Drummer Levon Helm dies of cancer aged 71 – a life in pictures

Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Rick Danko of The Band pose for a group portrait in London in June 1971 Photograph: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

Levon Helm attends the 22nd annual WC Handy Awards show in Memphis in 2001 Photograph: Jeff Mitchell/Reuters

Alex Van Halen, Levon Helm, Ringo Starr and Jim Keltner pose in the studio in the early 1990s Photograph: Robert Knight Archive/Redferns

Helm also had a successful sideline career as an actor starring. Here, with Sissy Spacek, Levon Helm, left, and Phyllis Boyen on the porch of their cabin with their kids in a scene from the film Coal Miner's Daughter in 1980 Photograph: Archive Photos/Getty Images

Levon Helm performs with his daughter Amy and the Levon Helm Band during the Shelter From the Storm benefit concert at the Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston, NY Photograph: John DeSanto/AP

Helm, who left The Band in 1976, continued on with a solo career. Here, he performs on stage in 2000 Photograph: Andrew Lepley/Redferns

The Band circa 1971. From left to right: Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Levon Helm Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives

Helm in London in 1971 Photograph: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

The original members of the Southern-style rock combo, (from left) Canadians Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson and American Levon Helm, greet variety show host Ed Sullivan Photograph: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Helm, who grew up working on an Arkansas farm, is known for a soulfully gravelled vocal delivery. Here he is pictured (far left) with The Band in the early 1970s Photograph: Frank Driggs Collection/Getty Images

Helm plays drums with the Levon Helm Band during a Ramble at Helm's barn in Woodstock, NY Photograph: John DeSanto/AP

The Band performs with Bob Dylan in Long Island in January 1974 Photograph: Bettmann/Corbis

Helm in 1976 Photograph: Richard E Aaron/Redferns

Helm on the Imus in the Morning programme in New York Photograph: Richard Drew/AP