Happy Birthday Levon Helm!

Mark Lavon Helm, aka Levon Helm, best known as the drummer/singer for The Band, is celebrating his 68th birthday. So join me in wishing him a Happy Birthday!

To celebrate, let’s listen to a couple of tracks from his time with The Band that feature his perfectly down-to-earth vocals. First here’s the rollicking second cut from The Band’s eponymous second album:
The Band - Rag Mama Rag

Next is a track similar in tone to “Rag Mama Rag”, but coming from 1970’s Stage Fright. Interestingly enough, it was a performance by The F.S. Walcott Rabbits Foot Minstrels that inspired Levon to switch from guitar to drums:
The Band - The Ws Walcott Medicine Show

Here’s the upbeat highlight from 1975’s Norther Lights-Southern Cross:
The Band - Ophelia

And to cap the musical portion of our program here are a couple of clips from The Last Waltz, Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece chronicling The Band’s final concert in 1978. I think it’s the greatest concert film ever made, but Levon never liked it.

“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”

“Up on Cripple Creek”

Now that you remember how great Levon’s music is, take a gander at this clip from The Right Stuff. That’s him doing the voice over:

If you still haven’t gotten your fill of Levon check out his book, This Wheel’s on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band. Reading it is like sitting on the porch and listening to him tell you stories from the good old days.

Or, if you want to check out more of his music, give his latest CD, Dirt Farmer, a try.

Happy Birthday Levon!