Love For Levon on Wednesday: A Few Spoilers

For those attending Wednesday night’s Love For Levon tribute concert and don’t want any part of the evening’s surprises ruined, do not read any further. A preview of the event and some Facebook chatter have revealed a few tidbits of info about what’s planned for the concert which will be held at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. As a reminder, the event is a benefit concert to raise funds that will keep Levon Helm Studios in the hand’s of Levon’s estate.

First, The Star-Ledger reports that the event’s musical directors, Larry Campbell and Don Was, have recruited famed drummer Kenny Arnoff (John Mellencamp/Smashing Pumpkins/John Fogerty/Trey Anastasio) to “hit the skins for the house band.” The Star-Ledger’s piece also reveals that Joe Walsh will be tasked with singing Up On Cripple Creek. There’s also some chatter in the piece about the possibility of Robbie Robertson appearing. We’d be shocked to see that happen, but promoter Keith Wortman would neither confirm nor deny Robertson’s potential appearance.

One of the bigger names on the bill is that of Roger Waters. Today, Levon Helm Band member Teresa Williams discussed the rehearsals and revealed two of the songs likely to be performed, one of which will be a duet between Waters and Amy Helm…

When we arrived at The Barn for rehearsals Sat. (a little toasted after our fun night with Mike and Ruthy at the Bearsville Theatre!), Muddy greeted Larry and me, stood and stared at us. It felt heavy suddenly. We paused there with Muddy’s sad eyes looking at us. “Okay, Muddy, let’s do this final big memorial for Levon.”

It felt good to be in the warm, wood cocoon of The Barn going through these songs. But hearing “Whispering Pines” nearly did us in. Same for today hearing Roger Waters and Amy doing “Wide River” . . .

I think if you miss this event at the old Meadow Lands, you’ll always regret not having been there. Love for Levon indeed.

The most recent lineup announcement stated that there are more “legendary surprise guests to be announced.” No confirmation yet on exactly who those guests will be. Rumors run the gamut from Bruce Springsteen to Bob Dylan to Trey Anastasio to Eric Clapton. Who actually shows remains to be seen. Tickets for Love For Levon are currently available via Ticketmaster.