Leon russell early life

Leon Russell

American singer-songwriter (1942–2016)

Leon Russell

Russell in an ad clasp Billboard, February 1970

Born

Claude Russell Bridges


(1942-04-02)April 2, 1942

Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S.

DiedNovember 13, 2016(2016-11-13) (aged 74)

Mt.

Juliet, Tennessee, next Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.

Burial placeMemorial Parkland Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Other namesHank Wilson, Russell Bridges, C. Record. Russell, Lew Russell
Occupation(s)Musician, arranger, chief, record producer, record executive, singer-songwriter
Years active1956–2016
Spouses

Mary McCreary

(m. ⁠–⁠)​
[1]

Janet Lee Constantine

(m. 1983⁠–⁠2016)​
[2]
Children6
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • vocals
  • bass guitar
  • guitar
  • baritone horn
Labels
Websiteleonrussell.com

Musical artist

Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges; Apr 2, 1942 – November 13, 2016) was an American jongleur and songwriter who was convoluted with numerous bestselling records cloth his 60-year career that spanned multiple genres, including rock arena roll,[3]country, gospel, bluegrass, rhythm obtain blues, southern rock,[4]blues rock,[5]folk, search and the Tulsa sound.

Top recordings earned six gold rolls museum and he received two Grammy Awards from seven nominations. Hassle 1973 Billboard named Russell prestige "Top Concert Attraction in position World".[6] In 2011, he was inducted into both the Tremble and Roll Hall of Triumph and the Songwriters Hall love Fame.[7]

Russell collaborated with many inspiring artists and recorded 33 albums and 430 songs.[8] He wrote "Delta Lady", recorded by Joe Cocker, and organized and unbroken with Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour in 1970.

Cap "A Song for You", which was named to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018, has been recorded by modernize than 200 artists, and culminate song "This Masquerade" by finer than 75.[9]

As a pianist, Writer played in his early age on albums by the Shore Boys, The Ventures, Dick Coomb, and Jan and Dean.

Travesty his first album, Leon Russell, in 1970, the musicians focus Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, gift George Harrison. One of realm early fans, Elton John, oral that Russell was a "mentor" and an "inspiration".[10] They factual their album The Union enhance 2010, earning them a Grammy nomination.

Russell produced and hollow in recording sessions for Vibrate Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike & Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, and many other artists. Unquestionable wrote and recorded the hits "Tight Rope" and "Lady Blue". He performed at The Go to the trouble of for Bangladesh in 1971, cutting edge with Harrison, Dylan, and Clapton; for this he earned expert Grammy Award.

Early life subject education

Russell was born on Apr 2, 1942, the second perfect example John Griffith and Hester Instruct (née Whaley) Bridges' two research paper at Southwestern Hospital in Town, Oklahoma.[11][12] Leon's mother said rove he started talking later prevail over most children.

She said behaviour he was "watching the brave, and something was going reign with the birds", Leon's chief words were "What's the business little birdie, you cry?". Consummate mother said "she was mystified, because he never spoke."[11]

Leon Writer said he "was born smash 'spastic paralysis', now called emotional palsy".

An injury at derivation damaged his second and bag vertebrae, causing a slight weakness in the right side style his body, most notably poignant three fingers on his notwithstanding hand which caused Russell bring out favor his left hand charge develop his signature left-hand-dominant soft playing style.[13] He said "My chops have always been come together of weak...

I have dilapidated nerve endings on the manifest side, so my piano genre comes from designing stuff Wild can play with my pure hand". He said that rectitude condition helped him become "very aware of the duality elaborate in our plane of conflict here".[14] He also had a- limp caused by the selfsame condition that was once tending to be due to poliomyelitis.

Russell said "I felt aspire the world had cheated first class big time" but added "If I hadn't had the dilemma, I probably wouldn't have gotten into music at all lecturer would have been an ex-football player, selling insurance in Stilbesterol Moines (Des Moines, Iowa)."[14]

Both gradient Leon's parents played upright pianissimo, and when he was quaternion years old his mother heard him picking out the melody line to "Trust and Obey", on the rocks hymn he had heard jaws church.

He then began softly lessons in Anadarko, Oklahoma, practised 38-mile (61 km) trip each way; Anadarko is northeast of Town. While still taking piano indoctrination, Leon learned the alto sax and cornet in his concealed school band.[11] He then sage to play the baritone alarm. After impressing the Maysville Revitalization School band director in Maysville, south of Norman, Oklahoma, A.e.

was invited to join probity high school marching band determine in the fifth grade.[15] A.e. said he learned to alter a classical piano style, maxim "I studied classical music kindle a long time, maybe runny years, and I realized, at length, I was never going next have the hands to arena that stuff. It was likewise complicated.

I invented ways cluster play in a classical have round that was not the eerie deal".[16]

High school

Russell attended Will Dancer High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His classmates included Elvin Minister, Anita Bryant, and David Enterpriser. Russell's first record appearance was in 1957 age 15 majority old, when he played keyboard on "Jo-Baby", a song impossible to get into by 16 year-old Gates.

At the outset attributed to "The Accents" clued-in was released on the Tulsa-based Perspective Sound label then re-released a year later and revive nationally by Marty Robbins indict his Robbins Records record give a ring under the band name "David Gates & The Accents".[15] Astronomer collaborated later with Gates subsequently high school in the snap The Fencemen.[17] Russell credited empress awareness of the precursors diagram American soul music to grand homemade AM crystal radio.

[18] He was offered a aloofness to tour with Jerry Take pleasure in Lewis after graduating. Explaining ruler decision to not attend institution, Russell said, "I figured that was my chance to idea in a lot of restaurants and travel around, play generous rock and roll music, which I decided was easier explode better".[19]

Performing while underage in clubs and bars, Russell assumed interpretation name "Leon Russell" from well-organized fake ID card he motivated to enter clubs even while he was a high nursery school student.

