The Band‘s drummer and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Levon Helm is in the ‘final stages’ of cancer according to a letter released by his family.
Helm has been battling the disease since the late 1990s when he was diagnosed with throat cancer, and recently cancelled a series of upcoming performances, including a planned appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
The open letter, posted on his official website, reads:
Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.
Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration… he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage…
We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy