Often, televised tributes are used as an excuse to put disparate acts together to add more star wattage. That was not the case with the Levon Helm salute. From Elton John to Zac Brown, Mumford & Sons, Mavis Staples, T Bone Burnett and Alabama Shakes' Brittany Howard, everyone made sense and the love for Helm was evident during the soulful rendition of The Band's "The Weight." Plus, the musicianship was first class.

- Melinda Newman