Ain't in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm

Levon Helm lived a life in music, one that unfortunately ended too soon last year when he was 71 years old. But what a life! His career traced the entire arc of the rock and roll era, from his early years seeing Elvis, Sonny Boy and Bill Monroe as a kid in Arkansas, to his years on the road as a member of Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks, then leader of Levon And The Hawks, which became Dylan's first road band. Then The Hawks became The Band, the most respected band of the golden age of rock.He played a decent guitar and a distinctive mandolin, but that voice! Levon was the voice of the American heartland, an iconic, craggy, lusty voice whether singing, acting and narrating, or just telling stories. And, oh yes, he was one the the very best drummers in the world. But his post-Band career, while artistically rich, left him ultimately broke, and in the late nineties cancer took his voice.To pay the rent and medical bills, and just to play, he began hosting Midnight Rambles at his home in Woodstock, where he had a studio in his beautiful barn. Playing for a couple hundred people on Saturday nights, Levon came all the way back to the top, and along the way his voice came back. Sort of.This beautiful and powerful documentary, filmed with Levon's full cooperation around 2008, finds him at home with his family and friends, learning of his nomination for a Grammy for his new album (he would win it, along with two more), laughing and telling stories with his friends and bandmates, and playing with some of the best musicians on the planet both in his barn and on tour. While the beautiful spirit and sheer joy of music certainly shine through here, the film is also unflinching in showing Levon struggling with a ravaged voice and being tested, rather unpleasantly, at a hospital, and making those closest to him cringe with his bitterness about the end of The Band and the subsequent demise of his dear friends Rick and Richard.Ultimately, this film holds up in several ways. It is a gritty, effective "fly on the wall" style documentary; it is an interesting and instructive view of a Rock life; and if you went to a Ramble at the Barn, or just loved Levon for the national treasure he was, it will move you.OK, I guess that's a thumbs up.

The story of The Band has been told many times: The Last Waltz showed how they could be themselves and still make the greatest musicians of their time shine as a back-up band, Elvis '59 tells Levon's story with Elvis', The interview on The Band Is Back about Sonny Boy Williamson, The Authorized Autobiography of The Band and his finale Love For Levon filmed at among other venues Madison Square Garden.Listen closely and you will discover that Levon ((AKA Lavon) used to sit on the floor as Sonny Boy Williamson broadcast King Biscuit Time in Helena Arkansas across the river from Friar's Point MS as a child During his high school days he encountered the son of Mr. Jenkins, one of the captains of the Friar's Point MS/Helena AR ferry (and the father of another person who grew up in Marvell AR/Turkey Scratch AR -- Harold Jenkins who became Conway Twitty). Conway Twitty started as a rockabilly artist and waited for Levon to graduate High School to join him on the road as his drummer. Turkey Scratch (Pop. 70) was also the birthplace of Robert Lockwood Jr., Robert Johnson's stepson and only guitar student.Levon was the only American among the members of Arkansas transplant Ronnie Hawkins' rock band which ruled Yonge Street in Toronto. Had rockabilly lasted another year, Ronnie Hawkins would likely have been its star after Elvis when into the Army.Ironically both Robert Lockwood Jr. and Levon Helm won their first Grammies near the end of their lives.This is the story of Levon Helm's struggle with lung cancer which late in his career and before he won his Grammy for his Dirt Farmer album. He was an original and an early inductee into the Rock' n' Roll Hall of Fame.

There's no sugarcoating the fact that this film is partly an exercise in watching a dying man in his last "good" days. If you're someone who admired and valued, or loved this man that's pretty rough.I loved the Band's music and think Levon was a fabulous drummer and superb singer. To the extent that one hopes to get to really know the person one knows only through a media filter, this film delivers a pretty straight ahead portrait of a man who was pretty straight ahead. The sense that what you saw was what he was is pretty much confirmed here.Its a sobering unblinking look at illness, dying, perseverance and a man in some ways trying to come to terms with the vagaries of existence.At one time the Band was one of the most popular Rock & Roll groups in the country, and imo certainly the best white band this country (or Canada) ever produced. They must have made untold millions.Here we come upon Levon whose medical expenses have driven him to the brink of home foreclosure, (if it can happen to him, who's safe?) and one can't help but wonder how the hell that happened?Well it apparently is all in the song publishing rights and Robbie Robertson got most of those. Levon is justifiably bitter.This is not how I'd choose to remember Levon Helm as a sick, suffering albeit game, septuagenarian, but I'm glad to have had the opportunity to see how things were towards the end.As a documentary I'd have to give it high marks.

A disappointing film. The late Levon Helm is up for sainthood in so many folks' eyes and fair enough as he was a Roots Rock Icon but the man in this video is slippery and fond of self-medicating. A great musician, sure, but not a role model for anyone and I am wondering if the director and producer of this flick knew this film would show their man as being loved but being...ahhh...unique, shall we say. I watched it once closely and could not bear to see it a second time. Nonetheless I am pleased Levon Helm left us on an artistic upswing with two fine solo albums and his Ramble gigs at his home.

An excellent documentary clouded only by the inevitable conclusion. Excellent music and stories throughout from all involved. Levon speaks his mind and you are left in no doubt what he thinks of 'The Man' and the musical awards system. The film is book-ended by 'When I Go Away' from Electric Dirt and that seems to encapsulate his musical taste perfectly. A shame to watch his voice failing and changing as the film progresses but a brave decision by a fine vocalist and original drummer. A great music film and excellent documentary

As a Glimpse into Levon's later life, this documentary was thoughtful & respectful, which confirms Levon was the man I'd always thought he was. It shows good & bad sides to his personality, but the good far exceeds the bad.One of the best music documentaries I've seen in many a year. Heartily recommended.

Some lovely footage offstage and great playing on it.

Really good video but a shame to see Levon so bitter. RIP.