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Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges; April 2, 1942 – November 13, 2016) was an American musician and songwriter who was involved with numerous bestselling records during his 60-year career that spanned multiple genres, including
rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...
,
country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...
,
gospel Gospel originally meant the Christianity, Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the second century Anno domino, AD the term (, from which the English word originated as a calque) came to be used also for the books in which the message w ...
, bluegrass,
rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated within African American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predomina ...
,
southern rock Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitars and vocals. History 1950s and 1960s: origin ...
,
blues rock Blues rock is a fusion music genre, genre and form of rock music, rock and blues music that relies on the chords/scales and instrumental improvisation of blues. It is mostly an electric ensemble-style music with instrumentation similar to electri ...
, folk, surf and the Tulsa sound. His recordings earned six
gold record Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...
s and he received two
Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...
from seven nominations. In 1973 ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' named Russell the "Top Concert Attraction in the World." In 2011, he was inducted into both the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), also simply referred to as the Rock Hall, is a museum and hall of fame located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States, on the shore of Lake Erie. The museum documents the history of rock music and the ...
and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Russell collaborated with many notable artists and recorded 33 albums and 430 songs. He wrote "Delta Lady," recorded by
Joe Cocker John Robert "Joe" Cocker (20 May 1944 – 22 December 2014) was an English singer known for his gritty, bluesy voice and dynamic stage performances featuring expressive body movements. Most of his best-known singles, such as "Feelin' Alright ...
, and organized and performed with Cocker's '' Mad Dogs & Englishmen'' tour in 1970. His " A Song for You," which was named to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018, has been recorded by more than 200 artists, and his song " This Masquerade" by more than 75. As a pianist, Russell played in his early years on albums by
the Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American Rock music, rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian Wilson, Brian, Dennis Wilson, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their f ...
,
The Ventures The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band formed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1958, by Don Wilson (musician), Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar acro ...
, Dick Dale, and
Jan and Dean Jan and Dean were an American rock music, rock duo consisting of William Jan Berry (April 3, 1941 – March 26, 2004) and Dean Ormsby Torrence (born March 10, 1940). In the early 1960s, they were pioneers of the California Sound and vocal surf m ...
. On his first album, '' Leon Russell'', in 1970, the musicians included
Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English Rock music, rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s l ...
,
Ringo Starr Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the group, us ...
, and
George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...
. One of his early fans,
Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting impact on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with l ...
, said that Russell was a "mentor" and an "inspiration." They recorded their album '' The Union'' in 2010, earning them a Grammy nomination. Russell produced and played in recording sessions for
Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...
,
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...
,
Ike & Tina Turner Ike & Tina Turner was an American musical duo consisting of husband-and-wife Ike Turner and Tina Turner. From 1960 to 1976, they performed live as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, supported by the Kings of Rhythm and backing vocalists, the Ikettes. ...
,
the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
, and many other artists. He wrote and recorded the hits " Tight Rope" and " Lady Blue." He performed at The Concert for Bangladesh in 1971, along with Harrison, Dylan, and Clapton; for this, he earned a Grammy Award.


Early life and education

Russell was born on April 2, 1942, the second of John Griffith and Hester Evel (née Whaley) Bridges' two sons at Southwestern Hospital in
Lawton, Oklahoma Lawton is a city in and the county seat of Comanche County, Oklahoma, Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in western Oklahoma, approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton metropolitan ar ...
. Russell's mother said that he started talking later than most children. She said while he was "watching the birds, and something was going on with the birds," his first words were "What's the matter, little birdie — you cry?" His mother said she was "shocked, because he never spoke." Russell said he "was born with 'spastic paralysis,' now called
cerebral palsy Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Signs and symptoms vary among people and over time, but include poor coordination, spasticity, stiff muscles, Paresis, weak muscles, and tremors. There may b ...
." An injury at birth damaged his second and third vertebrae, causing a slight paralysis in the right side of his body, most notably affecting three fingers on his right hand which caused Russell to favor his left hand and develop his signature left-hand-dominant piano playing style. He said "My chops have always been sort of weak.... I have damaged nerve endings on the right side, so my piano style comes from designing stuff I can play with my right hand." He said that the condition helped him become "very aware of the duality involved in our plane of existence here." He also had a limp caused by the same condition that was once thought to be due to polio. Russell said, "I felt like the world had cheated me big time" but added, "If I hadn't had the problem, I probably wouldn't have gotten into music at all and would have been an ex-football player, selling insurance in Des Moines." Both of Russell's parents played upright piano, and when he was four years old his mother heard him picking out the melody to "Trust and Obey," a hymn he had heard at church. He then began piano lessons in Anadarko, Oklahoma, a trip each way. While still taking piano lessons, Russell learned the alto
saxophone The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed on a mouthpiece vibrates to p ...
and cornet in his elementary school band. He then learned to play the baritone horn. After impressing the high school band director in Maysville, Russell was invited to join the high school marching band while in the fifth grade. Russell said he learned to fake a classical piano style, saying "I studied classical music for a long time, maybe ten years, and I realized, finally, I was never going to have the hands to play that stuff. It was too complicated. I invented ways to play in a classical style that was not the real deal."


High school

Russell attended Will Rogers High School in
Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa ( ) is the List of municipalities in Oklahoma, second-most-populous city in the U.S. state, state of Oklahoma, after Oklahoma City, and the List of United States cities by population, 48th-most-populous city in the United States. The po ...
. His classmates included Elvin Bishop, Anita Bryant, and
David Gates David Ashworth Gates (born December 11, 1940) is a retired American singer-songwriter, guitarist, musician and producer, frontman and co-lead singer (with Jimmy Griffin) of the group Bread (band), Bread, which reached the top of the musical ch ...
. Russell's first record appearance was in 1957 age 15 years old, when he played piano on "Jo-Baby," a song written by 16-year-old Gates. Originally attributed to "The Accents," it was released on the Tulsa-based Perspective Sound label and then re-released a year later and distributed nationally by Marty Robbins on his Robbins Records record label under the band name "David Gates & The Accents." Russell collaborated later with Gates after high school in the band The Fencemen. Russell credited his awareness of the precursors of American soul music to a homemade AM crystal radio. He was offered a chance to tour with
Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as "rock 'n' roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis m ...
after graduating. Explaining his decision to not attend college, Russell said, "I figured this was my chance to eat in a lot of restaurants and travel around, play some rock and roll music, which I decided was easier and better." Performing while underage in clubs and bars, Russell assumed the name "Leon Russell" from a fake ID he used to enter clubs even though he was a high school student. At the time, Oklahoma was a "dry" state, so teenagers were able to perform in clubs that ordinarily would have only been open to those over 21 years of age. Although still in high school, Russell performed at area supper clubs, bars and nightclubs with his group "The Starlighters" (Russell, J.J. Cale, Leo Feathers, Johnny Williams, and Chuck Blackwell). Blackwell said that Russell was "especially good at playing Erroll Garner-style jazz during dinner, but then, after everybody got through eating, he'd break into
Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as "rock 'n' roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis m ...
." Russell also backed groups in Tulsa including Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks, often until early morning, after having worked through the night. Russell said "I worked six or seven nights a week till I left Tulsa at 17. I'd work 6 to 11 (pm) at a beer joint, then 1 to 5 (am) at an after-hours club. It was a hard schedule to do when going to school. I slept in English a lot."


