I was not a fan of The Band only because of their affiliation with Dylan. I later took a good look at them and Levon Helm in particular. I learned that I shouldn't dismiss a group based on their lowest common denominator.
The point? It depends on your perspective. In Helm's case I think you have to know just a little bit about him to love him. He was an amazing talent and recognized as such by his peers.
Thanks for the post. This is a conversation that you normally wouldn't expect to hear with a great drummer/vocalist.