The Levon Helm Band wsg James Hunter, June 30
Maybe you know his music or maybe you recognize him as an actor (he first appeared on the silver screen as Loretta Lynn’s father in Coal Miner’s Daughter). Either way, Levon Helm has been entertaining audiences for over five decades. He will be making his first appearance at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park this summer. It should be an incredible show.
Helm specializes in live, intimate shows that blend a variety of musical styles with universal stories. He is a genuine, enthusiastic and passionate performer and says that what pleases him most is that his audience is having a good time.
His father bought Levon his first guitar at nine years old and he began performing at talent shows with his sister, Linda, when he was twelve. A natural talent, at 17 he was invited by Conway Twitty to “share the stage” with Twitty and his band, The Rock Housers. By 1959, he had a recording contract as part of The Hawks, with two hits (Forty Days and Mary Lou) plus an appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. By the late 60s, the group partnered with Bob Dylan and changed their name to The Band. The Band recorded seven albums before disbanding in 1976. Helm went on to achieve success on his own with albums like The RCO All-Stars and American Son. The Band reunited in the mid-80s and put out three more albums in the 90s.
In January 2004, Levon Helm Studio premiered the live, monthly Midnight Ramble Sessions. The guest performers read like a “whose who” of blues, folk and rock legends, including one of the last performances by blues pianist, Johnnie Johnson. In addition, the studio produced Dirt Farmer, Levon’s first solo album in 25 years, which went on to win the 2008 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album, and the follow-up, Electric Dirt (2009).
For ticketing info visit the Levon Helm Band event page.