ALBANY, NY. (NEWS1130) – Levon Helm, singer for the Band, has died of throat cancer at the age of 71. He was known for his soulful voice and drumming in many of The Band’s songs such as “The Weight.”
He passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends.
Helm and his band mates were musical virtuosos who mined the roots of American music in the late 1960s as other rockers veered into psychedelia, heavy metal and jams. The group’s 1968 debut, “Music From the Big Pink,” remains a landmark album of the era.
The Band bid farewell to live performances with a bang with its famous “Last Waltz” concert in 1976.
Some fans considered Richard Manuel The Band’s lead singer, but for many admirers, that honour belonged to the feisty Helm.
In this Dec. 3, 2007 file photo, musician Levon Helm appears on the new "Imus in the Morning" program at New York. Helm passed away April 19, 2012
The Band’s Levon Helm dead at 71
Was surrounded by family and friends
News1130 Staff
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