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The Band's Levon Helm Dead at 71 After Cancer Battle
E Online ^ | 04-19-12 | Joal Ryan

Posted on 04/19/2012 1:11:49 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA

Levon Helm carried "The Weight" for The Band, and for the Woodstock generation.

The musician died Thursday, two days after his family announced he was losing a fight to cancer.

He was 71.

"Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon," his family said in a statement. "He was surrounded by family, friends and bandmates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul."

Among those final bedside visitors was longtime Band cohort, and frequent sparring partner, Robbie Robertson. Just last weekend, Robertson wished his ailing mate well at last weekend's 2012 Rock Hall induction cerermony.

"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," Roberston recounted on his Facebook page.

"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."

(Excerpt) Read more at eonline.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: cancer; levonhelm
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RIP. The Band was one of the best groups of musicians of its era.
1 posted on 04/19/2012 1:11:53 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA
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To: Lazlo in PA

My personal favorite The Band tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaKD1Vdarnw&feature=related


2 posted on 04/19/2012 1:15:23 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: Lazlo in PA
The Last Waltz is over.

RIP, Mr. Helm. I hope he is given ample credit in the next world for the pleasure his music has given so many of us in this one.

3 posted on 04/19/2012 1:18:43 PM PDT by andy58-in-nh (America does not need to be organized: it needs to be liberated.)
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To: Lazlo in PA

“The Weight” and “Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” ... two of the best songs of all time. Sail on, Levon :-(


4 posted on 04/19/2012 1:21:33 PM PDT by Fast Moving Angel (Newt's not a perfect candidate but Jesus isn't running this year. - shoff)
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To: Lazlo in PA

I loved them (the Band), listen to them all the time.
Hope he, Levon, was believer in our Lord Jesus Christ.
It would be great to sit down with him in paradise
and chat.

Hope is Jesus Christ’s return, not the goofy
vagabond mulatto stealing from others to
gratify himself and his adopted tribe.


5 posted on 04/19/2012 1:23:14 PM PDT by Doulos1 (Bitter Clinger Forever!)
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To: Lazlo in PA

RIP Levon Helm, a great musician who gave us some great memories. Bob Dylan and The Band...sigh.


6 posted on 04/19/2012 1:24:37 PM PDT by Scott from the Left Coast
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To: Lazlo in PA

RIP.


7 posted on 04/19/2012 1:26:36 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (If you like lying Socialist dirtbags, you'll love Slick Willard)
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To: Lazlo in PA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQYj2ltJKe8&feature=fvst

I like this one, the night they drove ol Dixie down...


8 posted on 04/19/2012 1:26:36 PM PDT by Dogbert41 ("...or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. " -Jesus)
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To: Lazlo in PA

A drunkard’s dream if I ever did see one


9 posted on 04/19/2012 1:35:34 PM PDT by A_Former_Democrat
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To: Lazlo in PA
I am truly saddened....what a talented man, musician and actor

what a great ‘Band’

Hear the sound, Willie Boy,
The Flyin’ Dutchman's on the reef.
It's my belief
We've used up all our time,
This hill's to steep to climb,
And the days that remain ain't worth a dime.

10 posted on 04/19/2012 1:37:36 PM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: Lazlo in PA
Farewell Levon .. you will be missed

sigh

11 posted on 04/19/2012 1:40:24 PM PDT by tomkat (... shall NOT be abridged)
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To: Lazlo in PA

Yes, and even some of his more recent solo work was quite good. He won a few Grammys with his recent stuff, including an album called “Electric Dirt.” I liked one of the singles, called “Growing Trade.”

It was Americana, so it didn’t get a lot of FM radio play. Too busy with Justin Bieber, I guess.


12 posted on 04/19/2012 1:44:47 PM PDT by Publius Valerius
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To: tomkat

Ashes of Laughter, the ghost is clear, why do the best things always disappear.


13 posted on 04/19/2012 1:51:16 PM PDT by wordsofearnest (Proper aim of giving is to put the recipient in a state where he no longer needs it. C.S. Lewis)
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To: Lazlo in PA; a fool in paradise

One of the few late rock and roll greats, no question1


14 posted on 04/19/2012 1:51:36 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: Doulos1

Hope is Jesus Christ’s return, not the goofy
vagabond mulatto stealing from others to
gratify himself and his adopted tribe.

<><><><><><><><

Really? You feel the need to turn Levon’s passing into a political statement?


15 posted on 04/19/2012 1:53:56 PM PDT by dmz
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To: Lazlo in PA

He was also very good in Coal Miner’s Daughter.


16 posted on 04/19/2012 1:54:13 PM PDT by samanella ((I may not always be right, but I will never be left))
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To: Lazlo in PA
"RIP. The Band was one of the best groups of musicians of its era."

Yep!n Weird bunch though. Especially Garth (The Keyboardist) He is cosmically attuned to other worlds.

I'll miss Levon, he was a great Drummer and Vocalist and an excellent Actor too.

17 posted on 04/19/2012 1:55:42 PM PDT by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: Lazlo in PA

omg I had no idea. This is a terrible loss. Rock On Levon!


18 posted on 04/19/2012 2:01:10 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand
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To: dmz

Absolutely!
Always and always.
Levon is dead, pray for the living.
We are stuck with that bag of crap in Washington.
And yes Levon was a special talent.


19 posted on 04/19/2012 2:02:09 PM PDT by Doulos1 (Bitter Clinger Forever!)
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To: Lazlo in PA
RIP. The Band was one of the best groups of musicians of its era.

Of any and every era, and I really don't think I'm exaggerating.

20 posted on 04/19/2012 2:02:15 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand
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