Levon (song) Levon (song) "Levon" is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and recorded by Elton John. John recorded it on February 27, 1971 and released it on his fourth album, "Madman Across the Water". Backing vocals are provided by Tony Burrows. The song reached number 24 on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100, and peaked at number six on the Canadian RPM singles chart. According to Gus Dudgeon, Bernie Taupin was inspired by The Band's co-founder, drummer and singer Levon Helm to name the song after him. The Band was apparently John and Taupin's favourite group at the time.
Levon Helm that comes out of certain place in the past and you can't replicate it." Springsteen also said it was one of the songs that he had played with drummer Max Weinberg in Weinberg's audition with for the band. On June 2, 2012, at Mountain Jam, Gov't Mule, along with the Levon Helm Band (with Lukas Nelson coming on stage for the closing song) played a tribute set, including "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Up on Cripple Creek,""It Makes No Difference," and closing with "The Weight." A tribute concert called Love for Levon took place at the Izod Center