Levon Helm

Despite a sound that often seems to emanate from the muddy waters of the American South, The Band's ranks included only one American – Levon. When you have a spirit and voice like Levon, however, you don’t need much else. Born to Arkansan cotton farmers, he grew up in a town that could only be called - literally - Chicken Scratch, listening to the Grand Ole Opry and King Biscuit Time programs on a tinny old radio. Fiercely independent, Levon played and sang with an almost religious fervor, bringing songs to life in a way no one else could. His unforgettable lead vocals, harmonizing, and drumming gave The Band something you can’t manufacture: authenticity. Upon The Band’s demise, Levon’s legendary voice and drumming led not only to an acclaimed solo career, but his mastery of turning and delivering a phrase, coupled with the unmistakable glint in his eye, led him to a second career - as an actor, appearing in films such as Coal Miner's Daughter and The Right Stuff.