Levon Helm, drummer and one of the lead singers of the legendary group "The Band" as well as an acclaimed solo artist, died today from throat cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York at age 71.
"Thank you, fans and music lovers, who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration," said his daughter, Amy, and wife, Sandy, in a statement released Tuesday before he died. "He has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage."
At Saturday's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Robbie Robertson told the audience that "We all need to send out love and prayers to my Band mate Levon Helm."
Levon was one of the greats. A musician and a man that will certainly be missed.