Los Angeles

Russell said "I got out to California, and they were more serious about their liquor laws. I about starved to death because it was so much harder to find work at my age." Settling in
Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
, he studied guitar with James Burton. Russell was primarily a session musician in his early career. During session work he played for and with artists as varied as
Jan and Dean Jan and Dean were an American rock music, rock duo consisting of William Jan Berry (April 3, 1941 – March 26, 2004) and Dean Ormsby Torrence (born March 10, 1940). In the early 1960s, they were pioneers of the California Sound and vocal surf m ...
,
Ricky Nelson Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985) was an American musician and actor. From age eight, he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet''. In 1957, he began a ...
, Gary Lewis & the Playboys,
George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...
,
Delaney Bramlett Delaine Alvin "Delaney" Bramlett (July 1, 1939 – December 27, 2008) was an American singer and guitarist. He was best known for his musical partnership with his wife Bonnie Bramlett in the band Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, which included a ...
,
Freddy Cannon Frederick Anthony Picariello, Jr. (born December 4, 1936), better known by his stage name Freddy Cannon, is an American rock and roll singing, singer. His biggest international hits included "Tallahassee Lassie", "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans", ...
,
Ringo Starr Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the group, us ...
,
Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress and singer. She began her career as a big band singer in 1937, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, "Sentimental Journey ...
,
Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting impact on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with l ...
,
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Gen ...
,
Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English Rock music, rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s l ...
,
the Byrds The Byrds () were an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) being the so ...
,
Barbra Streisand Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand ( ; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress, songwriter, producer, and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success across multiple fields of entertainment, being the ...
,
the Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American Rock music, rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian Wilson, Brian, Dennis Wilson, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their f ...
,
the Ventures The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band formed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1958, by Don Wilson (musician), Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar acro ...
,
Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...
,
Badfinger Badfinger were a Welsh rock music, rock band formed in Swansea in 1961. Their best-known lineup consisted of Pete Ham (guitar), Mike Gibbins (drums), Tom Evans (musician), Tom Evans (bass), and Joey Molland (guitar). They are recognised for th ...
, the Tijuana Brass,
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...
, the Band,
Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...
,
J. J. Cale John Weldon "J. J." Cale (December 5, 1938 – July 26, 2013) was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Though he avoided the limelight, his influence as a musical artist has been acknowledged by figures such as Neil Young, Mark Knopf ...
, B.B. King, Dave Mason,
Glen Campbell Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American country musician and actor. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting ''The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour'' on CBS television from ...
, Lynn Anderson,
Joe Cocker John Robert "Joe" Cocker (20 May 1944 – 22 December 2014) was an English singer known for his gritty, bluesy voice and dynamic stage performances featuring expressive body movements. Most of his best-known singles, such as "Feelin' Alright ...
,
the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...
, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. As Russell developed his solo artist career, he crossed genres to include
rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...
,
blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
, bluegrass, and
gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music vary according to culture and social context. Gospel music is compo ...
.


1960s - Session musician, solo artist, and record executive

In Los Angeles, Russell played as a studio musician on many of the popular songs of the 1960s, including
The Byrds The Byrds () were an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) being the so ...
, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Bobby Pickett, and
Herb Alpert Herb Alpert (born March 31, 1935) is an American trumpeter, pianist, singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, conductor, painter, sculptor and theatre producer, who led the band Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (sometimes called "Herb Alpe ...
. He played piano on
Phil Spector Harvey Phillip Spector (December 26, 1939 – January 16, 2021) was an American record producer and songwriter who is best known for pioneering recording practices in the 1960s, followed by his trials and conviction for murder in the 2000s. S ...
productions including recordings by the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Darlene Love and in the 1963 ''
A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector ''A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records'' (later renamed ''A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector'', also known as ''Phil Spector's Christmas Album'') is an LP album, album of Christmas songs, produced by Phil Spector, originally rele ...
'' album. Alpert said of Russell, "Leon was on several sessions that I produced with the Tijuana Brass. He was always dressed in a suit and tie, with short hair and no beard! This was soon after he arrived in Los Angeles from Oklahoma. We would go through the same routine each time I started rehearsing the music. He would sit at the piano and he would always say, 'I don’t know what to play'. And I would say, 'Just wait and see if you feel something, and if you don’t it’s okay. I just like your energy at the sessions.' Well, he would always chime in with something special and affect the groove in a very Leon Russell way that was always unique. Leon was a wonderful musician and had a major effect on all of my recordings. His touch can be heard on many Tijuana Brass records, including "Whipped Cream" and "A Taste of Honey." To top it off, Leon was a true gentleman with a special talent and he was a person that I had a great feeling for." In 1962 Russell played piano on Walter Brennan's lp ''Old Rivers'', produced by Snuff Garrett. Garrett said "I could talk style with him (Russell) and he'd do it. I'd name a record. I'd go, 'I like the piano on this...and he'd go, 'Okay', and do the piano part.... I fell in love with his playing." Credited as Russell Bridges, he contributed to the Canadian Sweethearts' ( Bob Regan and Lucille Starr) first A&M Records recording session with Dorsey Burnette in 1963. The lp ''Introducing The Canadian Sweethearts'' was released in 1964. Glen Campbell's 1967 album '' Gentle on My Mind'' credited him as Russell Bridges on piano.


Early media appearances

In 1962 a 20 year-old Russell appeared on Los Angeles TV station KCOP leading The Leon Russell Trio on the rock 'n' roll show ''Stepping Out''. Airing at 11:00 at night, the live broadcast often aired multiple times per week. He was in the 1964 concert film '' T.A.M.I. Show'' playing piano with the Wrecking Crew sporting short, dark, slicked-back hair, in contrast to his later look.


Early recordings

In 1962 a 20 year-old Russell once again collaborated with David Gates, releasing the 45 rpm single "Sad September / Tryin’ To Be Someone" which featured session guitarist James Burton. Credited to David & Lee and later to Dave & Lee, the record was produced by Gary Paxton and first released on Paxton's G.S.P. Records label.


Composer

In the mid-1960s, he wrote or co-wrote songs, including two hits for Gary Lewis and the Playboys: " Everybody Loves a Clown" (which reached the ''Billboard'' Top 40 on October 9, 1965, remaining on the chart for eight weeks and reaching number 4) and " She's Just My Style" (which entered the ''Billboard'' Top 40 on December 18, 1965, and rose to number 3).


Hired by Snuff Garrett

Russell was hired by Snuff Garrett and together they formed a production company, Snuff Garrett Productions in 1964. Russell was a production assistant, arranger and creative developer for the company. Russell played on many number-one singles, including " This Diamond Ring" by Gary Lewis & the Playboys. Russell also acted as Garrett's arranger and conductor of the Midnight String Quartet's debut album ''Rhapsodies For Young Lovers''. The album was planned as a solo Leon Russell lp, but was instead marketed as a Midnight String Quartet production. Russell and
Al Capps Allan Alfonzo Capps (April 26, 1939 – June 7, 2018) was an American record producer, arranger, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist. Beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, he produced and arranged albums for popular artists such as Cher, A ...
arranged Brian Hyland's 1966 single " The Joker Went Wild," written by Bobby Russell (no relation to Leon). Russell also played xylophone and bells on the record. Jason Ankeny of
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
said "Russell's evocative arrangements lend 'The Joker Went Wild' much of its appeal, however, channeling the lessons of Phil Spector and Brian Wilson to create rich, bold pop far greater than the sum of its parts." The track reached #20 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Two years later, Garrett and Russell started Viva Records. Russell was the record label's initial A&R representative as well as producer for many of the label's recordings, including The Shindogs' 1966 "Who Do You Think You Are / Yes, I’m Going Home" (Viva V-601). Viva Records also had a number of music publishing divisions. In 1969, it was reported Russell had been the vice-president of Viva. Russell said the music he created while collaborating with Garrett motivated him to leave. "That wasn't my cup of tea...it wasn't the kind of thing I liked. I was anxious to not do that very much anymore, it just seemed too fluffy."