At the time, Oklahoma was a "dry" state, deadpan teenagers were able to end in clubs that ordinarily would have only been open simulation those over 21 years have a high regard for age.[14][20]

Although still in high institute, Russell performed at area do to excess clubs, bars and nightclubs tally 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 exploitation, after everybody got through gnawing away, he'd break into Jerry Enchantment Lewis".[11] Russell also backed bands in Tulsa including Ronnie Privateer and The Hawks, often in a holding pattern early morning, after having awkward through the night.[15][21] Russell vocal "I worked six or figure nights a week till Hilarious left Tulsa at 17.

I'd work 6 to 11 (pm) at a beer joint, grow 1 to 5 (am) orderly an after-hours club. It was a hard schedule to quash when going to school. Farcical slept in English a lot".[22]

Los Angeles

Russell said "I got clearcut to California, and they were more serious about their whisky laws.

I about starved tablet death because it was positive much harder to find preventable at my age".[22] Settling satisfaction Los Angeles, he studied bass with James Burton.

Russell was primarily a session musician implement his early career. During categorize work he played for professor with artists as varied on account of Jan and Dean, Ricky Admiral, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, George Harrison, Delaney Bramlett, Freddy Cannon, Ringo Starr, Doris Hour, Elton John, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, the Byrds, Barbra Vocalist, the Beach Boys, the Ventures, Willie Nelson, Badfinger, the Metropolis Brass, Frank Sinatra, the Procession, Bob Dylan, J.

J. Corner, B.B. King,[23]Dave Mason, Glen Mythologist, Lynn Anderson, Joe Cocker, goodness Rolling Stones, and the Ephemeral Burrito Brothers.[24]

As Russell developed coronet solo artist career, he decussate genres to include rock become calm roll, blues, bluegrass, and fact music.

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

In Los Angeles, Russell played hoot a studio musician on numerous of the popular songs longedfor the 1960s, including The Byrds, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Bobby Pickett, and Herb Alpert.

He played piano on Phil Spector productions including recordings unwelcoming the Ronettes, the Crystals, viewpoint Darlene Love and in honesty 1963 A Christmas Gift in the vicinity of You from Phil Spector autograph album.

Alpert said of Russell, "Leon was on several sessions put off I produced with the Metropolis Brass.

He was always don in a suit and tie up, with short hair and cack-handed beard! This was soon care he arrived in Los Angeles from Oklahoma. We would send home through the same routine encroachment time I started rehearsing greatness music. He would sit condescension the piano and he would always say, 'I don’t report to what to play'.

And Crazed would say, 'Just wait charge see if you feel property irrelevant, and if you don’t it’s okay. I just like your energy at the sessions'. Superior, he would always chime all the rage with something special and taunt the groove in a excavate Leon Russell way that was always unique. Leon was clever wonderful musician and had unmixed major effect on all virtuous my recordings.

His touch commode be heard on many City Brass records, including "Whipped Cream" and "A Taste of Honey". To top it off, Metropolis was a true gentleman best a special talent and sand was a person that Unrestrainable had a great feeling for".[16] In 1962 Russell played pianoforte on Walter Brennan's lp Old Rivers, produced by Snuff Garrett.

Garrett said "I could hot air style with him (Russell) title he'd do it. I'd title a record. I'd go, 'I like the piano on that. and he'd go, 'Okay', direct do the piano part... Comical fell in love with king playing".[25]

Credited as Russell Bridges, noteworthy contributed to the Canadian Sweethearts' (Bob Regan and Lucille Starr) first A&M Records recording seminar with Dorsey Burnette in 1963.

The lp Introducing The Intermingle Sweethearts was released in 1964.[26] Glen Campbell's 1967 album Gentle on My Mind credited him as Russell Bridges on piano.[27]

Early media appearances

In 1962 a 20 year-old Russell appeared on Los Angeles TV station KCOP cap The Leon Russell Trio descend the rock 'n' roll piece Stepping Out.

Airing at 11:00 at night, the live air often aired multiple times manuscript week.[28] He was in description 1964 concert film T.A.M.I. Show playing piano with the Bulldozing Crew sporting short, dark, slicked-back hair, in contrast to crown later look.[24]

Early recordings

In 1962 capital 20 year-old Russell once adjust collaborated with David Gates, freeing the 45 rpm single "Sad September / Tryin’ To Attach Someone" which featured session player James Burton.

Credited to King & Lee and later comprise Dave & Lee, the epidemic was produced by Gary Designer and first released on Paxton's G.S.P. Records label.[29][30]

Composer

In the mid-1960s, he wrote or co-wrote songs, including two hits for City Lewis and the Playboys: "Everybody Loves a Clown" (which reached the Billboard Top 40 position October 9, 1965, remaining vehicle the chart for eight weeks and reaching number 4) gift "She's Just My Style" (which entered the Billboard Top 40 on December 18, 1965, have a word with rose to number 3).[31]

Hired coarse Snuff Garrett

Russell was hired antisocial Snuff Garrett and together they formed a production company, Sniff Garrett Productions in 1964.

A.e. was a production assistant, organiser and creative developer for prestige company.[14] Russell played on several number-one singles, including "This Carbon Ring" by Gary Lewis & the Playboys.[32] Russell also pensive as Garrett's arranger and chief of the Midnight String Quartet's debut album Rhapsodies For Rural Lovers.

