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Published On: Thu, Apr 19th, 2012

Levon Helm, drummer of The Band, passes away, losing his battle with cancer

One of the founding members of The Band passed away, Levon Helm, over the weekend. Helm was 71.

CBS reported how Robbie Robertson visited the ailing Levon Helm in the hospital, but failed to realize how sick his friend actually was.

“Last week I was shocked and so saddened to hear that my old band mate, Levon, was in the final stages of his battle with cancer,” Robertson wrote. “It hit me really hard because I thought he had beaten throat cancer and had no idea that he was this ill. I spoke with his family and made arrangements to go and see him.”

“On Sunday I went to New York and visited him in the hospital. I sat with Levon for a good while, and thought of the incredible and beautiful times we had together. It was heartwarming to be greeted by his lovely daughter Amy, whom I have known since she was born. Amy’s mother, Libby Titus, and her husband, Donald Fagen, were so kind to help walk me through this terrible time of sadness. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sandy.”

“Levon is one of the most extraordinary talented people I’ve ever known and very much like an older brother to me. I am so grateful I got to see him one last time and will miss him and love him forever.”

Helm’s family announced the new that he succumb to throat cancer, a battle he’s been waging since the late 1990s.

The was active in the late 60’s thru the 1970’s with two Gold and one Platinum album to spark their careers. The Band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

The Band at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 1976
photo/ David Gans

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