The Shindogs

Russell was an arranger and songwriter as well as a piano and guitar player in The Shindogs, the house band on the ABC-TV dance show series '' Shindig!'' Fellow musicians
Glen Campbell Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American country musician and actor. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting ''The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour'' on CBS television from ...
,
Delaney Bramlett Delaine Alvin "Delaney" Bramlett (July 1, 1939 – December 27, 2008) was an American singer and guitarist. He was best known for his musical partnership with his wife Bonnie Bramlett in the band Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, which included a ...
, and
Billy Preston William Everett Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter whose work encompassed R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, backing Little Richa ...
were among the Shindogs' alumni.


Released first solo record

Russell released his first solo record, the single, "Everybody's Talking 'Bout the Young," for Dot Records in 1965. Produced by Russell and Snuff Garrett, the folk-rock, anti-Vietnam war protest song was co-written by Russell, T. Lesslie (Snuff Garrett) and J. J. Cale.


Skyhill Studios

In 1965 Russell built his first recording studio, Skyhill Studios inside his 2,900 sq. ft., 4 bedroom home at 7709 Skyhill Drive in the Hollywood Hills. Russell had seen and worked in similar home recording studios owned by
Les Paul Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009), known as Les Paul, was an American jazz guitarist, jazz, country guitarist, country, and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier, and inventor. He was one of the pioneers of the solid body ...
, Ernie Kovacs and others. He hired fellow Tulsan J.J. Cale as his in-home studio manager. Cale said "the neighbors thought the Hell’s Angels lived at Skyhill because of all the cars, motorcycles, and loud music at all hours of the day and night." Russell and his friends referred to the studio as "the home for unwed musicians." Russell's recording studio home featured sound proofing, double walls and extensive wiring. Different rooms throughout the house were used to record various instruments, with a bathroom dedicated for use as an echo-chamber. The first recording session in the studio was an August 1965
Glen Campbell Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American country musician and actor. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting ''The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour'' on CBS television from ...
session. Russell’s Skyhill Studios was often used by up-and-coming artists to record demos to attract recording companies' attention.


Hired by Lenny Waronker

Russell was hired as an arranger and producer in 1967 by Lenny Waronker, then a junior A&R representative for the Reprise and Warner Bros. record labels. Russell's early work for Waronker included arranging and producing Harpers Bizarre's 1967 debut album '' Feelin' Groovy'' which featured a cover of "
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" is a song by folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon and originally released on their 1966 album ''Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme''. ''Cash Box'' called it a "sparkling, spirited li ...
." Russell also played piano on the track. Russell also co-produced and arranged recordings by Canadian folk-rock singer Tom Northcott, including a cover version of
Donovan Donovan Phillips Leitch (born 10 May 1946), known mononymously as Donovan, is a Scottish musician, songwriter and record producer. He emerged from the British folk scene in early 1965 and subsequently scored multiple international hit singles ...
's "Sunny Goodge Street."


The Asylum Choir

In 1968 Russell formed The Asylum Choir, a two-man group with Marc Benno. Benno, a Texan, sang and played guitar and bass. Russell sang and played guitar, piano, and drums. The duo had met in LA. Their twenty-six minute long LP '' Look Inside the Asylum Choir'' was released on Smash Records.


Shelter Records

Russell and music producer Denny Cordell established Shelter Records in 1969. The company operated from 1969 to 1981, with offices in Los Angeles and Tulsa. Shelter Records released "Duppy Conqueror," reggae artist
Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, he fused elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady and was renowned for his distinctive voca ...
's first American single. In 1972,
DC Comics DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...
sued the record label for copyright infringement. The Shelter Records logo included an upside down version of the well-known
Superman Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...
logo. Shelter Records obscured the logo with an overstamped black rectangle in response to the lawsuit and later settlement. Later versions of the logo replaced the Superman artwork with a scrawled letter "S" inside an outline of an egg.


Delaney & Bonnie

Russell performed as a member of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends in 1969 and 1970, playing guitar and keyboards on their albums and as part of the touring band. Through this group, he met
George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...
and others with whom he would work over the next couple of years.


''Joe Cocker!'' LP

Russell was the co-producer, arranger, a songwriter and performer on Joe Cocker’s 1969 LP '' Joe Cocker!'' Russell wrote the song "Delta Lady" on the album. The album reached number 11 on the ''Billboard'' 200.


1970s - "Superstar" status


''Mad Dogs & Englishmen'' tour and album

In March 1970 Russell was hired by Joe Cocker to help quickly mount a concert band and rehearse a 48 date tour. Cocker said he had been told by United States immigration authorities he had to perform "right away" or lose his visa and be deported from the US. Rita Coolidge claimed the real reason was due to threats that Cocker would be physically harmed if he didn't comply with demands to tour. Russell had only a week to locate, audition, hire and rehearse a 10-piece band and the Space Choir which would consist of ten backup singers. Russell said Cocker, reportedly using copious illicit drugs at the time, "was pretty wrecked when we started out." Asking Cocker "Does it sound good to you?" during an audition, Cocker said, "It never sounds right to me." I didn’t know how to take that. So I said, 'Shit, I’ll just do whatever I want.'" Russell hired many of the musicians from Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett's band. He both conducted and performed in the tour, playing either piano or lead guitar. Singer and former Ikette Claudia Lennear, who performed during the tour, said Russell had the unique musical talent of being able to fuse together "white gospel and Black gospel." After watching the ''Mad Dogs & Englishmen'' concert film,
Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting impact on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with l ...
said of Russell, "There are some people who are born to be leaders of musicians and he is. It was Leon I was watching. He had the feel for that music. Joe was an amazing singer. But you could tell it was Leon's band." Russell purchased the top hat and Holy Trinity basketball jersey shirt he wore on the tour at a used clothing store near his Skyhill Studios in Los Angeles. He explained "I’m an actor - I was just trying to make a show."


''Leon Russell'' (solo album)

Russell released his 1970 solo album, '' Leon Russell'' on his Shelter Records label during the Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. The album, recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in Los Angeles featured a number of guest vocalists and musicians, including Marc Benno, Bonnie Bramlett,
Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English Rock music, rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s l ...
, Merry Clayton, Joe Cocker, Greg Dempsey,
George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Culture ...
,
Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English musician. He is known as the lead singer and one of the founder members of The Rolling Stones. Jagger has co-written most of the band's songs with lead guitarist Keith Richards; Jagge ...
, Keith Richards, Chris Stainton, and
Ringo Starr Sir Richard Starkey (born 7 July 1940), known professionally as Ringo Starr, is an English musician, songwriter and actor who achieved international fame as the drummer for the Beatles. Starr occasionally sang lead vocals with the group, us ...
. The album included two Russell compositions that have become best-selling standards, " A Song for You" and "Delta Lady."


