Drum Teacher Reacts to Levon Helm - The Band - King Harvest (Has Surely Come) Episode 10 

I just want to honor you for such a great tribute to Levon, my husband of forty years! You gave him the most honorable and truthful tribute I have ever read! Thank you for loving Levon, teaching young drummers the unique talent that he was born with, and he was such a gentle and honorable human being! I was/am a lucky girl! We are starting to do shows again after a year of no shows! Our last show was March 7th, 2020, Tanya Tucker was here with a 9 price Nashville band and her pit bull, and they were fantastic! She continues to have those great pipes! Thanks again for loving Levon and spreading his greatness! With a whole lot of live, Sandy Helm, Woodstock NY. Come to The Barn and be my guest ASAP!

You describing levon made me smile

I got to meet Levon at the stage door of the Olympia theatre in Dublin where they played two shows in the 90’s. On the second night I made sure I had his book This Wheels On Fire’ for him to sign and when I saw him come out on his own after the show I literally had stagefright and all the things I wanted to say went out the window and all I could muster as I handed him the book was something about Bill Clinton who was working on the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland knowing he was from Arkansas. What I really wanted to say was how much I loved him his voice and his really exceptional drumming. I couldn’t even tell him I was also a drummer as I felt so overwhelmed. I’m 70yrs old now and I still play my most favourite album The Band and I still marvel at his musical talent. great to see another tribute to him. RIP Levon🇮🇪

I was fortunate to know Levon. Spent many hours in a cotton field in the Arkansas Delta sampling homegrown herds and listening to music. Levon had a WIDE taste in music and knew great music of all kinds. We listened to everything from Elvis, Cash and Merle to AC/DC, the Black Crows, Stones, Seger and Yes...One of my favorite memories was when Levon told me.... You’ve got great taste in music

I'm a simple guy. Someone says Levon is their favorite drummer, I subscribe.

Levon always had good things to say about Richard Manuel's drumming- I'm sure you know it's Richard drumming on Rag Mama Rag. Thanks for the kind words on the great man.

Wow my heart bursted with joy when you said Levon is your everything!!! The Band and Levon are such a huge part of my life. The drum line in Daniel and the Sacred Harp still just tickles me. Thank you for giving the band some love, subscribed!

Levon. Best pocket drummer ever.

Greatest band of all time! Thanks for giving Love to Levon!

Levon Helm is my favorite vocalist aside from his drumming which is legendary, his voice moves me to tears.

Looks like I've found someone who loves Levon Helm as much as I do ! I have a levon bedding set and watch him daily !!

Wow! I'm with you, brother. Which is why I named my kid Levon, after reading Elton's history with the Band, and This Wheel's on Fire. And then to read the comment from Sandy Helm was so touching. Thank you!

Great video. I have to say I agree with everything you said here. As a drummer who grew up in and still live in Fayetteville, AR Levon and The Band have always been ever present. I've been lucky enough to be on stage with Earl Kate and Terry Cagle. Anyway, thanks for the video man. Levon for life.

Would you ever think about doing an episode on how Richard Manuel drumming was different and Levon’s?

Richard Manuel is also an awesome drummer!

Really appreciate this, Levon Helm is the greatest drummer in the world, and definitely the greatest drummer who is on the vocals too. My dad sat me down and made watch the last waltz when I was 18 and my life changed forever. Like you said the only drummer who can make you cry, and I did not understand why I was crying... it was just powerful. And he didn’t even want to do the movie to begin with but he was the heart and soul of it anyway. Now 6 later I’ve seen it about 100 more times and it never gets old. No one sings with the passion he does in the Last Waltz version the The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down... He had me convinced he was actually in the Civil War. And I agree, Rock of Ages is my favorite. The song I don’t Want to Hang Up My Rocking Roll shoes was playing at my dad’s funeral as everyone walked into the church which was the only part I enjoyed. He really is not talked about and recognized enough. At least the music world appreciates the profound effect he had on music since the 50’s and he sure did influence a lot other amazing musicians. Live on Levon, Richard & Rick ❤️

Instantly became a follower...great video..lots of sad stories .. For sure..but so Glad to see The Band get some love..Levon was awesome and you did a great job teaching and exposure..love the channel..thanks!!!

I love listening to musicians that understand their role in the band. Levon is that in spades. He knows exactly what is necessary to make everyone else sound good in the context of the song. It’s the way his brain interacts with the information from his ears. That’s kind of a klunky way to say it but I don’t know how else to put it. He just knows what the right thing at the right time is supposed to sound like. And he understands where the drums fit in sonically.

