The Band singer and drummer Levon Helm is in the final stages of cancer, according to a note posted on his website Tuesday by his wife, Sandy, and daughter, Amy.

"Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey," the note said. "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."

At Saturday's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, former Band guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson told the audience, "We all need to send out love and prayers to my Band mate Levon Helm," but he did not elaborate.

As one of three lead singers for the Band, along with Richard Manuel and Rick Danko, the Arkansas-born Helm was the dominant voice on such signature songs as "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Rag Mama Rag" and "Daniel and the Sacred Harp."


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