"A Song For You"

Russell explained how he wrote "A Song for You," saying "I was in my studio in Hollywood and actually I was trying to write a standard. I was trying to write a blues song that Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles both could sing.... I wrote it in 10 minutes. It was for a specific occasion. And I went in there and wrote it very quickly...that happens sometimes. Sometimes they're very quick. It's almost as if one is not writing them, you know? Like they're coming from another place." "A Song for You" has become one of Russell's best-known songs, with versions released by more than 40 different artists, including Elkie Brooks,
The Carpenters The Carpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo consisting of siblings Karen Carpenter, Karen (1950–1983) and Richard Carpenter (musician), Richard Carpenter (born 1946). They produced a distinctive soft musical style, combining ...
,
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Gen ...
, Billy Eckstine,
Donny Hathaway Donny Edward Hathaway (October 1, 1945 – January 13, 1979) was an American soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter, backing vocalist, and arranger who ''Rolling Stone'' described as a "soul legend". His most popular songs include " The Ghetto" ...
,
Peggy Lee Norma Deloris Egstrom (May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002), known professionally as Peggy Lee, was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, and actress whose career spanned seven decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local r ...
, Carmen McRae,
Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...
, Freda Payne,
Helen Reddy Helen Maxine Reddy (25 October 194129 September 2020) was an Australian-American singer, actress, television host, and activist. Born in Melbourne to a show business family, Reddy started her career as an entertainer at age four. She sang on ra ...
, and The Temptations. Both the Carpenters and The Temptations named an album after the song.
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Gen ...
' version earned him the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. "A Song For You" was inducted into Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2018.


"Delta Lady"

Russell's "Delta Lady" was first released in 1969 on ''The Mad Dogs & Englishmen'' LP, performed by Joe Cocker. Cocker's version changes Russell's original lyric from "I'm over here in England" to "when I'm home again in England" as Cocker was British. Bobbie Gentry performed the song under the title "Delta Man" on her 1970 album ''
Fancy Fancy may refer to: Music Albums * ''Fancy'' (Bobbie Gentry album), 1970 * ''Fancy'' (Idiot Flesh album), 1997 * ''Fancy'' (video), a 2007 video album by Les Claypool Songs * "Fancy" (Bobbie Gentry song), 1969, covered by Reba McEntire in 19 ...
''.


1970s recordings and concerts

In 1970, Russell played piano on Dave Mason's album '' Alone Together'', notably on the song "Sad and Deep as You." The song "The Letter" performed by Joe Cocker with Leon Russell & the Shelter People peaked at #7 on the Hot 100 on May 30, 1970; this was Russell's first hit song. In November 1970, Russell performed at the
Fillmore East The Fillmore East was Promoter (entertainment), rock promoter Bill Graham (promoter), Bill Graham's rock venue on Second Avenue (Manhattan), Second Avenue near 6th Street (Manhattan), East 6th Street on the Lower East Side section of Manhattan, ...
, with Elton John on the same bill. Those performances have been bootlegged. Russell and John appeared on ''The David Frost Show'' with Fillmore owner Bill Graham on December 3, 1970. Russell's album ''Prince of Peace: Radio Broadcast 1970'' is a soundboard recording of a concert at Fillmore East in late 1970. Leon Russell and Friends recorded the ''Homewood Sessions'', broadcast as an "unscripted and unrehearsed" one-hour TV special on
KCET KCET (channel 28) is a secondary PBS member television station in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is owned by the Public Media Group of Southern California alongside the market's primary PBS member, Huntington Beach–licensed KOC ...
(Los Angeles) that aired in December 1970 and was later re-broadcast several times on PBS. Also in December 1970, ''
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...
'' magazine carried an interview with Russell. It opened with a characterization of his sound as "those driving, lurchy, churchy rock and roll songs." Russell produced some tracks for Bob Dylan in March 1971 when Dylan was experimenting with his new sound. The sessions produced the single " Watching the River Flow" and " When I Paint My Masterpiece," both of which prominently featured Russell's gospel-flavored piano. At the invitation of George Harrison, Russell played piano on
Badfinger Badfinger were a Welsh rock music, rock band formed in Swansea in 1961. Their best-known lineup consisted of Pete Ham (guitar), Mike Gibbins (drums), Tom Evans (musician), Tom Evans (bass), and Joey Molland (guitar). They are recognised for th ...
's third album, '' Straight Up'' in the summer of 1971. Russell performed piano, vocals, bass and backing vocals at the two shows of the war-refugees' benefit ( Concert for Bangladesh) on August 1, 1971. He was featured performing a medley of the songs " Jumpin' Jack Flash" and " Young Blood" and singing a verse on Harrison's " Beware of Darkness." Bob Dylan surprised Russell by asking him to play bass for some of Dylan's portion of the concert; Russell and Harrison sang harmonies on the chorus of " Just Like a Woman." '' The Concert for Bangladesh'' benefit album released in late 1971 was a major critical and commercial success. The release topped album charts in several countries, and went on to win the
Grammy Award for Album of the Year The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is an award presented by the The Recording Academy, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the r ...
in March 1973. The concert also became a concert benefit film directed by Saul Swimmer and released in the spring of 1972. In 1971, Shelter Records released '' Leon Russell and the Shelter People'' and '' Asylum Choir II'' (co-produced by Marc Benno) and recorded at Russell's Skyhill Studios. ''Leon Russell and the Shelter People'' went on to be Russell's first U.S. gold album. In the same year, Russell played on recording sessions with B. B. King, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan. Russell helped the blues guitarist Freddie King revive his career by collaborating on three of King's albums for Shelter Records during the early 1970s. During those same years, Russell profited from what was then called the "country and western" market by recording and performing under the moniker Hank Wilson, and was a regular performer at Gilley's Club, a honkytonk in Pasadena, Texas, made famous by the film '' Urban Cowboy''. Russell recorded the song "Get a Line on You" at
Olympic Studios Olympic Studios was a British independent recording studio based on Church Road, Barnes, Church Road, Barnes, London, Barnes, London. It is best known for its recordings of many artists throughout the late 1960s to the first decade of the 21st ...
in October 1969, with contributions from Mick Jagger (lead vocal), Ringo Starr (drums), and probably also Bill Wyman (bass) and Mick Taylor (guitar). It was shelved until 1993, when it was issued as a bonus track on the 24K gold re-release by DCC Compact Classics (DCC Compact Classics GZS 1049). The Rolling Stones included the song, under the title " Shine a Light" on their 1972 album '' Exile on Main St.''. In 1972, Russell did a concert tour with his Shelter People entourage. One performance was recorded in California at the Long Beach Arena on August 28, 1972, and was released as a three-record set in 1973 as '' Leon Live''. It became his third U.S. gold album. In November 1972, ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' cited Russell as a top concert draw and reported the 1972 tour gross at almost $3 million. Also in 1972, he released his ''Carney'' album, which was his third solo studio album. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. The album featured " Tight Rope" and " This Masquerade" (songs released on a 45 as the A side and B side respectively), and became his second gold album. '' Looking Back'' was released by Russell on Olympic Records in 1973, shortly after the success of his single "Tight Rope." It contains instrumental tracks recorded in the mid-1960s, featuring Russell playing the harpsichord. In 1975 Russell released '' Live In Japan'' on Shelter Records. The album was recorded live at Budokan Hall, in Tokyo, on November 8, 1973. Russell made it into the 1975
Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is a list of the 40 currently most popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "To ...
with "Lady Blue," from his album '' Will o' the Wisp''. It was his fourth gold album.
Helen Reddy Helen Maxine Reddy (25 October 194129 September 2020) was an Australian-American singer, actress, television host, and activist. Born in Melbourne to a show business family, Reddy started her career as an entertainer at age four. She sang on ra ...
recorded Russell's song "Bluebird" as a single and on her 1975 album '' No Way to Treat a Lady''.(2006) CD booklet with Helen Reddy, ''The Woman I Am: The Definitive Collection''. Los Angeles: Capitol Records 09463-57613-2-0. The song debuted on the ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' Hot 100 in the July 5 issue of the magazine and eventually peaked at number 35. That same issue also marked its debut on the magazine's
Easy Listening Easy listening (including mood music) is a popular music genre and radio format that was most popular during the 1950s to the 1970s. It is related to middle of the road (MOR) music and encompasses instrumental recordings of standards, hit s ...
chart, where it spent eight weeks and peaked at number 5; on the '' RPM'' singles chart it reached number 51. Reddy said, "I love Leon Russell's writing and I love this song. It was an integral part of my repertoire for nearly 30 years, and I never tired of singing it."