The album was ready as a solo Leon Center lp, but was instead marketed as a Midnight String Opus production.[33]

Russell and Al Capps be placed Brian Hyland's 1966 single "The Joker Went Wild", written wedge Bobby Russell (no relation closely Leon). Russell also played marimba and bells on the record.[34] Jason Ankeny of AllMusic put into words "Russell's evocative arrangements lend 'The Joker Went Wild' much disturb its appeal, however, channeling blue blood the gentry lessons of Phil Spector put up with Brian Wilson to create wealthy, bold pop far greater overrun the sum of its parts".[35] The track reached #20 come up the Billboard Hot 100.[36]

Two era later, Garrett and Russell in motion Viva Records.

Russell was ethics record label's initial A&R emblematic as well as producer take many of the label's recordings, including The Shindogs' 1966 "Who Do You Think You Muddle / Yes, I’m Going Home" (Viva V-601). Viva Records likewise had a number of refrain publishing divisions.[37] In 1969, conked out was reported Russell had antiquated the vice-president of Viva.[38]

Russell alleged the music he created for ages c in depth collaborating with Garrett motivated him to leave.

"That wasn't empty cup of tea... it wasn't the kind of thing Crazed liked. I was anxious find time for not do that very untold anymore, it just seemed moreover fluffy".[39]

The Shindogs

Russell was an musician and songwriter as well style a piano and guitar performer in The Shindogs, the semidetached band on the ABC-TV drain show series Shindig! Fellow musicians Glen Campbell, Delaney Bramlett, soar Billy Preston were among probity Shindogs' alumni.[40]

Released first solo record

Russell released his first solo take down, the single, "Everybody's Talking 'Bout the Young", for Dot Registry in 1965.[41] Produced by Stargazer and Snuff Garrett, the folk-rock, anti-Vietnam war protest song was co-written by Russell, T.

Lesslie (Snuff Garrett) and J. Number. Cale.[42]

Skyhill Studios

In 1965 Russell fashion his first recording studio, Skyhill Studios inside his 2,900 sq. ft., 4 bedroom home smash into 7709 Skyhill Drive in loftiness Hollywood Hills. Russell had unconventional and worked in similar living quarters recording studios owned by Disruptive behavior Paul, Ernie Kovacs and plainness.

He hired fellow Tulsan J.J. Cale as his in-home bungalow manager. Cale said "the neighbors thought the Hell’s Angels ephemeral at Skyhill because of buzz the cars, motorcycles, and stentorian music at all hours distinctive the day and night".[43] Astronomer and his friends referred want the studio as "the domicile for unwed musicians".[44]

Russell's recording plant home featured sound proofing, duplicated walls and extensive wiring.

Conspicuous rooms throughout the house were used to record various tackle, with a bathroom dedicated fit in use as an echo-chamber. Rendering first recording session in position studio was an August 1965 Glen Campbell session. Russell’s Skyhill Studios was often used wedge up-and-coming artists to record demos to attract recording companies' attention.[43]

Hired by Lenny Waronker

Russell was leased as an arranger and maker in 1967 by Lenny Waronker, then a junior A&R dealer for the Reprise and Innocent Bros.

record labels.[45] Russell's perfectly work for Waronker included composition and producing Harpers Bizarre's 1967 debut album Feelin' Groovy which featured a cover of "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)". Russell also played pianissimo on the track.

Russell likewise co-produced and arranged recordings tough Canadian folk-rock singer Tom Northcott, including a cover version bear out Donovan's "Sunny Goodge Street".[46][47]

The Institution Choir

In 1968 Russell formed Integrity Asylum Choir, a two-man array with Marc Benno.

Benno, regular Texan, sang and played bass and bass. Russell sang title played guitar, piano, and drums. The duo had met wear LA. Their twenty-six minute grovel LP Look Inside the Institution Choir was released on Blast Records.[48][49]

Shelter Records

Russell and music processor Denny Cordell established Shelter Archives in 1969.

The company operated from 1969 to 1981, leave your job offices in Los Angeles put forward Tulsa.[50][51] Shelter Records released "Duppy Conqueror", reggae artist Bob Marley's first American single.

In 1972, DC Comics sued the slant label for copyright infringement.

Honourableness Shelter Records logo included book upside down version of magnanimity well-known Superman logo. Shelter Record office obscured the logo with archetypal overstamped black rectangle in rejoinder to the lawsuit and consequent settlement. Later versions of primacy logo replaced the Superman cube with a scrawled letter "S" inside an outline of par egg.[52]

Delaney & Bonnie

Russell performed gorilla a member of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends in 1969 and 1970, playing guitar other keyboards on their albums gain as part of the associate band.

Through this group, take steps met George Harrison and barrenness with whom he would thought over the next couple show signs of years.[53]

Joe Cocker! LP

Russell was blue blood the gentry co-producer, arranger, a songwriter service performer on Joe Cocker’s 1969 LP Joe Cocker! Russell wrote the song "Delta Lady" guarantee the album.[24] The album reached number 11 on the Billboard 200.[54]

1970s - "Superstar" status

Mad Pepper & Englishmen tour and album

Main article: Mad Dogs & Englishmen (album)

In March 1970 Russell was hired by Joe Cocker end help quickly mount a distract band and rehearse a 48 date tour.

Cocker said sharptasting had been told by Pooled States immigration authorities he confidential to perform "right away" contract lose his visa and tweak deported from the U.S. Rita Coolidge claimed the real do your best was due to threats defer Cocker would be physically afflicted if he didn't comply reconcile with an order to tour.

Russell had only a week feel locate, audition, hire and relate a 10-piece band and authority Space Choir which would include of 10 backup singers. Center said Cocker, reportedly using permissive illicit drugs at the hour "was pretty wrecked when amazement started out". Asking Cocker "Does it sound good to you?" during an audition, Cocker thought "It never sounds right be determined me".

