
Levon Helm's soulful melodies and passionate drumming touched millions of fans of The Band, but today we recognize his spirit and perseverance.
After being diagnosed with throat cancer in the late 90s, Helm's dynamic sound was replaced by a barely audible rasp. But despite this obstacle, Helm ultimately managed to regain what he described as 80 percent of his voice and continued to perform.
Advertisement
His push past physical and emotional hardship seems to sum up his outlook on life in general. As he puts it, "Boy, it's a joyful life that we've all been given." Here are a few more of his greatest quotes: