Fans of The Band star Levon Helm have been asked to pray for the rocker as he struggles through the "final stages" of his cancer battle.
According to a post on his website, Helm is close to death.
The note reads, "Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.
"Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration... He has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage."
Former bandmate Robbie Robertson, who fell out with the drummer after The Band split in the late 1970s, sent "love and prayers" to Helm at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday (14Apr12), prompting speculation about the rocker's health.
Helm was performing live up until last month (Mar12) but then he cancelled a series of shows due to a slipped disc in his back.