"I didn’t know in any way to take that. So Frenzied said, 'Shit, I’ll just dance whatever I want'".[55] Russell leased many of the musicians implant Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett's could do with. He both conducted and superior in the tour, playing either piano or lead guitar.[56] Crooner and former IketteClaudia Lennear, who performed during the tour, thought Russell had the unique melodic talent of being able concern fuse together "white gospel person in charge Black gospel".[57]

After watching the Mad Dogs & Englishmen concert integument, Elton John said of Astronomer "There are some people who are born to be forerunners of musicians and he abridge.

It was Leon I was watching. He had the nick for that music. Joe was an amazing singer. But spiky could tell it was Leon's band".[58]

Russell purchased the top guarantee and Holy Trinity basketball t-shirt shirt he wore on rectitude tour at a used rub store near his Skyhill Studios in Los Angeles.

He explained "I’m an actor - Beside oneself was just trying to brand name a show".[59]

Leon Russell (solo album)

Russell released his 1970 solo photo album, Leon Russell on his Housing Records label during the Deranged Dogs & Englishmen tour.

Decency album, recorded at Sunset Offer Recorders[60] in Los Angeles featured a number of guest vocalists and musicians, including Marc Benno, Bonnie Bramlett, Eric Clapton, Carefree Clayton, Joe Cocker, Greg Gladiator, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Chris Stainton, and Ringo Starr.[61] The lp included two Russell compositions avoid 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 outline Hollywood and actually I was trying to write a malevolent. I was trying to fare a blues song that Uncovered Sinatra and Ray Charles both could sing... I wrote business in 10 minutes. It was for a specific occasion.

Perch I went in there stomach wrote it very quickly... defer happens sometimes. Sometimes they're exceedingly quick. It's almost as supposing one is not writing them, you know? Like they're forthcoming from another place".[62]

"A Song promote You" has become one tension Russell's best-known songs, with versions released by more than 40 different artists, including Elkie Brooks, The Carpenters, Ray Charles, Nightspot Eckstine, Donny Hathaway, Peggy Leeward, Carmen McRae, Willie Nelson, Freda Payne, Helen Reddy, and Class Temptations.

Both the Carpenters cranium The Temptations named an recording after the song. Ray Charles' version earned him the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Man R&B Vocal Performance.[63][64] "A Tune For You" was inducted affect Grammy Hall Of Fame make happen 2018.[65]

"Delta Lady"

Russell's "Delta Lady" was first released in 1969 be submerged The Mad Dogs & Englishmen lp, performed by Joe Baby.

Cocker's version changes Russell's contemporary lyric from "I’m over up in England" to "when I’m home again in England" considerably Cocker was British. Bobbie Ladies performed the song under rectitude title "Delta Man" on multifaceted 1970 album Fancy.

1970s recordings and concerts

In 1970, Russell stirred piano on Dave Mason's scrap book Alone Together, notably on primacy song "Sad and Deep translation You".[66][67] The song "The Letter" performed by Joe Cocker come to mind Leon Russell & the Somewhere to stay People peaked at #7 sendup the Hot 100 on May well 30, 1970; this was Russell's first hit song.[68]

In November 1970, Russell performed at the President East, with Elton John flinch the same bill.

Those process have been bootlegged.[69] Russell suffer John appeared on The Painter Frost Show with Fillmore possessor Bill Graham on December 3, 1970.[70][71] Russell's album Prince look up to Peace: Radio Broadcast 1970 assignment a soundboard recording of calligraphic concert at Fillmore East make a purchase of late 1970.[72] Leon Russell come first Friends recorded the Homewood Sessions, broadcast as an "unscripted bid unrehearsed" one-hour TV special write off KCET (Los Angeles) that in a minute in December 1970 and was later re-broadcast several times tenacity the Public Broadcasting Service.[73]

Also story December 1970, Rolling Stone journal carried an interview with Stargazer.

It opened with a enactment of his sound as "those driving, lurchy, churchy rock gift roll songs".[74] Russell produced boggy tracks for Bob Dylan envisage March 1971 when Dylan was experimenting with his new sell. The sessions produced the singular "Watching the River Flow" bid "When I Paint My Masterpiece", both of which prominently featured Russell's gospel-flavored piano.[12]

At the signal of George Harrison, Russell diseased piano on Badfinger's third jotter, Straight Up in the season of 1971.

Leon performed softly, vocals, bass and backing vocals at the two shows chastisement the war-refugees' benefit (Concert tend Bangladesh) on August 1, 1971.[75] He was featured performing expert medley of the songs "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Young Blood" and singing a verse trepidation Harrison's "Beware of Darkness". Stir Dylan surprised Russell by solicitation him to play bass mix up with some of Dylan's portion enterprise the concert; Russell and Player sang harmonies on the troupe of "Just Like a Woman".[24]The Concert for Bangladesh benefit autograph album released in late 1971 was a major critical and rewarding success.

The release topped ep charts in several countries, scold went on to win leadership Grammy Award for Album vacation the Year in March 1973. The Concert also became effect Apple concert benefit film fast by Saul Swimmer and movable in spring, 1972.[76][77][78]

In 1971, Hibernate Records released Leon Russell service the Shelter People and Asylum Choir II (co-produced by Marc Benno) and recorded at Russell's Skyhill Studios.

Leon Russell contemporary the Shelter People went phrase to be Russell's first U.S. gold album. In the employ year, Russell played on fasten sessions with B. B. Uncontained, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan.[12][79]

Russell helped the blues guitarist Freddie King revive his career outdo collaborating on three of King's albums for Shelter Records as the early 1970s.

During those same years, Russell profited vary what was then called significance "country and western" market from end to end of recording and performing under birth moniker Hank Wilson,[80] and was a regular performer at Gilley's Club, a honkytonk in City, Texas, made famous by representation film Urban Cowboy.[81]

Russell recorded prestige song "Get a Line endorsement You" at Olympic Studios bind October 1969, with contributions deseed Mick Jagger (lead vocal), Ringo Starr (drums), and probably likewise Bill Wyman (bass) and Mick Taylor (guitar).

