Comments on: Who’s Gunna Take the Weight?

By: briang

briang — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:21:52 +0000

been keeping up with this all morning……bummed. i knew he has been sick for awhile…….just watch and listen to this guy play and sing…he’s just incredible!……he’ll go on forever when he passes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Y987Uf1wY

By: Matt Blankman

Matt Blankman — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:50:57 +0000

I think people respond to authenticity, and Levon oozes that. There’s no bullshit – he’s just a great musician who loves making music.

By: Matt Blankman

Matt Blankman — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:49:52 +0000

[12] That’s the really nice thing about this all – that people are getting a chance to say thanks and express their love and admiration while he’s still here. I just hope he’s not in a lot of pain.

By: rbj

rbj — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:34:54 +0000

Very sad news. Will have to rewatch The Last Waltz Saturday night, and raise a glass. One (of the many) things I’ve always admired about The Band was that they didn’t always do the cheap love songs, but actually put out music that had heft to it.

By: Sliced Bread

Sliced Bread — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:18:54 +0000

12) oh shit, what a dummy I am.
Be well, Levon! and thanks for all the tunes!

By: Alex Belth

Alex Belth — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:10:22 +0000

10) He hasn’t passed away yet. And fortunately, he is receiving all the love sent his way (we should all be so lucky when our time comes):

http://cbsn.ws/IZa4nc

By: Matt Blankman

Matt Blankman — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:10:11 +0000

[10] Oh yeah, that Atlantic City was one of the pinnacles of the post-Robbie Band.

By: Sliced Bread

Sliced Bread — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:04:19 +0000

Damn. I loved this guy’s music.
Here’s one of my favorite post-Band (er Band) things he did.
Owning Springsteen’s “Atlantic City”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdSkXMnYH9I

Rest in Peace, Levon

By: Matt Blankman

Matt Blankman — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:02:43 +0000

[4] I praised it on Twitter yesterday and got a tweet of thanks from Treat Williams! Pretty wild. I haven’t seen it in a long time, but I recall loving the performances.

By: NoamSane

NoamSane — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:01:20 +0000

[5] Levon’s book is a must read for anyone who likes The Band, IMO. If Charlie Pierce says its well written, nuff said, right?

By: Alex Belth

Alex Belth — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:00:40 +0000

I’ll put that book on my list, man.

By: NoamSane

NoamSane — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:59:20 +0000

[3] He has a pretty brilliant little bit in “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”.

By: Matt Blankman

Matt Blankman — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:57:09 +0000

I still have never read Levon’s book, which I’ve heard is great. He got Dylan to blurb it (which is impressive in itself) and Bob called Levon “One of the true heroes of my generation.”

By: Alex Belth

Alex Belth — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:55:03 +0000

4) I need to revisit “Smooth Talk.” I remember it being an indie hit when it came out and I saw it on VHS when it was first released on tape. Laura Dern, loved her nervous beauty.

By: Matt Blankman

Matt Blankman — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:49:36 +0000

Yeah, this one cuts deep. It’s worth noting that Levon was a fine film actor too- Coal Miner’s Daughter, The Right Stuff, Smooth Talk & many more.

By: NoamSane

NoamSane — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:45:27 +0000

Wow, this is terrible. I thought he was winning the battle with cancer. I haven’t been this upset to lose someone I’ve never met in many years. Very moving tribute by Charlie Pierce.

By: BobbyB

BobbyB — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:35:53 +0000

I totally agree with you Alex. I knew things were getting bad when they started cancelling the Midnight Rambles but this is very bad news. Prayers for Levon, his wife Sandy and his daughter Amy. It’s been a pleasure to listen to the man all these years and I will miss him.