"This Masquerade"

Russell's song "This Masquerade," the B-side of his 1972 hit single "Tight Rope" was later recorded by many artists, including Reddy and the Carpenters. George Benson's version of the song reached number 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and won
Record of the Year The Grammy Award for Record of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without re ...
at the 1977 Grammy Awards. As the songwriter, Russell was nominated for Song of the Year in 1977 but lost to Bruce Johnston, who wrote " I Write the Songs." Russell's version of "This Masquerade" was used for the soundtrack for the psychological thriller film '' Bug'', which was directed by
William Friedkin William David Friedkin (; August 29, 1935 – August 7, 2023) was an American film, television and opera director, producer, and screenwriter who was closely identified with the "New Hollywood" movement of the 1970s. Beginning his career in doc ...
. The ''Bug'' soundtrack was released on May 22, 2007. The song was also used in the movie '' The Pursuit of Happyness''.


''A Star Is Born''

In 1976, Russell and
Barbra Streisand Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand ( ; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress, songwriter, producer, and director. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success across multiple fields of entertainment, being the ...
wrote the song "Lost Inside of You" for the film soundtrack of '' A Star Is Born''. During a songwriting session at her house, Streisand began playing an original composition on her piano, and Russell was inspired to hum a countermelody which surprised and impressed Streisand. The interplay between the two songwriters was fictionalized for a scene in the film showing Streisand and
Kris Kristofferson Kristoffer Kristofferson (June 22, 1936 – September 28, 2024) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was a pioneering figure in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, moving away from the polished Nashville sound and toward a m ...
writing the song together. The ''A Star Is Born'' soundtrack received a Grammy Nomination for Best Album of Original Score written for a Motion Picture or Television Special. In 1976, Russell released the '' Wedding Album'', a studio album with his then wife, Mary Russell, otherwise known as Mary McCreary. It was the first release by Paradise Records, and it was distributed by Rhino/ Warner Bros. Records. Leon and Mary were the album producers, except for the final track "Daylight," which was produced by its writer, Bobby Womack. On May 15, 1976, Leon and Mary performed "Satisfy You" and "
Daylight Daylight is the combination of all direct and indirect sunlight during the daytime. This includes direct sunlight, diffuse sky radiation, and (often) both of these reflected by Earth and terrestrial objects, like landforms and buildings. Sunlig ...
" with John Belushi impersonating Joe Cocker on
Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (''SNL'') is an American Late night television in the United States, late-night live television, live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC. The ...
. '' Make Love to the Music'' is the second album by Leon & Mary Russell released in 1977 on Paradise Records. In 1978, Russell released his '' Americana'' album on the Warner Bros. label. After touring with Willie Nelson, Russell and Nelson in 1979 had a #1 hit on ''Billboard''s
country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...
chart with their duet of " Heartbreak Hotel." This single was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1979 Grammy Awards (presented on February 27, 1980), with the award going to the
Charlie Daniels Band Charles Edward Daniels (October 28, 1936 – July 6, 2020) was an American singer, musician, and songwriter. His music fused rock music, rock, country music, country, blues and jazz, and was a pioneering contribution to Southern rock and p ...
for " The Devil Went Down to Georgia." They also released their duet country pop-rock studio album, '' One for the Road'', that year. It was Russell's fifth gold album. The album was nominated for 1979's Album of the Year awarded by the
Country Music Association The Country Music Association (CMA) is an American trade association with the stated aim of promoting and developing country music throughout the world. Founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee, it originally consisted of 233 members and was the f ...
, which went to
Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (born Kenneth Donald Rogers) (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer and songwriter. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particul ...
for '' The Gambler''. The track " I Saw the Light" was nominated for Best Inspirational Performance at the 1979 Grammy Awards, which instead went to B. J. Thomas for his album '' You Gave Me Love (When Nobody Gave Me A Prayer)''. Russell released '' Life And Love'', an album on Paradise Records, in 1979. ''Life and Love'' has country, rock, and blues songs which hark back to his work in the early 1970s.


Building The Church Studio

Russell purchased multiple properties in the early 1970s in his home state of Oklahoma, including the historic The Church Studio in 1972 located on the corner of 3rd Street and Trenton in
Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa ( ) is the List of municipalities in Oklahoma, second-most-populous city in the U.S. state, state of Oklahoma, after Oklahoma City, and the List of United States cities by population, 48th-most-populous city in the United States. The po ...
. The Church was also home to Shelter Records. Many musicians recorded at The Church including
Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...
,
Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English Rock music, rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s l ...
, Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Twilley, Dr. John, JJ Cale,
the Gap Band The Gap Band was an American Contemporary R&B, R&B and funk band that rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s. The band consisted of three brothers: Charlie Wilson (musician), Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson, along with other members; it wa ...
, Freddie King, Phoebe Snow, and
Peter Tosh Winston Hubert McIntosh (19 October 1944 – 11 September 1987), professionally known as Peter Tosh, was a Jamaican reggae musician. Along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, he was one of the core members of the band Bob Marley and the Wa ...
.
Tom Petty Thomas Earl Petty (October 20, 1950October 2, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was the leader and frontman of the Rock music, rock bands Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch and a member of the late 1980s sup ...
, with his early band Mudcrutch, signed his first record deal with Shelter Records there.


''A Poem Is a Naked Person''

In 1972, after viewing Les Blank's film, ''The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins'', Russell and Cordell hired Blank to film a documentary of the activities at the Shelter Records studio in Russell's compound at the Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Oklahoma. Blank shot film footage for two years. Russell didn't care for the finished film and during the breakup of Shelter Records, traded his forgiveness of some of Cordell's loans in exchange for full ownership of the film. Russell would not allow the finished film to be shown, saying "This film will never be seen in public." 40 years later, a Disney movie changed Russell's mind. He explained "After Les Blank died, his son, Harrod, came to see me, offering to recut the film and also digitize it to enhance the quality. Plus, I had recently seen a Disney movie, '' Saving Mr. Banks''. After watching that, I realized sometimes we just say no to be just saying no, and I realized I was being selfish about it." Harrod Blank remastered and released the film, editing out 14 minutes of the original film. Russell said to Harrod Blank "I don’t know how you did it but this is so much better than what I remembered."