I got some drumsticks from him. He played in Pittsburgh with the Barn Burners and my mom was a fan of The Band. I was 12 or 13 and we went to that concert. We got to meet him and he gave me the drumsticks that he used that night. I was definitely too young to be at that concert because it was at a bar.

Cheers from a canuck! Honestly the Band and it's members are so underrated in general! Just visited Stratford and the museum there, saw the exhibit on Richard Manuel and saw his star too, and hardly anybody knew who he was! They're all some of my favourite musicians.

I feel what your saying. Every time he is on the screen you get the sense of witnessing something special. Not to many artists have the same aura that Levon had. Fantastic review mate...Well done..Cheers from OZ :)

Thank you so much for this reaction. Loved watching and hearing your take on this fabulous band!

Aaagh! You have no idea how much I love this video. I try to say these things to “music lovers” about The Band, and they just look at me like I’m crazy. And yes the love for Richard ❤️❤️❤️

Levons is the king and honored to see and meeting him multiple times . On another note , listen to Richards aching voice . OMG !

At the time I first listened to this song I didn’t know what ghost notes were but Levon’s ghost notes were amazing enough for even me to be like woaaah what the heck is he doing that’s awesome! Levon is an awesome drummer, fun to see someone else get excited about it!

A friend of mine linked me to your channel via your Lateralus video and I decided to check out a little more. I clicked subscribe as soon as you said "Levon Helm is my favorite drummer." As a fellow drummer, I've always been frustrated by how absent he is from the conversation of all time great drummers (in my experience, at least.) I really believe you can gauge a drummer's musicality by their opinion of Levon. His playing is never flashy, but his sense of groove and his time feel are so impeccable . An understated and underrated genius on the kit.

I had the privilege of meeting Levon when he played in Annapolis, Md. during his recovery from throat cancer. He signed an album for me in the green room. He was such a cool guy!!!

Yes, Levon is also my favourite drummer, and The Band my favourite group of all time. I was first introduced to The Band by my grade 8 music teacher, in 1969 (Up on Cripple Creek).I also try to play like Levon, with the traditional stick position, the buzz roll left hand, and the light dancing ride patterns, plus singing.Levon Helm was my greatest influence as a drummer and singer.

Levon Helm is the heart & soul of The Band ! ( R.I.P Levon ) & Robbie was the rear-end I was like you man once I watched The Last Waltz I was hooked on The Band & Levon ! Since then I've watched or listened to that concert 100's of times ! Levon's voice & drum playing will live on forever ✌😎 Love his style & tempo,plus he looks so relaxed back there.... Just in the groove/pocket n loving it 😉

4:56 I totally realized that too the other day when I sat down at my kit to play along with this album. I was really surprised at how few "hits" Levon plays. It's like he'd rather punctuate a fill with a good kick or floor tom hit than a symbol. I've always called him a gutsy drummer; his playing comes not from his head, but from his gut. Also, I'm so glad to hear you point out Levon and Rick's playing together, especially on this song. Rick was the perfect bass player for Levon, and Levon the perfect drummer for Rick. Neither of them EVER overplayed. "Up On Cripple Creek" is another great example of this. They lay such a solid foundation for all of the songs. And nary a click track to be found! :D

I love this…Look at my name, you’ll know I must!! The minute Steve said it’s hard to look at Robbie Robertson and not get pissed off, I hit Subscribe!!

thanks. love your enthusiasm for this guy. my heart's in this music.

You mentioned that Levon understood that cymbals eat up the frequencies of other instruments, especially vocals. For exactly that reason, Levon tuned his drums much lower than 'regular'. His lone tenor tom was tuned closer to a floor tub, and his floor tub was tuned close to the bass tub, which was stuffed full of pillows. He choked his drum heads with electrical tape, and sometimes pieces of leather. He deadened his crash and ride cymbals with electrical tape, and rode the "sock cymbal" (high hat) easy. He was very conscious of musical space, and that vocals, guitar, and piano tend to occupy the same space, so he came in below that. "The way that him and Rick Danko played together, kinda went up and down over these hills of time... that's groove." That's the famous The Band "King Harvest" groove, with Rick Danko leaving the backbeats open, and you get this buh-bump-Pop, buh-bump-Pop thing going with the bass going buh-bump and the snare on the back beat with no bass. They actually did this a lot, especially with the half-time beats that Levon used so much.

Got to know Levon pretty well in his latter days and spent some time with him in Muscle Shoals. He was a special man and if you were with him 15 minutes you felt like you knew him all your life. You should read Robbie's book "Testimony" as well cause I could see both sides as much as I did love Lee.

Levon is the best ever!

