Levon Helm (1940-2012)

"...they never should have taken the very best" is right. Thank you for a lifetime of great music, Levon Helm.

Though Levon hailed from Arkansas, the other members of The Band come from Canada, including Robbie Robertson, who wrote this song. Robertson is half Mohawk, half Jewish. He did the writer's job of putting himself in another person's shoes when he created the character Virgil Caine in this song. But Levon brought it to life, especially in this performance from The Last Waltz. If you want to hear more of The Band, definitely definitely get the live album Rock of Ages, recorded December 28-31, 1971 at the Academy of Music in New York City. Love Levon's solo work as well. Too bad I missed The Midnight Ramble up in Woodstock.

In dearest sympathy,
Angus