Rick Danko

This site is all about Rick Danko, the charismatic bass and acoustic guitar player and one of the three lead singers for the legendary rock group, The Band. Rick's iconic plaintive tenor, his ethereal, one-of-a-kind harmonies and his loping, melodic, percussive bass playing were a large part of The Band's signature sound. Equally integral to The Band's mystique--and to their secure and enviable perch high atop the upper crust of rock and roll--was Rick's magnetic, larger-than-life persona--part innocent country boy, part wandering troubadour, part reluctant rock star.

Rick Danko was about music. He was about melody. He was about harmony. He was about authenticity. He was about vulnerability. Rick was--and always will be--the epitome of unadorned, unaffected, unparalleled cool.

I worked with Rick for many years. He was a dear friend and a major influence who "taught me how to seek the path." This site is part of a promise I made to him a long time ago. I hope you enjoy it.

Please note that all content on this site is copyright-protected. All articles, essays, and other written materials (c) Carol Caffin, unless otherwise noted. Do Not Reproduce.


Happy 70th Birthday, Levon

A very happy birthday to Levon Helm, who turns 70 today.
I remember when he turned 50, and I was excited that he was still going strong "at his age."  Twenty years later, he's still going...stronger than ever. Here's to many more happy, healthy years.







(Photo by Carol Caffin, Hampton, VA, 9/8/90)
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6 comments:

  1. happy 70th Levon!

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  2. Carol, I saw a show on VH-1 Classics just a few months ago where Levon was a guest. He could only play the drums with the other guests at that time, because he was not yet able to talk after the throat cancer surgery. I am so glad to hear that he is rockin' as strong as ever. Happy birthday Levon, and many many more to come. Love to you.

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  3. Ten years ago, on his 60th birthday, Levon played the Turning Point in Piermont, NY (I think it was with the Barnburners). As many of us Rick Danko fans know, the Turning Point is a very small club, holds only 69 people. Imagine seeing Levon in a little club for twenty bucks. Not any more. Levon was unable to sing at the time. The whole audience spontaneously sang Happy Birthday, Levon grinning from ear to ear. Very sweet moment.

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  4. Gary—that is sweet, but why is it hard to imagine Levon playing in a small club? The entire Band played at Stephen Talkhouse, which is a tiny club. Rick played the Turning Point regularly, as well as the Towne Crier and Caffe Lena and other similar places. He also played Carnegie Hall and MSG and Woodstock and lots of larger venues and major festivals.

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  5. Carol - I only meant that, given his huge popularity now, with Levon playing halls like the Beacon and the Ryman, it's not likely he'll play small clubs again anytime soon - all the more reason to go to a Ramble! I saw The Band, Rick, and Levon at several small clubs, and they were all great shows.

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  6. A Sweetheart of a man. I miss him Madly.

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