Levon Helm is the last remaining member of The Band. He’s also a great vocalist and an even richer drummer, affecting audiences during his time in The Band, but also later as a solo artist. The last album Helm put out was the Grammy award-winning Dirt Farmer in 2007. Unfortunately, any hopes another album could potentially be on its way are now impossible.
Today, Helm’s wife and his daughter, Amy, took to the musician’s personal website to explain that Helm, who has battled cancer in the past, is now in the final stages of terminal cancer. The message was brief and heartfelt, touching on the things Helm loved and cared for most in his life.
“Dear Friends, Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey. Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration... he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage...”
The 71 year-old has throat cancer, which was initially diagnosed in the nineties and caused him vocal problems for a number of years. According to Billboard, eventually the cancer settled out and Helm was able to sing again, although his voice took on a rasp that was not present prior.
Ultimately, the news that Helm is extremely ill does not come as a true surprise, but it is an extremely sad day for fans of Rock and Roll and its legacy. It’s not too late to sit down with some tribute whiskey and throw on The Last Waltz.
