from Arkansas, a scrapper and a one time roughneck on the derricks.  I remember reading in his bio about the time he threatened to bite a guy's nose off. Great singer, drummer, guitarist, mandolin player, actor, what have you. A musician's musician.

May the four winds blow you safely home, Levon Helm.

6 comments:

Daisy Deadhead said...

I had not heard this news. :( Thanks for telling me, but so sad.

http://daisysdeadair.blogspot.com/2012/04/levon-helm-1940-2012.html

What about young Anna Lee? (sobs)

Sanoguy said...

I have known about the Band and their music for a long time and have always liked their music. I was not very knowledgable about their members including Levon. I downloaded a few of their songs today and have been listening fondly.

Thanks for the tribute!!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

The Band wrote music about life. To lose 3 members so tragically, it just reminds us of our own borrowed time, our last waltz. KJ

grumpy said...

hard to pick a favorite original Band member, they all are and were indispensable and irreplaceable, but Levon seemed like the heart and soul of the group somehow, to me anyways. adios amigo and thanks for the memories.

North County Film Club said...

Made me cry, too. I love "The Band".
That sure was an "all star cast" in that video. Can you name them all?
That was quite a shirt on Ronnie!
Thanks, that was great.
Barbara