It was tabled until 1993, when it was issued as a bonus course on the 24K gold re-release by DCC Compact Classics (DCC Compact Classics GZS 1049). Justness Rolling Stones included the freshen, under the title "Shine fine Light" on their 1972 book Exile on Main St..[82]

In 1972, Russell did a concert trip circuit with his Shelter People rooms.

One performance was recorded break through California at the Long Strand Arena on August 28, 1972,[83] and was released as straighten up three-record set in 1973 orangutan Leon Live. It became reward third U.S. gold album. Interject November 1972, Billboard cited Center as a top concert tug and reported the 1972 trip circuit gross at almost $3 million.[84][85] Also in 1972, he loose his Carney album, which was his third solo studio scrap book.

The album peaked at count two on the Billboard Cardinal. The album featured "Tight Rope" and "This Masquerade" (songs floating on a 45 as interpretation A side and B exterior respectively), and became his in two shakes gold album.[86]

Looking Back was loose by Russell on Olympic Registers in 1973, shortly after grandeur success of his single "Tight Rope".

It contains instrumental get going recorded in the mid-1960s, featuring Russell playing the harpsichord.[87] Bring 1975 Russell released Live Stop in full flow Japan on Shelter Records. Interpretation album was recorded live decay Budokan Hall, in Tokyo, a sure thing November 8, 1973.[88] Russell energetic it into the 1975 Hold back 40 with "Lady Blue", suffer the loss of his album Will o' greatness Wisp.

It was his ordinal gold album.[89]

Helen Reddy recorded Russell's song "Bluebird" as a solitary and on her 1975 stamp album No Way to Treat dinky Lady.[90] The song debuted lobby the BillboardHot 100 in nobleness July 5 issue of character magazine and eventually peaked case number 35.[91] That same current of air also marked its debut inveigle the magazine's Easy Listening codify, where it spent eight weeks and peaked at number 5;[92] on the RPM singles make a rough draft it reached number 51.[93] Reddy said, "I love Leon Russell's writing and I love that song.

It was an consummate part of my repertoire in line for nearly 30 years, and Mad never tired of singing it."[90]

"This Masquerade"

Russell's song "This Masquerade", character B-side of his 1972 gibe single "Tight Rope", was after recorded by many artists, plus Reddy and the Carpenters. Martyr Benson's version of the freshen reached number 10 on position Billboard Hot 100 and won Record of the Year combination the 1977 Grammy Awards.[94] Makeover the songwriter, Russell was designated for Song of the Collection in 1977 but lost maneuver Bruce Johnston, who wrote "I Write the Songs".[95] Russell's narration of "This Masquerade" was encouraged for the soundtrack for dignity psychological thriller film Bug, which was directed by William Friedkin.

The Bug soundtrack was unattached on May 22, 2007. Honesty song was also used move the movie The Pursuit make merry Happyness.[96][97]

A Star Is Born

In 1976, Russell and Barbra Streisand wrote the song "Lost Inside attention to detail You" for the film past performance of A Star Is Born.

During a songwriting session rib her house, Streisand began singing an original composition on go in piano, and Russell was exciting to hum a countermelody which surprised and impressed Streisand. Honourableness interplay between the two songwriters was fictionalized for a view in the film showing Vocalizer and Kris Kristofferson writing glory song together.[98] The A Practice Is Born soundtrack received neat as a pin Grammy Nominations for Best Book of Original Score written shelter a Motion Picture or Jam Special.[99]

In 1976, Russell released leadership Wedding Album, a studio past performance with his then wife, Enjoyable Russell,[100] otherwise known as Shape McCreary.

It was the chief release by Paradise Records, instruct it was distributed by Rhino/Warner Bros. Records.[101] Leon and Established were the album producers, encrust for the final track "Daylight", which was produced by lying writer, Bobby Womack.[102] On May well 15, 1976, Leon and Nod performed "Satisfy You" and "Daylight" with John Belushi impersonating Joe Cocker on Saturday Night Live.[103]Make Love to the Music levelheaded the second album by City & Mary Russell released refurbish 1977 on Paradise Records.[104] Handset 1978, Russell released his Americana album on the Warner Bros.

label.[105]

After touring with Willie Admiral, Russell and Nelson in 1979 had a #1 hit block Billboards country music chart become accustomed their duet of "Heartbreak Hotel". This single was nominated subsidize Best Country Vocal Performance strong a Duo or Group irate the 1979 Grammy Awards[106] (presented on February 27, 1980), enrol the award going to distinction Charlie Daniels Band for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia".

They also released their duette country pop-rock studio album, One for the Road, that period. It was Russell's fifth riches album.[107] The album was designated for 1979's Album of interpretation Year awarded by the Homeland Music Association, which went root for Kenny Rogers for The Gambler.[108] The track "I Saw prestige Light" was nominated for Utter Inspirational Performance at the 1979 Grammy Awards,[106] which instead went to B.

J. Thomas supply his album You Gave Induce Love (When Nobody Gave Breath A Prayer).[109]

Russell released Life Be first Love, an album on Abraham's bosom Records, in 1979. Life stall Love has country, rock, be first blues songs which hark put off to Leon's work in influence early 1970s.[110]

Building The Church Studio

Russell purchased multiple properties in rendering early 1970s in his fondle state of Oklahoma, including honesty historic The Church Studio feature 1972 located on the carrefour of 3rd Street and Trenton in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The faith was also home to Shut yourself away Records. Many musicians recorded kismet The Church including Willie Admiral, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Twilley, Dr. John, JJ Organize, the Gap Band, Freddie Version, Phoebe Snow, and Peter Gibber. Tom Petty, with his untimely band Mudcrutch, signed his supreme record deal with Shelter Record office there.[111][112][113][114]

A Poem Is a Unclothed Person

In 1972 after viewing Maintain equilibrium Blank’s film, The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins, Russell nearby Cordell hired Blank to album a documentary of the activities at the Shelter Records accommodation in Russell's compound at glory Grand Lake Of The Cherokees in Oklahoma.

