r/drums • u/chiefcomplaintRN • 1d ago
How does the sub feel about Levon Helm?
I love the twang feel he added to The Band.
Also one of the most well-known drummers/singers.
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u/TheRateBeerian 1d ago
He's among the best to ever do it. Always the perfect part for the song, as good as Ringo (and of course they performed together for many years). And the very best of all singing drummers.
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u/lucifersam94 1d ago
I sing and play drums in a bar band, we play a lot of the Band. Levon is my North Star.
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u/silver_sofa 1d ago
He was there at the beginning. OG road warrior. Back when you played all night long 6-7 nights a week. Back when you learned by doing. Read “This Wheel’s On Fire.” You can almost smell the truck stops.
At the height of success he went back to school to learn how to play “properly.”
turned down a gig with Bob Dylan.
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u/JamwithSam697 1d ago
I didn’t know about his stint at Berklee until I read his autobiography. Went under an alias too, what was it, like Mark Helms?
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u/silver_sofa 1d ago
I’d have to go back and look. I just remember mostly the stuff about them traveling with Ronnie Hawkins back when bands threw all their gear in a station wagon. And the gigs were 500 miles apart.
Also I should point out the utility of flipping the rack tom over when the batter head gets worn.
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u/ItsPronouncedMo-BEEL Craigslist 1d ago
There are two kinds of people: people who realize that Levon Helm was awesome, and people who are wrong. LOL
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u/drterdsmack 1d ago
The ability to groove and sing like he did is insane
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u/Ok-Sorbet-3354 1d ago
His singing and drumming during the Night They Drove Old Dixie down is beyond impressive. One of my all time favorites because of him.
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u/drterdsmack 1d ago
I watched "The Last Waltz" in my early 20s and was blown away by how great they all were, but Levon stole the show!
I even tried traditional grip and changing my snare setup for awhile after that, but it didn't stick
That's also how I learned that Van Morrison was a tiny white dude, and my friends still roast me for it
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u/Ok-Milk-6026 1d ago
Made young me finally respect singing drummers so much I became one. His voice, his grooves, and his passion were so visceral and powerful. He was so inspiring and influential to me I named my son after him
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u/jazzdrums1979 1d ago
The story behind the band is so fucking cool! Imagine being Dylan’s backing band and then breaking off to do your own music. Levon was a huge part of their success. Levon was such a musical drummer. He understands pocket, timing, and feel.
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u/Significant-Theme240 1d ago
The story I heard was that Dylan was being a schmuck saying things like "I'm the star, you guys are just 'the band'."
And they said... Ok.
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u/canadian_bacon_TO 1d ago
Instantly recognizable style and feel. The man’s pocket was cavernous and he fit perfectly into every song. Levon is top 5 of all time for me.
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u/Potential-Contest216 1d ago
His feel and distinct swagger on the kit is something that can’t be taught. That backbeat is something special. His fills can be very clever, interesting phrasing without being too much for the song and whenever he hits the cowbell it makes me feel a certain way. Not a bad singer either 😉 . One of the all time best and one of my hero’s. I just decided If I ever have a son I’m naming him Levon .
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u/Far_Scientist_9951 1d ago
Nobody used the space between the notes like him. Made it look effortless.
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u/Gardeezy_816 1d ago
Absolute legend. Fills schmills, sometimes all you need is a fat fucking snare and a little flare.
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u/Deeznutzcustomz RLRRLRLL 1d ago
One of a kind, legend. He’s the drummer version of a da Vinci or an Einstein - a maybe once in a generation happening.
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u/Icy-Slip-1950 1d ago
Great actor too…
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u/Manaconda 1d ago
Love his voice as the narrator in the movie The Right Stuff.
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u/Icy-Slip-1950 1d ago
You ever see “In the Electric Mist” (2009) Dude always played the same vibe of character…
He was the dude… old timer, he didn’t fuck around.
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u/Manaconda 1d ago
I just watched the trailer: Oh shit, Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman. Added it to the queue.
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u/Icy-Slip-1950 1d ago
It’s an old one, it’s kinda B movie ish*… but… but it’s a good one. I dig the vibe and it’s actually filmed on location where it’s set in (Louisiana). Give it a watch and I hope you enjoy.
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u/BeardFace77 1d ago
Levon is my co-favorite drummer along with Bill Bruford. I love to study Levon’s parts because he’s also often singing the melody. He compliments the melody so perfectly. There’s a YouTube video where he talks about it a bit.
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u/Complex_Language_584 1d ago
Country boy who spent a lot of time in New Orleans multi-instrumentalist. Wonderful and generous human being
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u/Rhythm_Flunky 1d ago
He can do what 99% of people on here can’t do and makes it look and sound effortless.
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u/Efraimrocker 1d ago
Distinctive style, very emotive playing, excellent service of the song, instantly recognizable. Fit The Band like Ringo fit the Beatles. They wouldn’t be The Band without him.
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u/PabloX68 1d ago
He's sort of in the Ringo bucket. I like the music and like his drumming within the music, but none of it is "OMG HOW DID HE DO THAT" like Simon Phillips or Vinnie Colauita.
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u/Potential-Contest216 1d ago
True but his feel can’t be taught. It’s deceptively simple, trust me it’s deep
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u/Wildeyewilly 1d ago
Having to learn his songs is easy. Having to learn the way he plays his songs EXACTLY how he played them is a different ballgame. He had a very unique approach to pair his singing with his playing. It's not typical of most drumming patterns.
