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Levon Helm and The Band: a rock parable of fame, betrayal, and redemption
The Christian Sciance Monitor ^ | 04-20-12 | Mark Guarino

Posted on 04/20/2012 8:48:15 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA

Levon Helm of The Band found an unlikely path back to fame after decades of disappointment. But by the end, the homespun singer from Turkey Scratch, Ark., had come full circle.

In the eight years preceding his death Thursday, Levon Helm enjoyed the highest distinction that any music veteran could hope for: an audience that remembers.

Two recent Grammy awards had brought a resurgence of interest in Mr. Helm’s career as the voice and drummer of The Band, one of rock’s most enduring groups. But it was only in 2004, when he began his homespun “Midnight Ramble” concerts, that he began to reemerge into the public eye following years of health and financial problems, as well as lingering disappointment and resentment surrounding the dissolution of his former band.

Indeed, much of Helm’s story is a parable of rock ‘n’ roll – the story of a band fractured by money and fame, leaving its disillusioned members to pick of the pieces of lives that had seemed to promise something more.

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


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: helmlevon; lastwaltz; theband
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1 posted on 04/20/2012 8:48:25 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA
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To: Lazlo in PA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BAp5BxpIR8&feature=relmfu
Levon Helm - Ramble At The Ryman - “The Weight”


2 posted on 04/20/2012 8:52:55 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: Lazlo in PA
One of the greatest songs of rock and roll:

The Weight - from The Last Waltz

3 posted on 04/20/2012 8:55:38 PM PDT by Last of the Mohicans
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To: Liberty Valance

My personal favorite and what I am listening to on the 8 track in my bar tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_hsp4SBwO4


4 posted on 04/20/2012 9:00:19 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: Last of the Mohicans

bttt


5 posted on 04/20/2012 9:00:49 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: Lazlo in PA

Been in my head all day:

“Like my father before me, I’m a working man,
Like my brother before me, I took a rebel stand,
He was just 18 proud and brave,
When a Yankee laid him in his grave.....

The Night They Drove Ol’ Dixie Down”


6 posted on 04/20/2012 9:51:44 PM PDT by reagandemocrat (PGK)
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To: Liberty Valance

from Coal Miner's Daughter

7 posted on 04/20/2012 9:52:52 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: reagandemocrat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VShpcqd3zE
The Band - Night They Drove Old Dixie Down


8 posted on 04/20/2012 9:54:47 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: Lazlo in PA
I owe a certain fraternity (DU) a debt of gratitude for any appreciation I have of Levon Helm and The Band. In heavy rotation in that dank basement barroom. Perfect accompaniment to night-long drinking. How wonderful.

Thank you Levon. May God rest your soul.

Ophilia

9 posted on 04/20/2012 9:59:15 PM PDT by Oratam
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To: Liberty Valance
I loved that Bicentennial year.

I live it every day

10 posted on 04/20/2012 10:01:07 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: Lazlo in PA

THIS:

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


11 posted on 04/20/2012 10:05:23 PM PDT by reagandemocrat (PGK)
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To: Liberty Valance

Sissy Spacek in the photo.


12 posted on 04/20/2012 10:06:18 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: Liberty Valance

That!


13 posted on 04/20/2012 10:07:22 PM PDT by reagandemocrat (PGK)
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To: dennisw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrkLxJqb2xM
Sissy Spacek & Levon Helm-Honkytonkin’


14 posted on 04/20/2012 10:10:10 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: Lazlo in PA

I like how Robbie Robertson showed up on Levon’s deathbed. He knew he screwed Levon and was trying to get some kind of forgiveness, spoken or not, for ripping of Levon and other Band members on songwriting royalties. RR should have been kept away but Levon probably agreed to his visit

F Robertson


15 posted on 04/20/2012 10:10:36 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: reagandemocrat

There was only one other drummer/singer that I love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_uwG79As4A


16 posted on 04/20/2012 10:14:00 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: dennisw
Robbie is so under appreciated. Great musician and great guy.


17 posted on 04/20/2012 10:17:23 PM PDT by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: Liberty Valance

Thanks. Sissy Spacek had a strong voice there.


18 posted on 04/20/2012 10:20:11 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: Lazlo in PA

yeah RR ripped off his band mates (on song writing royalties) then went off to Hollywood w Scorcese to party and take lots of coke and kind of hole up living off his ill gotten gain. What kind of music has RR put out in the last 30 years compared to Levon and Rick Danko? YouTube tells the story

Levon has lots of stuff on you tube. At a quick glance you will see him with Rick Danko, Emmy Lou, Sissy Spacek, Johnny Cash ..... Tell me what you find from Robbie Robbertson


19 posted on 04/20/2012 10:27:32 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: Lazlo in PA

In a past life I was a horrible drummer; played R&R, and tried singing while drumming—it’s impossible.

RIP Levon.


20 posted on 04/20/2012 10:30:50 PM PDT by reagandemocrat (PGK)
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