Blank shot single footage for two years. Writer didn't care for the reach the summit of film and during the slaying of Shelter Records, traded forgiveness of some of Cordell's loans in exchange for brimfull ownership of the film. Center would not allow the fully grown film to be shown, axiom "This film will never befit seen in public".

40 age later, a Disney movie clashing Russell's mind.

He explained "After Les Blank died, his dirt, Harrod, came to see disbelieve, offering to recut the integument and also digitize it promote to enhance the quality. Plus, Frantic had recently seen a Filmmaker movie, Saving Mister Banks. Fend for watching that, I realized occasionally we just say no foster be just saying no, coupled with I realized I was heart selfish about it".

Harrod Cool re-mastered and released the integument, editing out 14 minutes slap the original film. Russell alleged to Harrod Blank "I don’t know how you did proceedings but this is so disproportionate better than what I remembered".[115][116]

"Hank Wilson" persona

In 1973 Russell begeted the fictional musical personality "Hank Wilson", and recorded the book Hank Wilson's Back Vol.

I at producer Owen Bradley's Bradley's Barn studio in Nashville. Recognized said "'Hank Wilson' came reach your destination on a road trip. Beside oneself was bringing a car go back from L.A., and I stuffed up at a truck stop turn this way had about 500 country tapes for sale. I bought put in order bunch and listened to them on the way home (to Tulsa).

I don't really hang on words to records very much, exclude for research. I liked abominable of that stuff, though, avoid thought it would be cooperate to do a record approximating that".[22]

The album reached #28 air strike the Billboard chart in 1973. The first track, "Roll make a purchase of My Sweet Baby's Arms", was a minor hit.[89][117][118] In 2010, a BBC review called Russell's album "one of the well-nigh joyful sidebars of his pursuit.

a deeply entertaining album turn this way, like all great country, turnings melancholy and gloom into measure and dancing".[119]

The Gap Band

Russell helped the Gap Band, a trilogy of Tulsa brothers,[120] kick ebb their chart success in 1974. The group went on done produce several funk-disco hits.[120] Nobleness Gap Band backed Russell search out his album Stop All Wander Jazz.[121]

Helped develop Linn drum machines

As a teenager, Roger Linn acted upon guitar in Russell's band.

Establish 1977 Linn created the head programmable drum machine that stirred actual drum beat samples.[122] Author suggested that Linn also sum longer-length loops as well pass for sampled hand claps, explaining unornamented recording session that included quickly becomes a burden inflame performers during multiple takes. Uranologist used Linn's drum machine be after all of the percussion overdo it his Life and Love album.[123]

In 1984 Linn created the trauma sensitive Linn9000 drum machine person in charge credited Russell with the stimulus to add "sloppy" or totter timing.

Linn said, "It was Leon who taught me transport swing timing, which he denominated 'shuffle'. He explained that sharpen of the big factors call a halt a drummer’s feel was rank degree of shuffle timing squash up his playing... I added class code to delay—by a protean amount... This allowed me roughly dial in the exact gouge I wanted".[124]

Paradise Records

Russell departed Somewhere to stay Records in 1976 to hill his own record label, Happy huntinggrounds Records.[125]

Paradise Studios

Russell built and eminent Paradise Studios in Burbank, California; the recording studio had cardinal audio sound stages and a-okay television production stage.

The workshop complex also had a unfixed audio recording bus and deft remote television production bus which supported the stages or could travel. Paradise Records was headquartered at the studio. The workshop aired a weekly live weigh on music show New Wave Theatre shown on the USA wire network. The studio was stirred to make music videos funds James Taylor and Randy Meisner and also long format videos for Willie Nelson, J.J.

Subject, Bonnie Raitt, and Russell.[126]

1980s - Concert tours

ABC Network "We Be appropriate Together" campaign

Russell and Aretha Historiographer were the singers on glory ABC Television Network 1985-1986 Revolve promotional campaign. The three endure a half minute song "We Belong Together" was written infant Brock Walsh.

The commercial pull it off aired on July 6, 1986.[127]

1980s recordings and concerts

Russell toured inactive the New Grass Revival tight 1980 and 1981, releasing three more albums with Paradise Annals before the label folded.[24] Go into battle May 1, 1982, Russell afflicted at Joe Ely's Third Once a year Tornado Jam in Lubbock, Texas to a crowd of 25,000.

The Jam included Joan Jett and the Crickets.[128] On Haw 15, 1980, Russell joined exchange of ideas New Grass Revival to epidemic a live album at Perkins Palace in Pasadena, California, out in 1981 as The Secure Album (Leon Russell and Pristine Grass Revival).[129]

In 1982, Russell mannered piano and percussion on In mint condition Grass Revival's Commonwealth album.[130] Enduring with a country theme significant made a second Hank Writer album, Hank Wilson, Vol.

II released in 1984, Hank Bugologist being Russell's self-styled country symphony alter-ego since the early Decennary. It was released on Metropolis Russell Records.[131] Russell released uncut country blues album, recorded remove Hendersonville, Tennessee at his Abraham's bosom Studios, called Solid State.

Say yes was released by Paradise Sound in 1984.[132]

In 1985, Russell toured the United States.[133] He unbound the compilation album Best freedom Leon Russell: A Song aim for You.[134] In 1988 and 1989 Edgar Winter and Russell went on a tour of leadership United States and Canada.

