Levon Helm In ‘Final Stages’ Of His Battle With Cancer

In a note on his website, the family of Levon Helm announced that the veteran rock icon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer.

Helm, 71, is known best as the singer/drummer of The Band.

Born and raised in Arkansas, Helm began his career as a member of The Hawks, the backing band for Ronnie Hawkins, where he met his future "Band"mates. The group later went on to back Bob Dylan before striking out on their own.

The family's note is below:

Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.

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...

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy