Levon Helm was a true musical genius a leader, a drummer who caressed musicians together with his unique style. His drums talked, they sang, they told huge stories. His voice pulled everything together into a stew of good. Most of us have been influenced by his musical presence. He will be missed.

I honor how he took his celebrity and just kept on working, crossing boundaries, supporting young and old artists with his studio and Midnight Ramble.

My little personal Levon story, in the early 1980's my group Troia/Grier opened for The Band at the celebrated Lone Star Cafe. I'll never forget it. Levon listened to our set, we hung out in the dressing room, it was magic. He had a sense of humor he filled out our mailing list card just signing it "from the band."

I heard he was gone as I was singing in Staten Island Ferry termial today when someone walked by and pointied to his phone saying "Levon Helm just passed." I had a lump in my throat, sang a bit of "The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down" RIP Levon.

image by Ahron R. Foster