Levon Helm

[beachkos]

Almost a Miracle ! For all he's been through over the last 10 years and all he's endured, it's great to have him back again - and let's hope he never hangs up those rock n roll shoes !

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbc...NEWS/703180338

Regards, Gary

[Telemarkman]

I'm very happy to hear that.

Levon is a very musical drummer, who PLAYS the drums instead of beating them like most rock drummers do. He also plays the mandolin, guitar and bass, which probably is of advantage in his drumming. Of course he's also a great rock singer with a very recognizable voice, and he has co-written some of the Band's best songs with Robbie Robertson.

[Larry F]

I recently finished his bio, This Wheel's On Fire. He has some serious issues with Robertson, many concerning Robertson's claiming that what Helm considered joint compositions as solely his. He also has issues with Robertson's role in the Last Waltz, pointing out that the camera was always on him (I noticed that myself) and appeared to be conducting the band with his guitar. Helm was also miffed that with the camera on Robertson so much, very little was shown of Richard Manuel. Robertson lived in a house with Scorsese, who directed the film, and they both edited it together. At a screening of the film, Ronnie Hawkins, the leader of the Hawks, said loudly, "We could have used more shots of Robbie."

Something I didn't know. The name the Band wasn't chosed by them. When their first album came out, that's the name that appeared on it.

[Markl8]

Levon also has midnight ramble's at his home/studio in Woodstock. Theyre casual jams different guest players.

http://levonhelm.com/index1.htm

[eddiewagner]

thats great to hear. the king of the singing drummasters is back. i really like singing drummers... i don´t know exactly why, but i do.

[trandy16]

He's a heck of an actor too...rememeber him in "Coal Miner's Daughter"?

[Rasmuth]

He's a heck of an actor too...rememeber him in "Coal Miner's Daughter"?

I liked him in "The Right Stuff" also.

[Joel Terry]

Levon is one of my absolute favorite singers, and certainly one of my favorite musicians--he's my favorite drummer just behind Stewart Copeland.

I'm glad to know he's soldiering onward.

Joel

[beachkos]

I'm reviving this from a few weeks back just to update everyone. I was talking with a friend of mine this morning, who is good personal friends with Levon, and he was telling me that Levon is in receivership from his bankruptcy and faces losing his house and studio in Woodstock. His money woes are legendary and it looks like he's burned up all of his nine lives, financially. He could easily turn around his monetary misfortune with a "tour" but refuses to do it because of the temptations of the road. He won't accept any "charity" donations, but it seems to me that a superstar concert benefit for Levon could cure all his woes right now. I just throw this out there in case anyone who has the contacts to make this happen, or anyone not aware of his circumstances might come to his aid. It's a longshot, but i just hate to stand by while someone who has given the music industry so much, is now left with so little, and even less once the vultures are done with him. I'd hate to see this story have a sad ending.
Regards, Gary

[austintele]

one of the most musicial souls on earth

just watch "night they drove old dixie down" from the last waltz

[Disastercaster]

That's just absolutely brillaint news. Thanks for that.

[zombywoof]

Good to see him back.

I saw Levon was at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in 2001. Also caught him at the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival a few years back.


BTW, I always figgered that drumming and singing at the same time has got to be tough.

[dibber124]

Had an opportunity to talk with LH many years ago, just a sweet wonderful guy. As a drummer has that "just right" time and that great dry tight tone any rhythm section would die to have. Good to see he is out of seclusion and hope things can turn around for him. Hey producers: he is also a great actor & could use a $$ part in a film.How About it?

[Fret Wilkes]

Originally Posted by beachkos

I'm reviving this from a few weeks back just to update everyone. I was talking with a friend of mine this morning, who is good personal friends with Levon, and he was telling me that Levon is in receivership from his bankruptcy and faces losing his house and studio in Woodstock. His money woes are legendary and it looks like he's burned up all of his nine lives, financially. He could easily turn around his monetary misfortune with a "tour" but refuses to do it because of the temptations of the road. He won't accept any "charity" donations, but it seems to me that a superstar concert benefit for Levon could cure all his woes right now.

