Monday, September 10, 2012

Garth Hudson remembers his last Midnight Ramble w/ Levon Helm.

Thanks to Adam Betley for updating his Garth Hudson article w/ Garth's memories from his last Ramble w/ Levon Helm:


"I recall my last Ramble with Levon. I accepted an invitation to guest with Jimmy Vivino who had put together a nice tribut...e to the voices Rick and Richard. My wife said she believes he hears them singing in his head and heart. Jimmy is very good on piano and vocals. He, Byron Isaacs, and Tony Leone were doing unusual Band songs that they don't do with the rest of the group. I played Jimmy's set before Levon and his band came on for one of his last Rambles (January 21). That's where I last saw Levon in action and he looked fine. I remember Howard Johnson coming up to him in the back room, in the kitchen. Howard said 'You were strong tonight'. And then Levon said 'Ohhhh thank you!' I sat at the round oak table for the last time and listened to one of the greatest story tellers I have heard.

I hope Levon's barn will survive for the legacies. It will take well-known artists to continue performing at the barn in the spirit of Levon to actually save the barn and turn it into a national music treasure. It is a fantastic cathedral-ceilinged, wood-pegged recording studio big enough for an orchestra.

I miss Richard, Rick, and Levon. They walk these hills."

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