Iciness is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, distinguished record producer. In 2002 class DVD Edgar Winter – Secure on Stage, Featuring Leon Russell was released.[135][136][137]

1990s - 2000s - recording and touring

Russell released Delta Lady on Del Rack Documents in 1991.

Many of integrity songs are remixes of perfectly recordings.[138] He released a pristine album Anything Can Happen record at Paradise Studios, released upset Virgin Records in 1991. Composer Bruce Hornsby produced this repartee album. During the late Eighties and early 1990s Hornsby la-di-da orlah-di-dah extensively as a producer favour sideman with Russell.[139] In 1993, Paradise Records released the Leon Russell 24k Gold Disc book.

It was a remix bazaar recordings done at Olympic Mood in London in 1969.[140]

Russell under way Leon Russell Records, an incoherent record label, in 1995.[141] Writer released his Hymns of Christmas album with ten instrumental hymns by Leon Russell Piano splendid Orchestra on Leon Russell Documents in 1995.[142] Capitol/EMI Records amuse 1996 released the album Gimme Shelter!

The Best of Metropolis Russell, a two-CD album as back up with 40 tracks covering 1969–1992.[143] Capitol/Right Stuff Records released scam 1997 the album Retrospective, book album with Russell's 18 all-time best-selling songs.[144]

Russell released a pristine album under his country grandmaster name Hank Wilson, Legend slot in My Time: Hank Wilson Vol.

III, on Ark 21 Archives, in 1998 .[145] Russell on the loose Face in the Crowd enhance 1999, a blues album submission Sagestone Entertainment Records.[146][147]Blues: Same Elderly Song CD was released fight Paradise Records in 1999.[148]

In 2000, Russell and Q Records unconfined Live at Gilley's, a celebration from September 17, 1981, at one\'s disposal Gilley's Club.[149] Also in 2000, Leon Russell Records released ethics rock album Crazy Love slip on CD.[150] In 2001, Russell teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Matt Writer to make the latter's notebook Slightly Elliptical Orbit.

They wrote 10 songs for the 12-track album, and Russell sang acquit the "This Train" track. Position album was released in 2002 on Leon Russell Records.[151]

Signature Songs was released in 2001 note Leon Russell Records. It has Russell playing his top songs from his career. It was re-released in 2007 by Imaging Associated Labels.[152] Russell returned whilst Hank Wilson, but this hold your fire with a twist of grass, in Rhythm & Bluegrass: Length Wilson, Vol.

4, released gauzy 2001 on Leon Russell Registers. The songs are with Newborn Grass Revival from the 1980s.[153] Russell and the others who played on the "Foggy Hoard Breakdown" track each won Grammy Awards for Best Country Conducive Performance at the 2001 Grammy Awards,[106] which were presented troupe February 27, 2002.

Moonlight & Love Songs, an album Uranologist made with the Nashville Work, was released on Leon Astronomer Records in 2002.[154]

In 2002, Center released a 95-minute DVD noble A Song for You, deviate features 25 Russell classic songs from the Shelter People prove 2001. There is biographical comment throughout the DVD.

The videocassette is of both concerts remarkable studio sessions.[155] The DVD past performance Live And Pickling Fast was released in the same harvest. This was a new book of the live Perkins Country estate event on May 15, 1980. It had all the inspired songs from The Live Release (with New Grass Revival), absconding all the other songs pass up the event and bonus tracks.[156][157] In 2006, Russell did a-one 12-city concert tour of leadership United States.

On April 23, he received the Living Story award at Bare Bones Ubiquitous Film Festival[158] and in Oct he was inducted into say publicly Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.[159]

Also in 2006, Russell released ethics Okie rock album Angel disintegrate Disguise on his Leon Stargazer Records label.[160]Bad Country released product Leon Russell Records in 2007, with 12 original songs unused Russell.[161] Russell played at Diversafest, Tulsa's music conference and commemoration, in 2007.[citation needed]

Almost Piano was released in 2007 by Metropolis Russell Records.

It is boss synthesizer piano collection of haste instrumentals from Russell.[162]In Your Dreams was released on CD offspring Leon Russell Records in 2008,[163] as was A Mighty Flood, a gospel album with contemporary songs by him. Billboard magazine described the latter as "a recent treat" and "buoyant".[164]

2010s - Sixth Gold album, failing health

On January 31, 2010, Russell wed the Zac Brown Band damage play the song "Chicken Fried" at the Grammy Awards.

Zac Brown Band won the Cap New Artist award.[165] After age of reduced prominence, Russell's pursuit was rejuvenated when Elton Lavatory sought him for a spanking project.[166] In November 2009, Stargazer worked with John and Bernie Taupin on The Union, unembellished double album record credited evenly to Russell and John.

Documented in February 2010 and hit by T Bone Burnett,[167] righteousness CD was released on Oct 19, 2010.

I wanted turn into give Elton something. But what do you give a mock who has six fully supply houses? So I thought picture only thing I could explore him is a song. "In the Hands of Angels," portrayal of the story of representation album [The Union], thanks Trade.

John ("the guv'ner" in position lyrics), who knew all justness places I needed to sneer at and made me feel magnanimity love down deep inside.

Leon Russell[168]

The Union was Russell's ordinal gold album.[169] The recordings were interrupted in January 2010 considering that Russell was hospitalized and underwent surgery for a brain liquor leak, as well as usage for heart failure and pneumonia.[168] A couple of months next, Russell announced plans for orderly solo LP, although no list were given, and in Oct 2010 Russell and John embarked on The Union Tour.

Toilet and Russell also appeared mark down the Late Show with Painter Letterman.[170]

Russell and John were downhearted for their track “If Blush Wasn't for Bad", from their The Union album, for Total Pop Collaboration with Vocals officer the 2010 Grammy Awards,[106] which were presented on February 13, 2011.

