There comes a time to say goodbye in everyone’s life, and the time is nigh for a musical icon.

Levon Helm, the drummer and vocalist from ’60s folk and rock heroes The Band, is battling the final stages of cancer and is expected to pass in the coming days. With his passing comes the loss of a true troubadour and iconic figure in the music community.

Helm, along with Band-mate Robbie Robertson, is the genius responsible for timeless classics like “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and “Up On Cripple Creek.”

When I say timeless, I mean it. The idea of a younger generation of music fans finding meaning and appreciation in older music has always fascinated me. I suppose this quality is what separates the musical haves from the have-nots.

Helm’s musical popularity peaked 20 years before I was born. Probably another 15 years had passed since I can remember hearing a song by the band.

Still, I remember the first time I heard “The Weight” (most are familiar with the song, whether they’re aware of it or not.)

I was a junior in high school and sitting in a literature class. For some reason, we had decided to stop reviewing Beowulf that day and were listening to music. Our teacher made us listen to songs he deemed important to the American musical canon. I remember I was familiar with some of the songs already: Smashing Pumpkins’ “Today,” Gene Chandler’s “Duke of Earl” come to mind.

When “The Weight” began, it was a brand new and mind-blowing sound to my young ears. From the twang of the opening A chord to the gorgeous vocal harmonies and twinkling piano, the song was instantly able to connect with me on an emotional level. From that moment on, I’ve been in love with The Band.

In all times of mourning, it’s best not to remember the person as they are now, but how they once were.

The indelible image of Helm for me will always be his ear-to-ear grin during The Band’s final performance in 1975.

The concert, which featured Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and many more, was immortalized in Martin Scorsese’s documentary/concert film The Last Waltz.

During the concert, The Band rips through a classic songbook, letting the emotion of the performance wash over them.

That’s how I plan on remembering Levon Helm. I hope you’ll do the same.