Levon's wife and daughter posted this message on his Facebook page a little earlier:

Dear Friends,
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...

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy

I am absolutely heartbroken. I have been crying my eyes out for the past hour... I know he has had an incredible life, but this is just so sad. What a wonderful singer, drummer and all-round musician he is. A true gentleman, too. I was just watching 'The Last Waltz' on DVD today.

On a selfish note, I am gutted that I will never get to see him play live... Attending one of his Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, NY has been on my wishlist for a long time. I naively always thought I'd make it. Thoughts, of course, are with Levon and his family right now.