"Hank Wilson" persona

In 1973 Russell created the fictional musical personality Hank Wilson, and recorded the album '' Hank Wilson's Back Vol. I'' at producer Owen Bradley's Bradley's Barn studio in Nashville. He said "'Hank Wilson' came about on a road trip. I was bringing a car back from L.A., and I stopped at a truck stop that had about 500 country tapes for sale. I bought a bunch and listened to them on the way home (to Tulsa). I don't really listen to records very much, except for research. I liked some of that stuff, though, and thought it would be fun to do a record like that." The album reached #28 on the ''Billboard'' chart in 1973. The first track, " Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms," was a minor hit. In 2010, a BBC review called the album "one of the most joyful sidebars of his career...a deeply entertaining album that, like all great country, turns melancholy and gloom into melody and dancing."


The Gap Band

Russell helped the Gap Band, a trio of Tulsa brothers, kick off their chart success in 1974. The group went on to produce several funk-disco hits. The Gap Band backed Russell on his album '' Stop All That Jazz''.


Helped develop Linn drum machines

As a teenager, Roger Linn played guitar in Russell's band. In 1977 Linn created the first programmable
drum machine A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument that creates percussion sounds, drum beats, and patterns. Drum machines may imitate drum kits or other percussion instruments, or produce unique sounds, such as synthesized electronic tones. A d ...
that used actual drum beat samples. Russell suggested that Linn also add longer-length loops as well as sampled hand claps, explaining a recording session that included clapping quickly becomes a burden for performers during multiple takes. Russell used Linn's drum machine for all of the percussion on his ''Life and Love'' album. In 1984 Linn created the pressure sensitive Linn9000 drum machine and credited Russell with the inspiration to add "sloppy" or shuffle timing. Linn said, "It was Leon who taught me about swing timing, which he called 'shuffle'. He explained that one of the big factors in a drummer’s feel was the degree of shuffle timing in his playing.... I added the code to delay—by a variable amount.... This allowed me to dial in the exact groove I wanted."


Paradise Records

Russell departed Shelter Records in 1976 to start his own record label, Paradise Records.


Paradise Studios

Russell built and owned Paradise Studios in
Burbank, California Burbank is a city in the southeastern end of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Burbank had a Census-estimated population of 102,755 as of 2023. The city was ...
; the
recording studio A recording studio is a specialized facility for Sound recording and reproduction, recording and Audio mixing, mixing of instrumental or vocal musical performances, spoken words, and other sounds. They range in size from a small in-home proje ...
had two audio
sound stage A sound stage (also written soundstage) is a large, soundproof structure, building or room with large doors and high ceilings, used for the production of theatrical film-making and television productions, usually located on a secured movie or te ...
s and a television production stage. The studio complex also had a mobile audio recording bus and a remote television production bus which supported the stages or could travel. Paradise Records was headquartered at the studio. The studio aired a weekly live television music show '' New Wave Theatre'' shown on the USA cable network. The studio was used to make music videos for
James Taylor James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A six-time Grammy Award winner, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Taylor achieved his breakthrough in 1970 with the single "Fi ...
and Randy Meisner and also long format videos for Willie Nelson, J.J. Cale, Bonnie Raitt, and Russell.


1980s - Concert tours


ABC Network "We Belong Together" campaign

Russell and
Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Honored as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Soul", she was twice named by ''Rolling Stone'' magazine as the Roll ...
were the singers on the ABC Television Network 1985-1986 Fall promotional campaign. The three and a half minute song "We Belong Together" was written by Brock Walsh. The commercial first aired on July 6, 1986.


1980s recordings and concerts

Russell toured with the New Grass Revival in 1980 and 1981, releasing two more albums with Paradise Records before the label folded. On May 1, 1982, Russell played at Joe Ely's Third Annual Tornado Jam in
Lubbock, Texas Lubbock ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Lubbock County. With a population of 272,086 in 2024, Lubbock is the 10th-most populous city in Texas and the 84th-most populous in the United States. The city is in the ...
to a crowd of 25,000. The Jam included Joan Jett and the Crickets. On May 15, 1980, Russell joined with New Grass Revival to record a live album at Perkins Palace in
Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commerci ...
, released in 1981 as '' The Live Album (Leon Russell and New Grass Revival)''. In 1982, Russell played piano and percussion on New Grass Revival's ''
Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...
'' album. Continuing with a country theme he made a second Hank Wilson album, '' Hank Wilson, Vol. II'' released in 1984, Hank Wilson being Russell's self-styled country music alter-ego since the early 1970s. It was released on Leon Russell Records. Russell released a country blues album, recorded in
Hendersonville, Tennessee Hendersonville is the most populous city in Sumner County, Tennessee, on Old Hickory Lake. As of the 2020 census the city's population was 61,753. Hendersonville is the fourth-most populous city in the Nashville metropolitan area after Nas ...
at his Paradise Studios, called '' Solid State''. It was released by Paradise Music in 1984. In 1985, Russell toured the United States. He released the compilation album ''Best of Leon Russell: A Song for You''. In 1988 and 1989 Edgar Winter and Russell went on a tour of the United States and Canada. Winter is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. In 2002 the DVD ''Edgar Winter – Live on Stage, Featuring Leon Russell'' was released.


