Levon Helm was a renowned American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the drummer for The Band. He was involved in music from a young age, playing in local bands and eventually joining The Band, with whom he gained national fame. His unique style of drumming combined elements of rock, jazz, blues, country and folk and earned him numerous awards over his career. Levon also released several solo albums, including Dirt Farmer, which won him a Grammy.
In this blog, Fidlarmusic will discuss Levon Helm net worth, life and career.
What is Levon Helm’s Net Worth and Salary 2023
Levon Helm was an American musician, singer-songwriter, and actor who had a net worth of $12 Million at the time of his death in 2012. He was best known as the drummer and vocalist for the rock group The Band. As a child, Levon sang gospel music in church and later taught himself to play drums and guitar.
He began performing professionally as a teenager, playing with a variety of local bands. In 1958, he joined the rockabilly group Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks and eventually became the lead singer. The group moved to Toronto and was renamed The Band in 1968, and soon after released their debut album, Music from Big Pink.
Levon Helm Overview
Early life
Levon Helm was born in Elaine, Arkansas, on May 26, 1940. As a young boy, Levon and his family would often move around the area due to his father’s work as a sharecropper. He was exposed to a variety of musical styles, including bluegrass, blues, country, and gospel.
At age 8, Levon’s father gave him a mandolin, and he began learning how to play. He was also taught how to play drums by his older brother, who played in a local band. By the time he was 13, Levon was playing in the same band as his brother.
In 1957, Levon joined Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks, a rockabilly band. With The Hawks, Levon traveled to Canada and soon moved to Toronto, where the band became popular. While with The Hawks, Levon recorded several albums and singles, and the band opened for Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley.
In 1965, Levon left The Hawks and joined Bob Dylan’s backing band, The Band. Levon continued to be a major contributor to The Band’s music, writing and co-writing many of their songs. He also sang lead vocals on some of the group’s most famous songs, such as “The Weight” and “Up on Cripple Creek”.
Levon was an influential figure in Americana music, blending elements of blues, folk, country, and rock into a unique sound. In addition to singing and playing multiple instruments, he was also a talented songwriter and producer. He continued to record and perform until his death in 2012.
Career
Levon Helm was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor who achieved fame as the drummer and lead singer for The Band. He was a member of the group from its inception in 1967 until its dissolution in 1976.
Afterward, he released several solo albums, including two Grammy Award-winning albums, Levon Helm (1980) and Electric Dirt (2009). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Band in 1994.
As a child, he began playing drums at a young age, playing along with his brother’s records on a makeshift drum kit. He was influenced by both country and blues music, particularly the style of country music that was popular in the 1940s and 1950s.
In 1967, Helm and four other musicians formed The Band. The group quickly gained recognition for their innovative sound, blending rock, country, folk, and blues styles.
They released their debut album, Music from Big Pink in 1968, which featured the hit single “The Weight”. The album became one of the most influential records of the era and helped to shape the sound of modern music.
Throughout the 1970s, The Band continued to produce critically acclaimed albums, such as Stage Fright (1970), Cahoots (1971), Moondog Matinee (1973), Northern Lights – Southern Cross (1975), and Islands (1977). In 1976, the group announced their split, and Helm embarked on a solo career.
Helm released eight studio albums as a solo artist, beginning with Levon Helm (1980). The album was well-received and earned Helm a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album.
He also released a series of live albums, including Levon Helm & The RCO All-Stars (1976), Levon Helm & The Barn Burners (1996), and Electric Dirt (2009), which earned him a second Grammy Award.
In addition to his work as a musician, Helm also appeared in several films, including Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980) and The Right Stuff (1983). He also served as the musical director for The Last Waltz (1978), a concert film featuring The Band’s final performance.
Helm died on April 19, 2012, at the age of 71, due to complications from throat cancer. He is remembered as one of the most influential and respected.
Personal life
When the Band was in the studio recording its second album in April 1969, Helm was introduced to singer-songwriter Libby Titus. They embarked on a committed partnership that would result in the birth of a child, Amy Helm (born December 3, 1970). Amy is the frontwoman of both her own band, Ollabelle, and her father’s band, which she has performed with at many performances, including the Midnight Rambles.
In 1975, while Helm was still associated with Titus, he was in California, where he first met Sandra Dodd. The wedding of Helm and Dodd took place on September 7th, 1981. They were unable to have children together.
Why is Levon Helm famous?
Levon Helm is one of the most renowned figures in American music. He was born in Arkansas and grew up in the Mississippi Delta, where he learned to play the drums and guitar at a young age.
His career began as a member of The Band, a Canadian-American rock group best known for their iconic song “The Weight.” With The Band, Levon developed a unique style of playing the drums that combined traditional country, blues, and rock and roll.
Levon is also well-known for his activism. He was an outspoken critic of segregation and poverty, and he was actively involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. He was also a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and animal rights.
FAQs about Levon Helm
Why did Helm and Robertson fall out?
As the primary songwriter credited for the song, Robertson got more money than his bandmates, and afterwards, Helm accused Robertson of unjustly taking credit for the tune, which is equivalent to accusing him of taking advantage of his buddies.
When it comes to rock-and-roll legends, the fact that Robertson was held responsible for the Band’s dissolution in 1976 is perhaps the most damning of them.
Was Levon Helm a good drummer?
The melody, jazzy snare rolls, and unmistakable time-keeping of Helm’s drumming have been singled out as particular strengths by critics on numerous occasions. When asked about Helm, critic Jon Carroll remarked that Helm was “the one drummer who can make you cry.” This may have been the greatest way to describe Helm. Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998, and as a result, he eventually lost the ability to utilize his voice.
Why wasn’t Levon Helm at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Levon Helm, 1994
Because Levon Helm still harbored resentment toward Robbie Robertson, he decided not to attend the Band’s induction ceremony. However, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, and Robbie Robertson did come up, and the three of them collaborated on a performance of “The Weight.” Since “The Last Waltz,” this will be the last performance that features Robertson alongside his former colleagues.
Conclusion
In short, Levon Helm was an artist with a passion for music, and he left behind a legacy of incredible music for fans to enjoy. His music touched so many lives, and his influence is still felt today. He will be remembered as one of the most influential musicians of our time. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to Levon Helm’s music yet, now is the time!Thank you for reading . We hope the data that appears may be useful for you.
