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The Band's Levon Helm Dead of Throat Cancer

by: iradiotom - Philadelphia, PA
started: 04/19/12 2:35 pm | updated: 04/19/12 2:35 pm

Levon Helm of The Band died Thursday after losing a battle with throat 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."

At his bedside in the final days was longtime Band member, Robbie Robertson. Just last weekend, Robertson wished Levon Helm well at the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. "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 wrote 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."

Helm was a drummer who sang. According to Max Weinberg, he was "A rare breed who can set not only the beat, but the scene of a song's story as well.â€

It's Helm's flat drawl that takes listeners on the journey in The Band's "The Weight," a generational touchstone enshrined on The Big Chill soundtrack. He's also front and center on the drums, on "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."

As a member of The Band, Helm was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received the Grammys' lifetime achievement award, appeared in the legendary Martin Scorsese concert documentary, The Last Waltz, and, above all, helped embody the Woodstock generation of the 1960s.

During the 60's, the group worked as Bob Dylan's backing band, and starred on the Woodstock stage.

Classic Rock songs from The Band are featured regularly on iRadioPhilly stations Ziggy and Libra

To listen to Classic Rock now, click Ziggy

To listen to Progressive Rock now, click Libra

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