The music world lost a legend today. Levon Helm, whose biggest claim to fame was his role as drummer and, frequently, lead vocalist in country-rock/Americana pioneers The Band, passed away today at the age of 71. It had been revealed earlier this week, through a message posted on his website by his wife and daughter, that Helm was in the final stages of a battle with cancer, and it claimed him today. A release from his record label stated simply that "Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon. He was surrounded by family, friends and band mates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul."
There's no way I could adequately describe the impact this man had on the world of music as we know it today, so I won't even try. Here's The Band, accompanied by the Staples Singers, performing their classic anthem "The Weight," from the film The Last Waltz.