1990s - 2000s - recording and touring

Russell released ''Delta Lady'' on Del Rack Records in 1991. Many of the songs are remixes of early recordings. He released a new album '' Anything Can Happen'' recorded at Paradise Studios, released on
Virgin Records Virgin Records is a British record label owned by Universal Music Group. They were originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), ...
in 1991. Pianist Bruce Hornsby produced this comeback album. During the late 1980s and early 1990s Hornsby worked extensively as a producer and sideman with Russell. In 1993, Paradise Records released the ''Leon Russell 24k Gold Disc'' album. It was a remix of recordings done at Olympic Sound in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
in 1969. Russell started Leon Russell Records, an
independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small and medium-sized enterprise, small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels ...
, in 1995. Russell released his ''Hymns of Christmas'' album with ten instrumental hymns by Leon Russell Piano and Orchestra on Leon Russell Records in 1995. Capitol/EMI Records in 1996 released the album ''Gimme Shelter! The Best of Leon Russell'', a two-CD album set with 40 tracks covering 1969–1992. Capitol/Right Stuff Records released in 1997 the album ''Retrospective'', an album with Russell's 18 all-time best-selling songs. Russell released a new album under his country artist name Hank Wilson, '' Legend in My Time: Hank Wilson Vol. III'', on Ark 21 Records, in 1998 . Russell released '' Face in the Crowd'' in 1999, a blues album on Sagestone Entertainment Records. '' Blues: Same Old Song'' CD was released on Paradise Records in 1999. In 2000, Russell and Q Records released '' Live at Gilley's'', a performance from September 17, 1981, at Gilley's Club. Also in 2000, Leon Russell Records released the rock album ''Crazy Love'' on CD. In 2001, Russell teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Matt Harris to make the latter's album ''Slightly Elliptical Orbit''. They wrote 10 songs for the 12-track album, and Russell sang on the "This Train" track. The album was released in 2002 on Leon Russell Records. ''Signature Songs'' was released in 2001 on Leon Russell Records. It has Russell playing his top songs from his career. It was re-released in 2007 by MRI Associated Labels. Russell returned as Hank Wilson, but this time with a twist of bluegrass, in '' Rhythm & Bluegrass: Hank Wilson, Vol. 4'', released in 2001 on Leon Russell Records. The songs are with New Grass Revival from the 1980s. Russell and the others who played on the " Foggy Mountain Breakdown" track each won
Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...
for Best Country Instrumental Performance at the 2001 Grammy Awards, which were presented on February 27, 2002. '' Moonlight & Love Songs'', an album Russell made with the
Nashville Symphony The Nashville Symphony is an American symphony orchestra, based in Nashville, Tennessee. The orchestra is resident at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. History In 1920, prior to the 1946 founding of the Nashville Symphony, a group of amateur a ...
, was released on Leon Russell Records in 2002. In 2002, Russell released a 95-minute DVD titled ''A Song for You'', that features 25 Russell classic songs from the Shelter People to 2001. There is biographical commentary throughout the DVD. The video is of both concerts and studio sessions. The DVD album '' Live And Pickling Fast'' was released in the same year. This was a new album of the live Perkins Palace event on May 15, 1980. It had all the original songs from ''The Live Album (with New Grass Revival)'', plus all the other songs from the event and bonus tracks. In 2006, Russell did a 12-city concert tour of the United States. On April 23, he received the Living Legend award at
Bare Bones International Film Festival The Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival was founded in 1999 by the Darkwood Film Arts Institute in the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma, United States to showcase independent motion picture projects with budgets of less than 1 million dolla ...
and in October he was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Also in 2006, Russell released the Okie rock album '' Angel in Disguise'' on his Leon Russell Records label. '' Bad Country'' released on Leon Russell Records in 2007, with 12 original songs by Russell. Russell played at Diversafest, Tulsa's music conference and festival, in 2007. '' Almost Piano'' was released in 2007 by Leon Russell Records. It is a
synthesizer A synthesizer (also synthesiser or synth) is an electronic musical instrument that generates audio signals. Synthesizers typically create sounds by generating waveforms through methods including subtractive synthesis, additive synthesis a ...
piano collection of ten instrumentals from Russell. '' In Your Dreams'' was released on CD by Leon Russell Records in 2008, as was '' A Mighty Flood'', a gospel album with original songs by him. ''
Billboard magazine ''Billboard'' (stylized in lowercase since 2013) is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events and styles related to th ...
'' described the latter as "a recent treat" and "buoyant."


2010s - Sixth Gold album, failing health

On January 31, 2010, Russell joined the Zac Brown Band to play the song " Chicken Fried" at the Grammy Awards. Zac Brown Band won the Best New Artist award. After years of reduced prominence, Russell's career was rejuvenated when Elton John sought him for a new project. In November 2009, Russell worked with John and
Bernie Taupin Bernard John Taupin (born 22 May 1950) is an English lyricist and visual artist. He is best known for his songwriting partnership with Elton John, recognised as one of the most successful partnerships of its kind in history. Taupin co-wrote th ...
on '' The Union'', a double album record credited equally to Russell and John. Recorded in February 2010 and produced by T Bone Burnett, the CD was released on October 19, 2010. ''The Union'' was Russell's sixth gold album. The recordings were interrupted in January 2010 when Russell was hospitalized and underwent surgery for a brain fluid leak, as well as treatment for heart failure and pneumonia. A couple of months later, Russell announced plans for a solo LP, although no specifics were given, and in October 2010 Russell and John embarked on The Union Tour. John and Russell also appeared on the ''
Late Show with David Letterman ''Late Show with David Letterman'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS, the first iteration of the ''Late Show'' franchise. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and was produced by Letterman's production com ...
''. Russell and John were nominated for their track “If It Wasn't for Bad," from their ''The Union'' album, for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 2010 Grammy Awards, which were presented on February 13, 2011. In 2011, the documentary film '' The Union'' by Cameron Crowe was released. It explored the creative process of John and Russell in the making of the 2010 album ''The Union''. On April 2, 2011, Russell and John performed together as the musical guests on ''
Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (''SNL'') is an American Late night television in the United States, late-night live television, live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC. The ...
''. ''
Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...
'' placed the album in third place on its list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010. In 2012, Russell and Vince Gill sang the song "A Way to Survive" on the '' Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran'' studio album by Jamey Johnson. Russell played in Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic in
Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, Tarrant County, covering nearly into Denton County, Texas, Denton, Johnson County, Texas, Johnson, Parker County, Texas, Parker, and Wise County, Te ...
, in 2013. He had first played at the picnic in 1973. On June 23, 2013, Russell performed on the CMT Crossroads broadcast with Willie Nelson,
Sheryl Crow Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She is noted for her Optimism, optimistic and Idealism, idealistic subject matter, and incorporation of genres including Rock music, rock, Po ...
, Jamey Johnson, Norah Jones, Ashley Monroe and Neil Young. In 2014, the album '' Life Journey'' was released on Universal Records. Working with Tommy LiPuma, this album included two new songs by Russell: "Big Lips" and "Down in Dixieland." On March 16, 2015, a restored version of a previously unreleased 1974 documentary about Russell, '' A Poem Is a Naked Person'' by filmmaker Les Blank, was screened at the
South by Southwest South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and Convention (meeting), conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas. It began in 1987 and has conti ...
Film Festival. The film features concert footage of Russell in New Orleans and Anaheim and of the recording sessions for the album ''Hank Wilson's Back''. In 2015, Russell played at Virginia's Lockn' Festival and the Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival in Richardson, Texas. On May 30, 2015, Russell, Bonnie Raitt and Ivan Neville gave a performance at The Canyon Club in
Agoura Hills, California Agoura Hills () is a city situated in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 20,330 as of the 2010 United States census, 2010 census, which decreased to 20,299 in 2020. Agoura H ...
to raise money for
Marty Grebb Martin Joseph Grebb (September 2, 1945 – January 1, 2020) was an American keyboardist, guitarist, and saxophonist. A member of The Buckinghams in the late 1960s, Grebb was also a record producer and an arranger, who worked with musicians inc ...
who was battling cancer. Grebb had played on some of their albums. On September 11, 2015, he joined Rita Coolidge, Claudia Lennear, Chris Stainton, and other members of the 1970 ''Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour'' for a tribute concert to Joe Cocker organized by the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Original tour photographer Linda Wolf documented the reunion and performance. Russell had a nationwide concert tour in 2016 and was planning to tour into 2017."Musicians' Musician, Rocker Leon Russell, Dies at 74"
''Forbes'', November 13, 2016.
The album '' On a Distant Shore'', recorded in 2016, was posthumously released in September 2017. The album has 12 songs written by Russell. Two of his daughters, Coco Bridges and Sugaree Noel Bridges, perform backing vocals on it.


Failing health and death

In 2010, Russell had surgery for cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea and was treated for
heart failure Heart failure (HF), also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a syndrome caused by an impairment in the heart's ability to Cardiac cycle, fill with and pump blood. Although symptoms vary based on which side of the heart is affected, HF ...
. In July 2016, he suffered a
heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when Ischemia, blood flow decreases or stops in one of the coronary arteries of the heart, causing infarction (tissue death) to the heart muscle. The most common symptom ...
and underwent heart bypass surgery. He died in his sleep at his Mount Juliet, Tennessee home on November 13, 2016, at the age of 74. Russell's funeral was on November 18 at Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, and a public memorial was held at The
Oral Roberts University Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a Private university, private Evangelicalism, evangelical university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1963, the university is named after its founder, Charismatic Christianity, Charismatic Christian preacher Oral ...
Mabee Center on November 20 in Tulsa. His body is interred at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa.


