The Rolling Stone Blog

Levon Helm Hospitalized, Misses Midnight Ramble

By | The Rolling Stone Blog – Wed, Dec 15, 2010 4:55 AM EST

Levon Helm, former drummer and vocalist for The Band, was hospitalized on Saturday with a cold but is expected to make a full recovery and be released within the next few days, according to his manager. The ailment caused him to miss Saturday's Midnight Ramble concert at his Woodstock, New York, home.

"Because he's got COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], a little bit of a cold to you and me is a lot more serious for him," Helm's manager, Barbara O'Brien, told the Poughkeepsie Journal . She told the Kingston Daily Freeman on Monday that Helm's ailment is "totally unrelated" to his recent bout with throat cancer.

Helm, 70, told O'Brien to offer refunds or exchanges to ticketholders at Saturday's show, although "99 percent" decided to stay, O'Brien said. Justin Guip, chief engineer of Helm's studio, covered for him on drums.

Photos: Levon Helm's Ramble With My Morning Jacket

Helm has been holding Rambles once or twice a month since 2004. Guests have included Elvis Costello, Phil Lesh, My Morning Jacket and many others.

Levon Helm hospitalized with cold [Daily Freeman]

Levon Helm hospitalized, but OK [Poughkeepsie Journal via Spinner] 

News for You

  • Mom: RI theater threw out disabled girl over noise

    NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — A woman says she and her 5-year-old developmentally disabled daughter were thrown out of a theater during a "Beauty and the Beast" performance because the girl was making giggling and humming noises she makes when she's happy.

  • Deen says she used slur but doesn't tolerate hate

    SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Celebrity cook Paula Deen said while being questioned in a discrimination lawsuit that she has used racial slurs in the past but insisted she and her family do not tolerate prejudice.

  • Palace sheds some light on Kate's baby plans

    LONDON (AP) — With Prince William and the former Kate Middleton expecting their first child in mid-July — and much of the world interested in the birth of a future monarch — the royals' office has released some of the couple's plans, although many details are still being kept private. Kate has made several public appearances recently but is expected to keep a low profile in the final weeks of her pregnancy. Here is the latest news about the infant who will, upon entering the world, be third in line for the British throne.

  • Cher credits luck for her lengthy career

    UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Cher is no stranger to tabloid fodder.

  • 'The Voice' Winner: Who Did the Experts Choose?

    By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - NBC's "The Voice" will crown another winner on Tuesday night's finale. Season 4's three finalists - Daniellle Bradbury, Michelle Shamuel and The Swon Brothers - battled it out for the title on Monday's performance finale episode. Before the performances, coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Shakira and Usher performed The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends." The Top 16 then got together for the second group performance of the night on Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros' "Home. ...

  • Bieber behind wheel as car hits man in Hollywood

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Video shows Justin Bieber running into a photographer with his white Ferrari in Hollywood, but police say there was no crime and the injuries aren't life-threatening.

Show More