Levon Helm's home studio, where the roots-rock musician staged his celebrated Midnight Ramble concerts, will be the setting for his memorial on Thursday.

The family of the singer, songwriter and musician, who rose to fame as a member of The Band, have invited fans to pay tribute to Helm in Woodstock, N.Y.

"Levon's friends and fans are invited to pay their final respects on Thursday ... between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at his home studio in Woodstock," the family said in a statement.

"Thank you all for your kindness and respect for privacy during this very emotional time."

The memorial will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time and shuttle buses will be available at three Woodstock locations to convey mourners to Helm's home.

A private funeral will take place on Friday.

Helm, 71, died at a New York cancer centre on April 19, just days after his family revealed he was in the final stages of a long-running battle with cancer.

He was widely praised as the drummer and occasional vocalist in The Band, which also included Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel. Helm's southern-tinged voice was heard on hits like The Weight, W.S. Walcott's Medicine Show and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

After the group broke up in 1976, Helm continued with a successful solo musical career and also took on film roles, including portraying Loretta Lynn's father in Coal Miner's Daughter.

Most recently, he received kudos for his Midnight Ramble concerts, recorded at his Woodstock home studio dubbed The Barn and featuring Helm performing with a series of musical guests.

With files from The Associated Press