AXS TV Concerts Season 1 Episode 22 Love for Levon: A Benefit to Save the Barn

Love for Levon: A Benefit to Save the Barn was a star-studded tribute concert held in honor of the late Levon Helm, a legendary drummer and singer-songwriter best known for his work with the band The Band. The concert was held at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and featured over thirty musicians performing some of Levon's most beloved songs.

The concert was organized as a benefit to raise funds for Helm's studio and performance space, the Barn, in Woodstock, New York, which had fallen on hard times due to Helm's illness and eventual passing. Helm had become a beloved figure in Woodstock, where he had lived for many years and held regular Midnight Rambles at the Barn, inviting musicians and fans to come together for informal performances.

The show opened with a heartfelt speech from actress and musician Meg Ryan, who spoke of Helm's importance to the history of American music and his impact on her personally. She was followed by a performance by the Americana duo The Milk Carton Kids, who played a haunting version of "Whispering Pines", a song from The Band's third album, Stage Fright.

The rest of the night was a celebration of Helm's life and music, featuring performances by stars such as John Mayer, My Morning Jacket, Joe Walsh, and Mavis Staples. Each artist brought their own style to the songs, but all shared a deep appreciation for Levon's work and the influence it had on their own music.

One of the standout performances of the night came from Roger Waters, the bassist and songwriter of Pink Floyd. Waters played a powerful version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", one of The Band's most iconic songs and a reflection on the hardships faced by Southerners during the Civil War. Waters' rendition was raw and emotional, capturing the pain and pride at the heart of the song.

Another memorable performance came from country-rock singer Lucinda Williams, who sang "Whispering Pines" with a husky, bluesy edge that gave the song a new depth of feeling. Williams' voice was a perfect match for the song's haunting lyrics, which speak of longing and loss.

Other highlights of the show included performances by Larry Campbell, who had worked with Helm for many years and organized the benefit concert, and Levon's daughter Amy Helm, who sang a soulful tribute to her father. The show closed with a rousing version of "The Weight", one of The Band's most beloved songs and a fitting tribute to Levon Helm's legacy.

Throughout the concert, the audience could feel the love and respect that the performers had for Levon Helm and his music. It was a night of joy, sadness, and celebration, as friends and fans came together to honor a true American original. The concert was a fitting tribute to Levon Helm's life and work, and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together.