This Wheel’s Still On Fire: The Legacy of Levon Helm
EXHIBITION DATES: June 16-Sept. 6
OPENING RECEPTION: Tuesday, June 16, 6-8pm
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This Wheel’s Still On Fire is a celebration of a life well-lived, a connected community and Levon Helm’s artistic legacy.
From his earliest years growing up in Turkey Scratch, Arkansas, Levon Helm was surrounded by music and community. He began his music career in high school when Ronnie Hawkins invited him to join his band. By the early 1960s, Levon and Hawkins had recruited Canadian musicians Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson to form Levon and the Hawks, which later became Bob Dylan’s backing group, The Band.
After The Band’s 1976 performance The Last Waltz, the original line-up parted ways and Levon returned to Woodstock to build a home and studio. During this time, he focused on his solo music and acting career. The Band reunited in 1983 without Robbie Robertson and continued to record and tour.
In 1998, Levon was diagnosed with throat cancer, which caused damage to his vocal cords. As a way of recovering from treatment and gathering musicians and community together, Levon opened his Barn to host Midnight Rambles, inspired by shows he saw as a teen. Before his death in 2012, Levon instructed friends and family to “keep it going,” and the Midnight Rambles continued -- keeping the community gathered and the music flowing. The legacy of the Midnight Ramble continues today as the inspiration behind "The Ramble" right here in Downtown Fayetteville.
Curated by the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame, this exhibition features never-before displayed items including personal photographs, instruments from The Band members, tour memorabilia, awards and interviews with friends and fellow musicians including Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Max Weinberg and more. Guests can talk a walk in Helm’s shoes and play the drums as a "Ramble Band" guest drummer as multi-instrumentalist Charley Drayton provides a video tutorial.
Lead support provided by Barbara Tyson in memory of Randal Tyson & Don Tyson who were friends and great fans of Levon.