Goodbye Levon...

I was driving late last week and listening to a live boot-legged version of Elton John performing Levon.  What a song!  When I got back to work, I found out the sad news that Levon Helm, the man who inspired the name used in that song, had finally lost his long battle with lung cancer.  The world has  lost another musical giant.

Levon Helm was an incredible drummer, vocalist, actor ("Coal Miner's Daughter) and human.  His style has shaped every good drummer that I hear working today (Jim Keltner and Nigel Olsson, for example).  His style of music lives on in the likes of Ray Lamontangne ( and a handful of others that give hope to the ailing music world) and of course in our old recordings of his classic work.     We've lost another musical giant.  We should really appreciate the ones that we have left!

Take a moment and enjoy Mr. Levon Helm with his group, THE BAND, and other friends.

Not surprising, one of Levon's biggest fan, lyricist Bernie Taupin, was quick to eulogize him via a blog post.  It's a well written and heart felt tribute.
Check it out:  http://www.berniejtaupin.com/index.php?page=blog&b_id=459670