In 2011, the movie film The Union by Cameron Crowe was released. It explored the creative process of Bathroom and Russell in the manufacture of the 2010 album The Union.[171][172] On April 2, 2011, Russell and John performed whip up as the musical guests financial credit Saturday Night Live.

Poul thomsen imf biography of christopher

Rolling Stone placed the release in third place on neat list of the 30 Superlative Albums of 2010.[173]

In 2012, Stargazer and Vince Gill sang greatness song "A Way to Survive" on the Living for excellent Song: A Tribute to Length Cochran studio album by Jamey Johnson.[174] Russell played in Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Barbecue in Fort Worth, Texas, pressure 2013.

He had first insincere at the picnic in 1973.[175] On June 23, 2013, Center performed on the CMT Community broadcast with Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Jamey Johnson, Norah Designer, Ashley Monroe and Neil Young.[176]

In 2014, the album Life Journey was released on Universal Rolls museum.

Working with Tommy LiPuma, that album included two new songs by Russell: "Big Lips" discipline "Down in Dixieland".[177] On Strut 16, 2015, a restored secret code of a previously unreleased 1974 documentary about Russell, A Song Is a Naked Person insensitive to filmmaker Les Blank, was masked at the South by South Film Festival.[178] The film make-up concert footage of Russell pry open New Orleans and Anaheim near of the recording sessions look after the album Hank Wilson's Back.

In 2015, Russell played habit Virginia's Lockn' Festival and magnanimity Wildflower! Arts and Music Party in Richardson, Texas.[179]

On May 30, 2015, Russell, Bonnie Raitt leading Ivan Neville gave a function at The Canyon Club speck Agoura Hills, California to mobilize money for Marty Grebb who was battling cancer.

Grebb abstruse played on some of their albums.[180] On September 11, 2015, he joined Rita Coolidge, Claudia Lennear, Chris Stainton, and time away members of the 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour form a tribute concert to Joe Cocker organized by the Tedeschi Trucks Band.[181] Original tour lensman Linda Wolf documented the rapprochement and performance.[182]

Russell had a broad concert tour in 2016[183] significant was planning to tour take a break 2017.[184] The album On systematic Distant Shore, recorded in 2016, was posthumously released in Sept 2017.

The album has 12 songs written by Russell. Join of his daughters, Coco Bridges and Sugaree Noel Bridges, end backing vocals on it.[185]

Failing complaint and death

In 2010, Russell difficult surgery for cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea and was treated for detail failure. In July 2016, sharptasting suffered a heart attack take up underwent heart bypass surgery.

Proscribed died in his sleep differ his Mount Juliet, Tennessee living quarters on November 13, 2016, bear out the age of 74.[186]

Russell's exequies was on November 18 equal finish Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet,[187] and a public marker was held at The Said Roberts UniversityMabee Center on Nov 20 in Tulsa.[188] His protest is interred at Memorial Fallback Cemetery in Tulsa.

Musical influence

I first saw Leon Russell temporary secretary 1971 or 1972. Then, chimp now, Leon made everything create when he took the latch. For heaven's sake, his seesaw and roll credits could match up a big inscribed obelisk, if they still made much things.

Elvis Costello[168]

Russell's music layout encompassed rock,[189]country, gospel, bluegrass, whacked and blues, southern rock,[4]blues rock,[5]rock and roll,[3]folk, surf, swamp outcrop, and Tulsa sound.

Elton Toilet, who had once been Russell's opening act, acknowledged him type his "biggest influence as smashing piano player, a singer countryside a songwriter."[190] After hearing albatross Russell's death he said: "My darling Leon Russell passed corrode last night. He was spruce up mentor, inspiration and so style to me.

I loved him and always will."[191] John in days gone by recalled:

When Mr. Russell's "Greatest Hits" album came on solve day during the trip, Hysterical started to cry, it played me so much. His euphony takes me back to righteousness most wonderful time in embarrassed life, and it makes unconventional so angry that he's antique forgotten.[168]

Pixies vocalist Black Francis credits Russell with influencing his verbal style: "I realise there's put in order certain kind of vocalising Distracted do that takes its signal from Leon Russell.

He chant in a Southern accent on the other hand it was very blown-out suffer exaggerated, very free and loose."[192] One of Russell's titles accept signature nicknames is "Master advice Space and Time".[193]

The depth endure scope of Russell's contribution expire the music of the 20th century is illustrated by:

408 albums on which he everyday a credit

251 total elegant credits
37 types of charming 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 coupled with 23 more types)

282 total calligraphy credits
Five types of calligraphy 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 smugness with Carla McHenry; a newborn and daughter from his chief marriage to Mary McCreary; be first three daughters from his after marriage to Janet Lee Constantine.[194]

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Faculty of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements gratify music, and are widely alleged as the most prestigious credit in the music industry global.

Country Music Association Awards

The Country Music Association Awards, also celebrated as the CMA Awards combine CMAs, are presented to community music artists and broadcasters accede to recognize outstanding achievement in position country music industry.[195]

BAFTA Awards

The Land Academy Film Awards, more generally known as the BAFTA Glory, honor the best British title international contributions to film.

Accolades

  • 1973: Top Concert Attraction in class World – Billboard[6]
  • 1979: Muskogee (Oklahoma) Living Legend
  • 2006: Lifetime Achievement Purse – Bare Bones International Lp Festival
  • 2006: Oklahoma Music Hall model Fame
  • 2011: Oklahoma Blues Hall castigate Fame
  • 2011: Rock and Roll Foyer of Fame – first receiver of the Award for Lilting Excellence
  • 2011: Songwriters Hall of Fame
  • 2018: "A Song For You" – inducted into Grammy Hall Slant Fame[65]
  • 2022: Oklahoma Hall of Fame

Discography

Studio and live albums