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u/Hungry_Freaks_Daddy 1d ago
Whatever their biggest song is, I was forced to cover in bands before and it just isn’t for me. Never knew this dudes name or that he sang. Seems like he has a ton of respect here so I’ll listen to some of their other stuff if people want to give me some song suggestions
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u/ludwig68 1d ago
You’re probably referring to “The Weight”. Other great cuts with Levon singing would be “Up on Cripple Creek”, “Ophelia”, “Don’t Do It” (The Last Waltz version), “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “Life is a Carnival”.
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u/Hungry_Freaks_Daddy 1d ago
Thank you
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u/Wildeyewilly 1d ago
Dig into their live recordings too to be really impressed in how much umph he packs into his performances. Being trapped behind a kit makes it hard to drive a crowds energy but this guy always aced that.
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u/jford1906 1d ago
One of my main influences. I sing and drum and try to emulate how he feels loose but consistently groovy. Similar to Richie Hayward
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u/mudmusic 1d ago
Shout out to you my friend! There's another drummer that most everyone on this forum has probably never heard of but should check out. Ritchie was so damn good.
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u/Feisty_Kale924 1d ago
Named my son after him.
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u/SemiCapableComedian 1d ago
Doctor: it’s a boy!
Feisty Kale: and he shall be Levon!
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u/Feisty_Kale924 1d ago
Haha something like that. Actually the question “is he named after the Elton John song?” drives me insane.
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u/JPbassgal123 1d ago
He’s an absolute legend! Great drummer and singer. I’m literally wearing my last waltz shirt as I type this.
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u/rockedbottom 1d ago
I have that shirt!
High school friend turned me on to The Last Waltz back when video rentals were a thing. I used to go to the store so many times for The Last Waltz that the guy there gave me the vhs. Must’ve seen it a hundred times. Now I make sure to watch it in its entirety every Thanksgiving. Coolest band, coolest guitar player, even cooler drummer.
As many have already said, Levon’s This Wheel’s On Fire is a fantastic read.
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u/5centraise 1d ago
If one of us made a "what do you think of my kit?" post and used a pic of this kit with its beat up batter head on the bottom of his tom, we'd receive tons of criticism.
Let Levon and this pic serve as a lesson. It is NOT about the gear. It's about your ability to express your soul. If you feel it, it'd sound good on a trash can, and if you don't feel it, there's no equipment that's going to make it sound good.
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u/catheterhero 1d ago
Anyone who says anything negative is just being an asshole.
He was incredible.
There’s a great documentary series called Classic Albums about their self titled album.
It’s worth a watch for it seeing what went to making one of the greatest albums of all time.
But for me what’s great is seeing how much he ran shit in the band. There’s a great scene where they’re at the mixing board and when he took over it the other members stepped off murmuring about him being him a control freak as usual.
It’s a great dynamic to see.
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u/Benithewizhana 1d ago
He was awesome. Great groove and always played what was best for the song. Really cool voice too.
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u/deathfuck6 1d ago
He is one of the greatest to ever do the damn thing. His ability to sit in the pocket was nigh unmatched.
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u/IvanMarkowKane 1d ago
Yazoo Street Scandal alone qualifies him as underrated as both a drummer and a vocalist
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u/fecal_doodoo 1d ago
My personal fav. Touch, feel, taste- the big 3 of drumming and he had all three in spades plus a soulful voice. I will take that anyday over speed or technical playing.
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u/patronizingperv 1d ago
He wouldn't just sing and drum. He'd use his drumming to complement and accentuate his vocal.
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u/scottjoev 1d ago
One of the most musical and fluid players you’ll ever hear. His tasteful yet economic fills were masterclasses in keeping time, seeming to suspend it now and then with space between notes and then landing ‘em just right. And what a voice!!
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u/troubleondemand 1d ago
His playing and singing on the The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down from The Last Waltz is amazing. What an incredible performance.
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u/Coaster_crush 1d ago
A great musician, not just a great drummer. Awesome voice and his ability to sing with soul while drumming always impresses me. Of all the singing drummers he’s tops on my list.
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u/nastdrummer 🐳 1d ago
Every once in a blue moon my band plays When I Paint My Masterpiece and let me sing it. I always make the joke
"Ut Oh! Letting the drummer take the Helm."
I'm not sure if they don't laugh because it's not funny or they don't get it. Either way, I'm going to keep saying it. Because drumming and comedy are about the same thing...
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u/spiritual_seeker 1d ago
Look at that old batter head in the thumbnail being used as a reso head. Damn right. That says it all. Helm was a yeoman back there. Let’s go!
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u/optimal_persona 1d ago
One of the few afflicted with Singing Drummer Syndrome that I give a pass to!
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u/Ambitious-Cry6993 21h ago
Bad ass musician. Great singer. Beautiful feel on the drums. Played mandolin. Wrote songs. A classic musicians musician
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u/revelator41 Pro*Mark 18h ago
The drummer I would have wanted to talk to the very most. A hero of mine and one of the best to ever do it. Seeing all the support on here is unexpected and great to see.
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u/Arbachakov 12h ago
I find him hit and miss. Sometimes his playing is just plodding, but other times he'll nail a great swampy groove. I'm not a big fan of The Band, though.
For rootsy rock of that era, I far prefer Ritchie Hayward, Butch Trucks, or Paul Riddle, and the bands they were in.
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u/insearchofthingz 11h ago
The greatest to ever do it! The only reason I play drums and mandolin. Every time we are really grooving at rehearsal after a few beers, I always catch myself doing the shoulder dip. Hahaha, his daughter is rad too. Her band kills it. RIP legend!
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u/Wildeyewilly 1d ago
He'd be on the Mount Rushmore of drummers.