R.I.P Levon Helm

This last week we lost two icons of the music world; Dick Clark and Levon Helm. Clark was predictably establishment, but will likely be remembered for integrating the racially-charged 1960's music scene in a way your Grandma could watch it. But Levon Helm, lead singer for "The Band" was a greater societal figure in my mind. Originally from Arkansas and raised on rock-a-billy jams, Helm piloted Bob Dylan's back-up group into their own fame. At a time when psychedelic music was the order of the day, "The Band" reverted to folk-rock roots with a string of hits including "The Weight" viewed above. Helm had been battling throat cancer. Here's another fantastic video if you have never seen it; "Festival Express", where The Band, Janice Joplin, The Greatful Dead and many others chartered a train across Canada in a drunken concert spree: Fantastic... R.I.P. Levon Helm