I went to one of the Rambles at the end of last year. I assumed that he was trying to address the financial situation by expanding these shows. I had heard that the Rambles were great fun (it was) and were quite comfortable. The night I went it was packed to the gills in his studio. The price of the ticket was $100.00 and for newcomers it is now $200.00. I beleive there are more shows this year as well.

It was an honor being in Levon's studio even if it was a tad packed. Levon's face should be on Mt. Rushmore. All the best to Levon, I hope it all works out right.

[rand z]

it' hard to believe levon's broke...

i know its not cheap to live in woodstock these days, but he must get some residuals from the Band's work. and he doesnt want to tour? wow! that's what musicians of his caliber do...

anyway, im a super big longtime fan of the Band (and levon), and have seen the original line up a number of times back in the seventies (with dylan, too), and including the watkins glen extravaganza (or debacle, depending on what you remember of it). they were one easily of the greatest bands in the history of rock and roll, ever...by combining elements of traditional "old timey" music (the ORIGINAL country musics), blues, folk, religious, and even salvation army brass band stuff, they created their own very unique style. strangely, they performed it sounding like they were 60 years old instead of their 20's or 30's. and because of that, those old voices sounded they were sitting on the edge of heaven, singing down down on us amassed followers. and the lyrics reinforced that divine feel.

it was that profound...

...and no one has replicated that sound since. (i personally believe a lot of their unique style came from garth hudson and that LOWERY organ).

all of those guitars, piano, lowery organ, mandolin, fiddle, saxaphones, bass, drums and THREE OF THE MOST UNIQUE VOICES IN THE UNIVERSE, that somehow managed to HARMONIZE into ONE AMAZING VOICE.

levon's voice is the only voice left of that amazing choir. he's lived and played through the entire history of rock and roll from the 50's till now. he deserves a better fate. there must be something that can be done.

how about the "freedom medal?" that would get him the recognition he deserves, and some lucrative work would soon follow.

imho.


rand z tropicalsoul.net

[Doug Matthews]

This is great news. The band is still my all time favorite. I have follwed them since they were the Hawk's backup band and often saw them with the Hawk at le Coq d'Or on Toronto's Yonge St.

Up front and very impressive was young Robbie and his screaming guitar. But it didn't take long to notice the solid sound that came from the rest of the band and the great vocals from Levon, Richard and Rick. Man those guys could sing rock and soul with real conviction. Also, Garth Hudson stayed true to his Lowery through the years when I'm sure he was asked a thousand times why he didn't move to a B3. I love Hammonds but they cannot create a lot of the sounds that Garth used.

When I hear "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" especially the Last Waltz vesion, I believe it and can see it with Levoin as Virgil Caine. I have read the book too. Levon and Ronnie Hawkins were close and its too bad Robbie went astray. Robbie has done nothing musically impressive since he left The Band IMHO.

Once again, I'm very happy to hear the Levon's back.

Doug.

[frank4001]

That is good see...I bet better to hear. Will that show be released on dvd?

[Harvey]

The Bands' first single on Capitol had all their names written across the label. Never saw so much type on one Capitol label before or since.

I've noticed that Robertson has not been able to come up material on par with his Band tunes which leads me to believe that Levon is telling the truth about cowriter credits been shaved off. Too bad they can't reconcile their differences.

I saw Levon in Philly a few years back with his daughter on vocals and Bobby "Brown Sugar" Keyes on sax. Glad to see that Levon is still kicking out the jams.

[Home Grown Tele]

I have a good friend who works for Levon and so I get alot of the inside skinny on what is going on with him and the Rambles.

He is pretty close to broke due to his battles with throat cancer for a number of years as well as his acknowledged battles with various substances during his career. Most musicians are pretty cavalier with their early lives and Levon was right up there in that category. That, combined with no real insurance capable of dealing with the cost of extended cancer treatment has put him on the razor edge of bankruptcy.

