“They say everything can be replaced” opens the Bob Dylan classic, I Shall Be Released. And while that is generally a true statement, there are always exceptions to the rule. And Levon Helm happens to be an exception to the rule.
I don’t think you could find many people that would disagree with that statement. As the news broke that Levon faced the final stages of cancer, I teared up, but they weren’t all tears of sadness. Levon was a fighter, and in 1998 when he was diagnosed with cancer, he beat all of the odds and reignited his passion for music. Levon inspired and influenced countless musicians and his contribution to music is immeasurable. He will be missed, but his spirit will live on forever.
Saturday, February 2, 2008 is a date that is permanently burned into my memory. That was the day that I saw my first and only Midnight Ramble. If you ever caught a Ramble, you know just how special they were. I remember everything about that night and what stands out the most about that evening wasn’t necessarily the music, but how welcomed I felt at his home. Don’t get me wrong, hearing Levon sing songs like Ophelia, Up On Cripple Creek and The Weight was something that I won’t soon forget, but I truly felt like I was a part of his family and I am forever grateful for the experience. I have been to countless shows and I’m not sure anything will even come close to the experience that I had on 160 Plochmann Lane in Woodstock.
Ramble on Levon, ramble on.
One Response
Mark,
I booked the Dreyer Brother to open for the Band at the Lonestar.Small world. Great that you were there! I don’t remember a thing!