Levon Helm: ten years later

Levon Helm died ten years ago, today. He was 71 years old. 

I dont want to sit here and mope about how he would be 81 years old if he were still here, or that he left us too soon. I'd rather just take a moment to appreciate one talented man on a sad day. 

Born in Elaine Arkansas on May 26, 1940, Lavon "Levon" Helm grew up in rural Arkansas in a musical family. He picked up multiple intruments and then while still in high school was offered a spot in Ronnie Hawkin's band The Hawks. Levon would go on to meet fellow musicians Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson. They became Levon and the Hawks, or just the Hawks. 

Meanwhile Bob Dylan was interested in playing more electric music and asked the Hawks to become his backing band. Helm, Danko, Robertson, Manuel, and Hudson would end up breaking out from behind Dylan and become The Band. 

To make a very long story short the Band would end up become one of rock and roll's greatest bands. 

Levon is well loved, well missed, and well remembered.