Sadly it's another end of an era, as Levon Helm passed away last night. The incredible multi-instrumentalist and head honcho of the hugely influential The Band was performing and recording regularly from his home in Woodstock, NY right up to his last days.

From Bob Dylan: He was my bosom buddy friend to the end, one of the last true great spirits of my or any other generation. This is just so sad to talk about. I still can remember the first day I met him and the last day I saw him. We go back pretty far and had been through some trials together. I'm going to miss him, as I'm sure a whole lot of others will too.

To find out more about him, see his Allmusic page here.

Check out this video from the famous concert: The Last Waltz, and get it out from the library if you haven't seen it! The friends that they gather together on stage is an amazing testament to the character of Levon and The Band.

And see him here in his later years at the Ryman in Nashville with John Hiatt:

I'd always known that classic American sound of The Band from growing up with Dad playing songs like The Weight, or Dylan's Basement tapes. But I really fell in love with them after watching The Last Waltz.

Levon Helm was one of the key figures in The Band, and one of its survivors. He's released a couple of beautiful country albums in the last few years, Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt. Not only that but he featured as a blind old cowboy in the film The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada. And back home in Woodstock, NY state, he regularly performs shows in his barn.

Ain't in It for My Health, on at this year's International Film Festival, is a captivating documentary on this legendary musician. Don't miss it on the big screen.

Related Resources in Auckland Libraries: