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.

I can't wait to see this again and again when it releases on Amazon. I have pre-ordered it here but was lucky enough to attend a showing at Levon's barn in Woodstock earlier this year. Like the Midnight Rambles and the other shows they're still doing there, it was so moving and joyful that I know I don't remember all the details. It left me with a feeling of the fun and joy that Levon brought to his music and to the lives of so many people who were lucky enough to know him. It also gave a much deeper and more intimate look at his life, the things that guided him and the challenges he faced to live on his own terms. Levon was blessed to have been surrounded by a lot of wonderful people who continue to love and honor him with their commitment to "Keep it Goin'". A lot of them appear in this film. After you see this and wish that you would have gone up to the barn to see one of his shows, browse to levonhelm.com and get yourself a ticket. The sequel to this film is performed live most Saturday nights.

This documentary accomplishes something rare in a biographical story: it is uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. Watching Levon simultaneously struggle with illness while continuing to live and love life and create and perform beautiful music is powerfully inspiring. Listening to the stories about the dark side of his history with The Band was heartbreaking, and the filmmaker gives us a nuanced look at how Levon deals with his legacy with pride, but also with some bitterness about the music business. In his unguarded moments, we can see that Levon is still heartbroken over the loss of Richard Manuel and Rick Danko, and the interview sequences with Rick's widow are a brilliant juxtaposition that meshes Levon's story with the demise of The Band and the era in which they breathed rarefied air. I thank the filmmaker for this heartwarming portrait, and I treasure this intimate record of a slice of the life - and tragic death - of a man and musician I have always admired and respected.

This was such a painfully honest portrayal of one of the truly REAL, kind, talented musicians to have graced our lives. He took the good and the bad with equal grace and determination .. he enjoyed every moment of the highs and worked through the lows with the help of his friends and family. He always stayed the boy from arkansas. he loved a lot, laughed a lot, and fought the good fight to the end. an unforgettable image ... i had already seen the movie, but wanted to own it so that i could look at it again and again and be inspired.

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 heart wrenching DVD about Levon Helm's last couple of years of his life.Very well done.Approved by Levon.Very, very sad story of a great rock legend, rock and roll star.An American hero in the world of rock and roll.I am at a loss of words to describe how great this man was in Americana. He is greatly missed to this day.Very moving.We have lost a great man. Thank you Levon for all the great music, and movie parts, and mostly singing in one of Americas's greatest band's. He was the BAND!

I love The Band. Probably one of the most unrecognized yet most influential bands of the 60s and 70s. Dylan’s backup band for years. Great story of Levon’s last years, battle with cancer, and also covers some of The Band’s history/animosity because of issues. Great voice (and harmony with Richard Manuel and Rick Danko) and perspective on the music industry. Plus my name is Garth...so there’s that..go Garth Hudson!

The Band is probably one of the most unique collections of musicians but most of all it was a collection of eclectic personality. Yes Robbie Robertson gets to wear the egotistical devil horns in most media reviews and documentaries, but Levon Helm's got his stubbornness broadly on display. With his Celtic, grudge-holding lineage at his core, Levon's end of life could've been more joyful but he chose to righteously grasp and wrestle the demons that he felt tortured him and maybe other members of The Band. Too bad! I found his story to be very sad but it was wonderful to watch the people around him build bridges to support his musical talent. I just wish Levon Helm would have understood that life in martyrdom is a lonely place.

Lastima que no haya subtitulos en ningún idioma

Per un appassionato di Levon Helm e dei The Band questo film è un cult. Consigliato inoltre a tutti gli amanti del Rock and Roll, Country, Americana. L' ultima scintilla del più grande batterista di tutti i tempi e di uno dei migliori cantanti mai esistiti (top 100 migliori cantanti su Rollingstone). Il film ha una trama sempre piuttosto veloce e alterna momenti di discussione, di straziante tristezza per la sua malattia e di performances di Levon e della sua Band. Unica pecca è che non sono presenti sottotitoli e l'accento americano del sud non è sempre così facile da capire. Consigliatissimo ad ogni modo.

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

Arrived on time , found movie to be very informative , and just love Levon's music. Thanks

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.