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A little over a year ago, Levon Helm invited me to open two shows for him in Toronto.
Well aware of my Louisiana heritage, he enthusiastically let it be known that he and his band had worked up a version of “Crescent City” and asked if I would sing that song with them and also sit in on “Evangeline”. I’ll never forget Levon’s ear to ear grin as we played those songs.The short time I spent with him over those two nights left a deep and lasting impression on me.
I heard the sad news today and I am in tears as I write this. I lost a hero and a friend. His music inspired and influenced me during my early years and still does, to this day. And now that I’ve been honored to have spent some time with Levon, I have to say that I will always remember him with a twinkle in his eyes, a smile as warm and friendly as his native Arkansas land and an endearing and infectious spirit that will live on forever.
Thank you for your musical lessons, Levon. Rave on, brother.
– Lucinda WilliamsWhat a moving tribute Lucinda has written.
I along with stoger and paul_from_losangeles were fortunate to be in Toronto for the first memorable evening
with Lu, Levon and the Midnight Ramblers.I’m going way back to the early’60’s when I also saw Levon with Rompin’ Ronnie Hawkins band in Toronto as well.
Tom O, hope you and Lu have a great time in Austin tonight.
lwj
Thanks for sharing that post, Lucinda and Tom.
I’m fairly certain all forum participants have it already, but the Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams featuring a song each by Levon and Lucinda is by far the best compilation album I’ve ever heard.
@tonyg wrote:
LWj, Austin is next week, eh? 🙂
Oh, the Johnny Cash thing. Forgot that was in Austin. 😳
My husband received a Nook from Santa and brought this to my attention after downloading his Times subscription – the 2012 Tribute edition. They included 8 additional tributes to those featured in the hard copy, under a “More Who Mattered Section” with Lu’s tribute to Levon Helm featured as one of the eight.
The copy as follows:
The last time I saw Levon Helm was when I opened two shows for him in Toronto in 2011. He and his band backed me up on my song “Crescent City,” and I sat in on “Evangeline,” by the Band. I was struck by his youthful spirit and the camaraderie that filled the stage during those special nights. He was sweet and generous with his time. His handshake was warm and strong. His music still said, “I’m alive and I love what I do.” When he grinned his sweet Levon grin, there was still that sparkle in his eyes. Most of all, his Southern country-boy humor was as alive as ever. As we talked backstage, I reminded him that my dad’s family hailed from Arkansas, like Levon did. He smiled, took my hand and said, “Well, I won’t hold that against you.”
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