Levon Helm's passion for making music began at a very young age and continued to inspire him in recent years as he valiantly battled against cancer.  Musicians of multiple generations and genres have been in awe of Levon's talent and determination.  Other drummers sang, but none had the extraordinary, unique voice, style and infectious enthusiasm Helm brought to the stage and studio every day of his performing life.  Determined not to let his disease rob him of the ability to make and share music, Helm increasingly replaced days on the road with time spent in his own studio, where he hosted open to the public Midnight Rambles.  Musicians of all stripes made the trip to the secluded studio in new York's Hudson Valley to be in the company of Helm, his guest musicians and music lovers that traveled great distances to share in the enjoyment of  great music being made in an intimate performance space.
His web site posted notice Tuesday (4/17) that he was in the final stages of cancer, asking those who loved his music to ,'send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey', and thanking fans for allowing him to have a life filled with joy and celebration, saying '...he loved nothing ore than to play, to fill the room with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance.'