He was born Mark Lavon Helm on May 26, 1940, but for most of his professional career, he was known simply as Levon, the folksy yet soulful singer who also supplied the solid backbeat for the Band, the group that helped Bob Dylan ease his transition into rock 'n' roll and later defined the template for Americana rock music. When he died on April 19, 2012, he left behind a legacy that will forever loom large in the annals of roots rock and the true sounds of the heartland. His signature songs -- "The Weight," "Up on Cripple Creek," "Ophelia," and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" -- not only defined the Band but also his own signature sound, one that was honest, forthright, and flush with both humility and humanity.
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