The Rambles are one way he has of trying to get himself financially back on his feet. He just did a limited series of shows at the Beacon Theater in NYC for St. Patricks Day weekend and sold it out in 15 minutes. The good thing about them was that he was doing old Band music.

He has steadfastly refused to do that up until now due to his feelings about Robertson and how The Band finally ended. At one point he refused to even discuss anything about those days. Maybe he has mellowed enough to get back to doing the music that he contributed so much to.

I've met him several times and he is a down to earth, prince of a guy and one of the best reconteurs of our times. He has a million stories that are just the funniest things you ever heard.

I'm proud to say I know him and agree with everyone on this thread that he is an American icon and deserves much more recognition than he has gotten to date.

If you haven't gotten to Woodstock to see a Ramble, make sure you do before they end. It's a chance to see a true performer and tremendous musician in the perfect venue, his house!

[Jeffscreamedcorn]

I've heard some of the same skinny as Home Grown. I know a few Woodstock musicians, notably Eric Mingus (Vocals) and Bruce Katz (organ), who have played the Rambles. I'm looking forward to going to one in the future....

[rand z]

boy... now sure would be an absolutely opportune time for levon and robbie to bury the hatchet. they both have to recognize each others contributions to the whole.

robbie, im pretty confident, did write many of the lyrics to those great songs. he had to as there's too much continuity to the themes, rhyme patterns and historical references. it also follows true within his lyrics and themes on his solo stuff. they're extremely similar and cant be denied... imho.

therefore his lyrics in those great BAND songs has to be recognized as a pretty significant contribution. much the same as dylan's lyrical contibutions to american music.

but the truth is, that although ive enjoyed some of robbies solo stuff, i would tend to agree that its not of the calibre of most of the BANDS material from the original days. it would behoove him to reconsider his differences with levon, for artistic interests... but, more significantly... as old friends.

levon, on the other hand, made his contributions as a rock and roller from arkansas... one of the original voices of that period of music, and a pretty good drummer as well.

his voice authenticated many of their songs.

and thats also a pretty significant contribution, too. anything else that he added musically or lyrically or vibe should also be considered. id like to think that robbie would have to agree.

seems ashame... add garth and they all could be of great help to one another in this late stage of the game.

imho as always.


rand z tropicalsoul.net

[fltpkr]

One way to show support would be to visit his website and spend a little cash. There are CDs, DVDs, ball caps, T-shirts, etc.

[Jeffscreamedcorn]

"boy... now sure would be an absolutely opportune time for levon and robbie to bury the hatchet. they both have to recognize each others contributions to the whole."

Based on the "skinny" that ain't gonna happen.

"robbie, im pretty confident, did write many of the lyrics to those great songs."

That's not how Levon sees it.

[rand z]

"robbie, im pretty confident, did write many of the lyrics to those great songs."

in "this wheels on fire" levon recounts robbie coming down to arkansas early on and getting involved in "researching" of some of the local color/history. apparently robbie is a history buff. civil war, migration of acadians to louisianna, the history of the blues.

i have most of robbies solo efforts... and his story telling and references to historic happenings, american south i.e. louisiana (cajun), mississippi, native american etc. certainly leads me to believe he wrote most of those lyrics.

the style of writing is pretty much the same.

if levon thinks that he wrote all of those lyrics... well, as much as i love levon... sorry, but

...i cant believe him.

additionally, having read the book... it seems to me that back at that period of time... levon admits to having some "other" interests.

i do like the suggestion of going to the website and helping by making some purchases. and, i will do that.

imho.

rand z tropicalsoul.net

[Home Grown Tele]

Originally Posted by fltpkr

One way to show support would be to visit his website and spend a little cash. There are CDs, DVDs, ball caps, T-shirts, etc.

+1

The DVD's are particuarly worthwhile. The quality is great and the guests are awesome! The second DVD in the series includes one of the last performances of Johnny Johnson. I believe it was taped about a month prior to his passing and is an opportunity for people to see a master keyboard player at work. The interesting part of the DVD is watching Dr. John defer the keyboard to JJ and play guitar on one of the tunes.

Great stuff and a chance to support Levon and help him out!