I'll never forget my dad showing me The Last Waltz...man I watched it over and over. After i moved out I still had the DVD and I would drink till I had more than my share then pop in Last Waltz and listen over and over again. There was something so damn magical about them and their music. It hits some nerve or feeling deep that makes me smile on the darkest days. I'll be showing my kids The Last Waltz someday and hope it shapes them like it did me. If there is a heaven, when its time and all The Band members have passed, I have no doubt they will be rockin the clouds and Levon will always get the biggest standing ovation that he deserves. Never in his head will he think about those stadium filled boos and groans from their early Dylan days. RIP Levon.

I agree with what you said about him having a New Orleans finesse! One of the things I appreciate about Levon the most. My *other* favorite musician, Allen Toussaint, worked extensively with The Band; he provided the horn arrangement for Rock of Ages!! So much brilliance, inside and out.

Thank you for having explained so well why I love the one an only Levon Helm.

Greatest Band of all time! 4/5 Canadian! You can be pissed off at Robbie but he wrote 95% of it....

Levon is also my favorite drummer!!!!!!!

Just came across your channel always been a big fan of levon helms he's got the finesse in the field where it's all about the music I will be watching your channel in the future I see that this was a three year old video keep on putting them out I really enjoyed it thank you by the way I'm 62 well just turned 63 and November and fighting horrendous diabetes but still trying to play play for 14 years professionally went on the road for 25 years doing sound and lots and video but now I'm retired always looking for enjoyment and learning new things have a great day and I'm from Cleveland Tennessee right outside of Chattanooga

I don't know what was more entertaining. The video of the Band or your excitement from watching it! New subscriber here.

I got to see Levon Helm not long before he left the planet. I took my Mom to the show , she was in love with him LOL! It was a fantastic outdoor show! PEACE from Southwest Michigan. 🐉💀👽🎸🎶🎵🧠

I didn't think anyone from my generation appreciated Levon as much as I do (I'm 56), but I never tire of hearing Levon's voice.

I always focused on Levons singing..But his drumming was top notch.

Brilliant insightful commentary on my favorite band of all time

Yeah The Band was played on rock stations for decades but Levon’s drums connected to his voice swung so hard it pushed rock boundaries in a most healthy way. Bless you LH

Dude. After the algorithm had this pop up on my suggested vids, I jumped down the rabbit hole here a few nights ago. I was up till 4 so thanks for that. You are spot on with a lot of your analysis. (not just this vid). We have a ton of stuff in common and glad to see I am not alone! Keep it up.

Ive been to the barn in 2010! ill never forget that! I love Levon!

I want to be your best friend based off two thoughts you made clear: 1) Your love for Levon. 2) Your appreciation, but also hatred, for Robbie.

I enjoyed watching this and I absolutely loved Levon as well. But watching this you explained why I do and didn't know it until now! Thank you!

A great feature on Levon. Such a fantstic musician. I think it's pretty amazing that he got that huge sound playing with Ludwig 7A's!

I have yet to hear a drummer playing any of the songs by the Band that managed to cop the Levon's swing and his unique fills. He was one of a kind IMO.

Levon is one of a kind and a great vocalist along with being a terrific drummer. The Band is just an incredible group of musicians that are few and far between!

Thanks for this man. One of their greatest songs too, Richard’s vocals are so good in this song too.

My favorite singer also!!!, thanks Bro.

This video brings me up when im down. Viva Levon

Awesome video man Levon is my favorite drummer..He had soul.

Just subbed as I started watching. This dude was absolutely amazing

Great video for a great artist. I love Levon too. So much more than a drummer.

Hey Steve! Came across this while looking around. Big Band fan since Woodstock, Easy Rider, etc. Just really getting into all their other stuff with the 50th anniversary reissues, so was glad to see you focus on King Harvest . Levon's drumming and vocals are like none other. I started watching his hands, just amazing. You hit it when you said Levon and Rick could really put down a groove that could make you weep. Thank you for this vid, was easy to understand not being a musician. Yeah, Robbie wrote some good shit, but the other four put in the heart and soul. RIP Levon.

This was awesome. I love when you talk about Levon's playing. I'm watching lots of his videos now because I'm gearing up to play a one time only show of all The Band covers here in Richmond, Virginia. I wanna get it right but also not over think it. I've been told a handful of times (don't quite believe it) that my playing resembles his. That seems to make it harder if I think about it too much. Thanks for the tips!! Also, my wife and I planned our whole honeymoon around seeing him play in 2010. So fucking good.

Great job, thanks so much!

My drummer have played together for 33 years now. I know of what you speak! Great video and great comments!

Excellent choice! Drummer and song!

Wow brother such a great tribute love it

I love The Band and your analysis is spot on from the heart and soul. Excellent!!❤❤

Fuckin awesome video. Love this so much. Tremendous song. Tremendous band.