Musical influence

Russell's music style encompassed rock,
country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...
,
gospel Gospel originally meant the Christianity, Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the second century Anno domino, AD the term (, from which the English word originated as a calque) came to be used also for the books in which the message w ...
, bluegrass,
rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated within African American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predomina ...
,
southern rock Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music and a genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitars and vocals. History 1950s and 1960s: origin ...
,
blues rock Blues rock is a fusion music genre, genre and form of rock music, rock and blues music that relies on the chords/scales and instrumental improvisation of blues. It is mostly an electric ensemble-style music with instrumentation similar to electri ...
,
rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...
, folk, surf, swamp rock, and Tulsa sound.
Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, songwriter and pianist. His music and showmanship have had a significant, lasting impact on the music industry, and his songwriting partnership with l ...
, who had once been Russell's opening act, acknowledged him as his "biggest influence as a piano player, a singer and a songwriter." After hearing of Russell's death he said: "My darling Leon Russell passed away last night. He was a mentor, inspiration and so kind to me. I loved him and always will." John once recalled: Pixies vocalist Black Francis credits Russell with influencing his vocal style: "I realise there's a certain kind of vocalising I do that takes its cue from Leon Russell. He sang in a Southern accent but it was very blown-out and exaggerated, very free and loose." One of Russell's titles and signature nicknames is "Master of Space and Time." The depth and scope of Russell's contribution to the music of the twentieth century is illustrated by: 408 albums on which he received a credit 251 total artistic credits
37 types of artistic credit * Piano – 77 credits * Arranger – 23 * Keyboards – 20 * Guitar – 17 * Organ – 14 * Electric piano – 11 * Guest – 11 * Vocals – 11 * Bass – 10 * Miscellaneous – 58 (includes percussion, trumpet, moog, clavinet and 23 more types) 282 total writing credits
Five types of writing credit * Songwriter – 161 credits * Writer – 87 * Composer – 20 * Music – 8 * Lyrics – 6 45 production credits


Personal life

Russell had six children: a daughter from a relationship with Carla McHenry; a son and daughter from his first marriage to Mary McCreary; and three daughters from his later marriage to Janet Lee Constantine.


Grammy Awards

The
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...
s are awarded annually by the
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc. (NARAS), doing business as The Recording Academy, is an American Learned society, learned academy of musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other musical professionals. It is widely kno ...
to recognize outstanding achievements in music, and are widely regarded as the most prestigious awards in the music industry worldwide. , - ,
2011 The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
, "If It Wasn't For Bad" with Elton John (singer) , Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals , , - ,
2002 The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
, " Foggy Mountain Breakdown" , Best Country Instrumental Performance , , - ,
1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a United States grain embargo against the Soviet Union, grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning Sys ...
, "I Saw The Light" with
Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...
, Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance , , - ,
1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a United States grain embargo against the Soviet Union, grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning Sys ...
, " Heartbreak Hotel" with
Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...
, Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group , , - ,
1978 Events January * January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213. * January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd ...
, " A Star Is Born" , Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special , , - ,
1978 Events January * January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213. * January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd ...
, " A Star Is Born" , Grammy Award for Best Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special , , - ,
1977 Events January * January 8 – 1977 Moscow bombings, Three bombs explode in Moscow within 37 minutes, killing seven. The bombings are attributed to an Armenian separatist group. * January 10 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in eastern Zaire (no ...
, " This Masquerade" ,
Grammy Award for Song of the Year The Grammy Award for Song of the Year is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. The Song of the Year award is one of the four most prestigious categories at ...
, , - ,
1973 Events January * January 1 – The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 14 - The 16-0 19 ...
, " The Concert For Bangladesh" ,
Grammy Award for Album of the Year The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is an award presented by the The Recording Academy, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the r ...
, , -


Country Music Association Awards

The Country Music Association Awards, also known as the CMA Awards or CMAs, are presented to
country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...
artists and broadcasters to recognize outstanding achievement in the country music industry. , - ,
1979 Events January * January 1 ** United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim heralds the start of the ''International Year of the Child''. Many musicians donate to the ''Music for UNICEF Concert'' fund, among them ABBA, who write the song ...
, "One for the Road" with
Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...
, Album of the Year , , -


BAFTA Awards

The British Academy Film Awards, more commonly known as the BAFTA Awards, honor the best British and international contributions to film. , - ,
1978 Events January * January 1 – Air India Flight 855, a Boeing 747 passenger jet, crashes off the coast of Bombay, killing 213. * January 5 – Bülent Ecevit, of Republican People's Party, CHP, forms the new government of Turkey (42nd ...
, " A Star Is Born" , Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music , , -


Accolades

* 1973: Top Concert Attraction in the World – ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' * 1979: Muskogee (Oklahoma) Living Legend * 2006: Lifetime Achievement Award – Bare Bones International Film Festival * 2006: Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame * 2011: Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame * 2011:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), also simply referred to as the Rock Hall, is a museum and hall of fame located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States, on the shore of Lake Erie. The museum documents the history of rock music and the ...
– first recipient of the Award for Musical Excellence * 2011: Songwriters Hall of Fame * 2018: "A Song For You" – inducted into Grammy Hall Of Fame * 2022: Oklahoma Hall of Fame


Discography


Studio and live albums


Compilation albums


Singles


Music videos


See also

* Ambrose Campbell toured and recorded with Russell *
Don Nix William Donald Nix (September 27, 1941 – December 31, 2024) was an American musician, songwriter, and producer. Nix, who was best known for his song "Going Down," was described by AllMusic as "one of the more obscure figures in Southern soul ...
producer/artist at Shelter Records * Jesse Ed Davis friend who was introduced by Russell to recording session work * Kathi McDonald Russell's main background vocalist * Patrick Henderson songwriter/artist with Russell *'' Indianola Mississippi Seeds'', B.B. King made Russell's "Hummingbird" a hit * Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section session musicians who helped make some of Russell's songs 'hit singles'


References


External links

* * *
Leon Russell
on Find A Grave
Leon Russell Interview
at NAMM Oral History Collection (2012) {{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Leon 1942 births 2016 deaths American male singer-songwriters American male conductors (music) American music arrangers American rock musicians American session musicians American rock songwriters American rock singers Swamp rock musicians Musicians from Tulsa, Oklahoma People from Lawton, Oklahoma Delaney & Bonnie & Friends members The Wrecking Crew (music) members Grammy Award winners American rock pianists American male pianists American rock guitarists American male guitarists American record producers Charay Records artists Paradise Records artists Shelter Records artists American rock keyboardists American mandolinists American organists American male organists American multi-instrumentalists Guitarists from Oklahoma Record producers from Oklahoma 20th-century American guitarists 21st-century American keyboardists 20th-century American keyboardists 20th-century American male singers 20th-century American singer-songwriters 21st-century American male singers 21st-century American singer-songwriters Singer-songwriters from Oklahoma A&M Records artists Will Rogers High School alumni