Levon Helm From Imus On MSNBC Monday September 19, 2005

I didn't watch Imus on MSNBC all the time. When I did watch it was usually to see his comedians do impersonations. The show would unfortunately make me cringe sometimes because Imus would tip over the line. There were times where you would smile in embarrassment because you knew that he had gone too far but hope he wouldn't get into trouble. Right before Imus would go to a commercial break I would notice that he would often use The Band's music as bumper music. You would hear Up on Cripple Creek, Rag Mama Rag, and particularly The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. There was one song that he would play that was performed live by Levon called, Goodnight Irene that was just incredible! I had also notice that he would occasionally have musical guest on his show. Most of the bands or artists during this time I was not familiar with. However, I would later discover these seem artists eventually through listening to more country, blues, soul and old time rock n' roll music. Obviously after seeing this stuff I'm telling myself, "Wow, you never know maybe he can have Levon Helm on there someday. That would be awesome!" Than one faithful Monday morning on September 19, 2005 I received a phone call from my brother from his school. He called me because I called him earlier to see if he was at school. When he called me I was in bed and I wasn't going to get up. However, after he called me I decided to get up and watch Imus in the morning. In fact, it might have been more about wanting to see what Amy Robach was wearing than watching what was on Imus on MSNBC. When I turned the television on and flipped the channel to MSNBC I see this old man playing the drums that look like he chewed too much tobacco. He voice was raspy but there was soul and true confidence in it. He was ancient but his soul was just as young and filled with fire than anyone that has ever wielded the power of the drum and god gifted musical ability. He was the real deal no doubt! I heard, "You know my heart it rack with pain, and my best friend scandalous my name. Say I want to know can you feel my pain, and when I die pick me up and stand by me!" "Wow, it's the man! It's actually him! It's Levon Helm!" I said out loud! I also notice a woman that I thought resembled Chelsea Clinton. That's right Levon Helm is from Arkansas! That's must be his daughter Amy! After doing my research on Levon Helm I remember that she was in a band with her dad called The Barn Burners. Not to sell them short I was to learn the greatness of Jimmy Vivino and the importance of musical instrument genius and producer of Levon Helm's Grammy award winning albums Dirt Farmer, Electric Dirt, and Ramble at the Ryman Larry Campbell. Also the Blues Harmonica great Little Sammy Davis who I actually thought may have had been related to Sammy Davis Jr.! Also during this performance I actually thought that the bumper song entitled, Give Back the key To My Heart was Rick Danko! I was more hoping that it was Rick because I had heard that just before Rick died his voice was just as awesome if not more awesome than it had been in the past and that he been making incredible music. After doing research it turned out not to be Rick Danko but an alternative country band called Uncle Tupelo. Levon seemed to dig the groove and I wonder to this day if he reached out to the members of this band that later formed the group Wilco. Wilco had performed with Levon during numerous concerts in the past year. Unfortunately I had to mute that part of the video. When I originally uploaded this video to UA-cam it was block in the United States because of WMG. From 16:29 to 17:45 the song could be heard before I had to mute it. Just watching Levon Helm with that beautiful kindle spark in his eye! Levon's awesome smile was so heartwarming! I would like to dedicate this video to the life and legacy of Levon Helm and to all that knew him and loved him. I would also love to dedicate this video to the memory of Don Imus's brother Fred Imus who died last year. Fred was a huge fan of the song Give back the key To My Heart! Always have people around you that love and care for you all! Peace, lots of love and God Bless!
Song Order is
1. "I Want To Know"
2. "Rip It Up"
3. "Blow Wind Blow"
4. "When The Battle is Over"
5. "It Takes A Lot to Laugh, It Takes A Train to Cry"

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the harmonica player is LittleSammyDavis!
LittleSammyDavis com

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why did he play Irene?