I'm of a certain age and Levon is my hero. I'm a guitar picker, bass player but I was a drummer first...love your channel.

Amen, Amen, Amen brother Steve! Can I get a hallelujah??? I've heard of Levon Helm and The Band, but your video is the 1st I've seen cover them. Many thank yous for sharing this goodness! And you speak deep truth about the holy grail of the groove because when you find yourself lost in it it's a metaphysical and consciousness transformative experience where everyone is serving the music that is being co-created.

Great video - truth. Long hours playing is the only way. This is why the Beatles sounded so good. They spend endless hours playing long sets several times a day in Germany. This gave them that tight, full, immediate sound. Came back to England and blew everyone away.

Great, great content.

I think LeVON's legacy and popularity continues to grow. We just don't have this kind of exceptional talent around now. He so has the cool going on, love the way he even can change up his singing here. Richard is also fantastic in every way!

I have loved The Band since high school (Class of 1972). I only wish that I had seen them live in concert. Still, thank goodness for RU-vid and of course all of their recordings. Stage Fright forever!!

I Love the Band!!! On of the greatest bands of all time!! Levon is the shit!!

DUDE!!!! I love your enthusiasm - !!! We got to go up to his place for the Midnight Ramble five six times. Life changing.

Levon Forever 🖤

Thanks for this video. I'm on a major Band kick, as happens every few years. It's the music, but also the way these five guys worked together and complemented each other. I'm not a drummer, so thanks for helping me understand why I love Levon so much.

Fantastic. Love The Band (especially Levon and Rick). Thanks for the passion and love of a real musician.

As a singer and piano player, Richard Manuel was my everything. Actually Manuel, Danko and Helm from a singing perspective. Listening to the band taught me how to play and how to hear and sing harmonies. Your taste in music is exquisite.

I couldn't agree any more. much respect goes out to Larry and family also...

REALLY COOL,,,I LOVE THE BAND,,,,!!! and it was really Cool to hear youre take and interpertations on Levon Helm and all that he gave us!!!!Mahalo!!!

I agree with u about a lot of wat u said in this video. I know the history of every member as well. And i understnd ur hatred to robbie.. but, in fact, it was robbie's idea to make the rhythm do that duh dum... duh dum. And thats because he knew what his band, and especially levon and rick, were able to do. So that rhythm section u were talking about was actually robbie's vision of wat he wanted. And thats not comin from robbie. But from levon in an old interview. And robbie also talked about it in an interview once. So u might hate robbie but he knew wat he was able to achieve with levon and rick. And richard and garth as well. But like u said yes, it comes from playing together for a long time. Getting tight and being able to gel are two different things like u said. And i agree with ur analysis a lot. Just wanted to share that info with u. Take it as u want. But its comin from peace and love. Keep up the good work bro. Levon helm is also my favorite drummer.

the band changed my life

One of my favorites.

Another thing about this video is that it's recorded in a very live room. It's not like a modern studio where all the walls are acoustically padded. Here when he hits the snare you can hear the wood drums bouncing off the wooden walls. Look at the high two story wooden ceiling. This is not a space that a recording engineer would want to work in but it's a great space in which to listen to a live performance. It's so open that it lets the music breath.

I’m with you on this. The fact that he could sing so well and play like that amazed me. When I listen to and the night they drove old Dixie down from the last waltz. It is like he is singing and playing for his life. He was one of a kind. The Band was one of the most underrated band. Musical geniuses.

I feel you every minute of this video. I could geek out about Levon for hours.

I love this series! Loved the analysis of Patrick Wilson, too; so true! Thanks for the great videos and for introducing me to Levon!

Love Levon Helm!!! Great video. I am not even a drummer but I have enjoyed all of your videos that I have watched so far. Keep it up!

The Beatles played and played together as well in Hamburg. Thats a great point about The band and how they sounded so good.

The Band is so great.As a bassist that sang lead in many groups I've always been amazed at lead singer drummers.

Man, Levon is my favourite drummer too. Never bettered. Never forgotten.

Levon was the man! Great video and analysis of one of The Band's lesser known songs.

Loved the Levon show - being a fan from the ‘60s and not having TV we struggled to figure out how he managed to play and sing at the same time. Keeping the drums from swamping the vocal track is an art with Levon being an absolute Master. Robbie has a lot to answer for as the Band were at the height of their game when he pulled the plug.

I'm just here because of Levon !!

heartbreaking and gorgeous. Thank you.

good shit brother love seeing your excitement of levon and the band ...... i fell like not enough love is shown for these guys

Big fan of Levon too. Also played guitar and mandolin and as you said, his voice too. Incredible all around musician

there’s a great documentary about the band on you tube called once we were brothers… excellent!!! 🌸