Taylor Swift Dominates at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
Kellie Pickler Named 'Dancing With the Stars' Champion
Beyonce Releases New Anthem, 'Grown Woman'
Carrie Underwood 'Goats' Hunter Hayes With Blown Away Tour Prank
J. Cole Performs 'Born Sinner' on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,' Reveals Competitive Spirit Against Kanye West
PHOTO: Dog Guards Dead Victim's Body After Oklahoma Tornado Disaster
Tim McGraw's 'Superstar Summer Night' Special to Air May 19
Demi Looks FANTASTIC In A Bikini
Blake Shelton Will Return for Season 5 of 'The Voice'
Who Won 'DWTS'?
Toby Keith Says His Hometown of Moore, Oklahoma 'Will Perservere' After Deadly Tornado
PHOTOS: This Is The Best Response To Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries We've Seen Yet
Tim McGraw Stops Atlanta Show to Help Ailing Fan
Wolf Blitzer's Embarrassing Moment With Tornado Survivor
Miguel and Fan Are 'Okay' After Crazy Kick at 2013 Billboard Music Awards
Rescuers Continue Search For Tornado Survivors
Man Reportedly Beheaded In Brutal Assault In London Neighborhood
The World's Most Powerful Women
PHOTOS: Christie Brinkley Gets Back Into A Swimsuit At 59 Years Old
Mother Dies With Infant During Oklahoma Tornado
U.S. Acknowledges Four American Citizens Killed In Drone Strikes
NY Times Eviscerates Obama White House
Help For Heroes Killing
PHOTOS: Tornado Aftermath Leaves Trail Of Destruction
60 Minutes Makes All The Difference For $360 Million Jackpot
15 Incredible Cat Photobombs
White Father Allegedly Suspected Of Kidnapping Biracial Daughters
Singer Sues McDonald's, Claims Chicken Sandwich Incident Ruined Her Voice
Grossed Out Student Finds "Worm" In His McMuffin
CBS Reporter's Grave Allegations
Mila Kunis And Ashton Kutcher Put Their Romance On Display
Tara Ellison: Why I Gave A Toast At My Ex-Husband's Wedding
Tornadoes Strike Oklahoma
Getty Images
Despite fighting cancer for the last decade and a half of his life, Helm never let his illness stifle his creativity. Unable to tour, the former drummer for the Band spent the past decade hosting the Midnight Ramble at his home studio in Woodstock, NY, often inviting guests up to perform and collaborate. Hansard, the singer-guitarist for the Frames and one-half of Oscar-winning duo the Swell Season, was invited to participate on multiple occasions, the first time being in October 2008.
"I don't know how it came about but they invited [the Swell Season] to come up," Hansard tells Spinner. "Our drummer was flipping out. Levon brought us into the kitchen, made us apple pie and made us tea. We talked with him. He gave us some hash cookies for the journey home. We got on really well with him and he really enjoyed our set. So he kept in contact with me."
Last spring, Hansard asked members from Levon's band down to New York City to contribute to his debut solo album, Rhythm and Repose. Then last fall, Hansard was invited back to Helm's, where they discussed trying out new songs. Hansard played the music icon a song called "Lucia," whose riff was based on the Band's "Don't Do It."
"It was such a joy, watching Levon, the man who inspired the song, the way he hang off that beat, it's just a little bit late," says Hansard. "And I tend to rush. I was learning watching him and just learning how to hold the guitar back."
Unfortunately, "Lucia" was left off Rhythm and Repose. But Hansard says he may rework the track for a later release, possibly an extended EP. Read the full story on Spinner.
