The Final Days of Levon Helm

[OldCannon]

Sad to see that Levon Helm will be leaving us soon, after a long struggle trying to beat his cancer.

If you're asking, "Who is Levon Helm, and what is his connection to shooting? And why do so many people care about him?" then watch this video below featuring him in a scene from "Shooter"

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jie9bYCyZDI[/youtube]

You might also remember him as the old, blind man in "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" (a great movie).

[Charles L. Cotton]

That's a great video and message. I love the part about him being 70 years old and his best work has been done in the last 10 years.
At some point we truly get too old, but it doesn't have to come as early as many believe. I can't do anything about my chronological age, but I'll never let myself be an "old man."

Thanks for posting this OldCannon!
Chas.

[MoJo]

While not being a big movie fan, I am a fan of American folk music I am surprised that I had never heard of Levon Helm. Thanks OC.

[fickman]

While not being a big movie fan, I am a fan of American folk music I am surprised that I had never heard of Levon Helm. Thanks OC.

He was a legend. . . from The Band, backing up Bob Dylan, to his solo work:
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=cBuJB218UvU[/youtube]

[OldCannon]

Oh, just saw that he died now. :(

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/obi ... 54416386/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[WildBill]

The Band was a great and under-rated band. RIP Levon Helm.

[puma guy]

Thanks OC. Sad to see him gone. I visited some used record shops today and saw a book and set of The Band CD's but it was 60 dollars; more than I could afford to pay. Wish I'd had the bucks. I did find a greatest hits cd, though.

[stroguy]

He was also Sam Shepards (Charles Yeager) right hand man and the man with the gum in The Right Stuff.

Hey Ridley, you got an Beemans
....fair enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRSbYXutreE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I watched Shooter I knew that voice from somewhere in the past.

Unique individual, sad to see him go.

[WildBill]

He was also Sam Shepards (Charles Yeager) right hand man and the man with the gum in The Right Stuff.

Hey Ridley, you got an Beemans
....fair enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRSbYXutreE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I watched Shooter I knew that voice from somewhere in the past.

Unique individual, sad to see him go.

Thanks for the post. I have seen The Right Stuff a dozen times and never noticed!

[OldCannon]

He was also Sam Shepards (Charles Yeager) right hand man and the man with the gum in The Right Stuff.

Hey Ridley, you got an Beemans
....fair enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRSbYXutreE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I watched Shooter I knew that voice from somewhere in the past.

Unique individual, sad to see him go.

Thanks for the post. I have seen The Right Stuff a dozen times and never noticed!

He was also in Coal Miner's Daughter. The world is a smaller place without him. Godspeed, Levon.

[OldCannon]

Interesting trivia fact: Elton John's song, "Levon" was named for Levon Helm, although the song itself is not about him. Elton and his lyricist, Bernie Taupin, were big fans of The Band.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=N9eCVXKr4t4[/youtube]

[Dragonfighter]

The Band was a great and under-rated band. RIP Levon Helm.

And the great Jack Ridley in "The Right Stuff". Sad.

Added in Edit: The exchange, "Hey Ridley, got any Beeman's?"..."Ya, I might have me a stick."..."Well loan me some, will ya? I'll pay you back later."...Fair enough."
is something Yeager and other test pilots did in reality. The superstition is you couldn't die owing anybody anything, so they'd borrow a stick of gum or such before a test flight.

Here ya go. WARNING - Fan Dance
http://youtu.be/7g7aXPHVVtc

Levon narrated the film too.

[carlson1]

That's a great video and message. I love the part about him being 70 years old and his best work has been done in the last 10 years.
At some point we truly get too old, but it doesn't have to come as early as many believe. I can't do anything about my chronological age, but I'll never let myself be an "old man."

Thanks for posting this OldCannon!
Chas.

I read a study when I was in Seminary that most people accomplish the most after the age 65. I wished I could remember the study or where to find it.

It is true one day we will die, but your life work can continue. Mr. Cotton no doubt we will benefit for a long time with the work you have accomplished for our 2nd Admendment rights and Texas CHL.

[Lambda Force]

R.I.P. Levon

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=P_95DOmt9Bc[/youtube]