Piano Legend Leon Russell Has Passed Away
From country to rock, from the studio to the stage, from collaborations with Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, and Frank Sinatra, Leon Russell was popular music’s piano man for a generation. And now he has joined the list of music legends who took their final breath in 2016.
Born in Lawton, Oklahoma on April 2nd, 1942, Leon Russell started his music career as a piano player in the clubs and honky tonks of Tulsa when he was 14-years-old, including in his first official group The Starlighters which also included guitar player J.J. Cale. After moving to Los Angeles in 1958 to pursue music, Russell became one of the most in demand session musicians in the history of American music, becoming part of “The Wrecking Crew”—a collective of studio musicians who can be found on an incredible list of hits for a wide range of performers in the 1960.
To name just a few of the artists Leon Russell played piano and guitar for, George Harrison, Gram Parsons, The Byrds, Doris Day, Elton John, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, The Beach Boys, the Ventures, Willie Nelson, Badfinger, Ringo Starr, Tijuana Brass, Frank Sinatra, The Band, Bob Dylan, J.J. Cale, B.B. King, Dave Mason, Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker and the Rolling Stones all featured Leon Russell on prominent tracks.
Through this period, Leon Russell also signed his own recording contract with Dot records, and was also writing songs, most notably compositions for Gary Lewis. But it wasn’t until the 70’s when popular music began to recognize Russell’s talents and contributions to others, and he became of of the most hot hands in music as both a songwriter and a duet partner with many of the major artists of the day, especially after Joe Cocker released the Leon Russell song “Delta Lady” on his self-named album from 1969 that Leon Russell produced.
Songs like Leon Russell’s “Superstar” went on to be covered by The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, and Sonic Youth. Russell’s “A Song For You” has been covered by Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Willie Nelson, Whitney Houston, and even newer artists such as Amy Winehouse and Christina Aguilera. Leon’s “Shine a Light” made it onto The Rolling Stones’ legendary record Exile on Main Street. And these a just a few of the legendary cuts Leon Russell landed during the era, continuing to increase his prestige among musical peers and fans alike who kept seeing his name in the liner notes of legendary records as a songwriter or musician.
Leon Russell was asked to be the musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1976, illustrating his star appeal, even though he never had a single crack the Top 10. In 1977, Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade” recorded by George Benson won the Grammy for Record of the Year. This once behind-the-scenes session player was now one of the hottest names in music, and it seemed everyone wanted to work with Leon Russell.
Among Russell’s admirers was Willie Nelson, who was the hot hand in country music at the time. When Leon played Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic in 1976, it would be the start of a relationship that would last Leon Russell’s lifetime, crowned by their #1 single in country, “Heartbreak Hotel” off of their Gold record from 1979, One For The Road. Nelson and Russell would continue to collaborate throughout the years, and Russell became a regular of Nelson’s 4th of July Picnics.
Like many artists from the 60’s and 70’s, Leon Russell’s popular career began to decline throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s, though he was considered a legend throughout music. In 2009, interest in Russell’s career found a resurgence after working with Elton John, and in 2011 he was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Leon Russell died Sunday (11-13) at the age of 74. He was suffering from health problems recently, including a heart attack in July.
Hillbilly Sheep
November 13, 2016 @ 9:39 am
In 1973 Leon released an album of country cover under the alter ego of Hank Wilson.
The album ‘Hank Wilson’s Back Vol.1 included Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms,She Thinks I Still Care, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Jambalya, Am I That Easy to Forget?, The Window Up Above, Lost Highway, Goodnight Irene.
Vol.2 was released in 1984 and Vol. 3 in 1998
RIP Leon.
Gena R.
November 13, 2016 @ 11:06 am
Aw. 🙁 RIP Leon…
Kenny M
November 13, 2016 @ 11:30 am
Sad day here in Tulsa.
Brett
November 13, 2016 @ 12:09 pm
This year has been a downer! Geeez! This is odd because i have recently been diggin in to Leons catalog because it seems like he has collaborated with many of my favorite artists. Very cool how he incorporated southern rock, soul, and jazz infused piano in his music. I love “Shootout on the Plantation.” It flat out rocks, giver a listen if you never heard it.
Marky Mark
November 13, 2016 @ 4:45 pm
I know your list of covers of his songs is not intended to be all inclusive, but I’ll add that Ryan Adams did a great cover of A Song For You as well. Not on any of his official releases, but worth searching out.
The Devil made me do it the first time
November 14, 2016 @ 12:22 pm
That Ryan Adams cover is of the Gram Parsons tune – not the Leon Russell song. Same name, different song. The cover is actually by Whiskeytown, Adams’ band before striking out on his own, and it appears on “Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons.”
And Marky Mark is right – it’s worth searching out.
Marky Mark
November 15, 2016 @ 7:31 am
Funny, you think you know your stuff on music and yet there is always more to learn! (Or I am getting old and forgetting what I had already learned.). Thanks The Devil etc, I guess I better go check out Leon Russell’s song, I guess I don’t know that one. ?
Horace Hucker
November 13, 2016 @ 9:11 pm
Not saying it’s a good thing he’s passed, but it’s somewhat appropriate. 2016 will be remembered as a year when so many iconic musicians passed on, which makes it fitting that Leon Russell would join their ranks. So underappreciated, except by those who worked with him.
Chacha
October 1, 2017 @ 6:18 pm
He was appreciated by many musicians, not just the ones that worked with him and he had a large, loyal fanbase. Thanks to Elton, many younger ones know him now. Leon was the MOSAT and alway will be.
Bertox
November 13, 2016 @ 9:31 pm
Leon sings with the angels
The Senator
November 14, 2016 @ 8:17 am
I saw ol’ Leon a few years back. He couldn’t get around very well, but as soon as he sat himself down at the keys, and warmed up a bit, he was great.
I vividly remember that when it came time to end the set and wait for the encore, Leon said something to the effect; “This would usually be the time where I’d get up and go to the back, and you’d cheer for me to come back out and play another song, but I ain’t walking too well, so I’m just going to stay right here, and you can cheer for a bit before I play another song.”
He will certainly be missed. Nobody, and I mean nobody was better at finding that intersection between rock, country, soul, and gospel. Cosmic American Music, he called it.
CapnWain
November 14, 2016 @ 2:41 pm
Never saw him when I was younger, then saw him at Merlefest a few years ago. But I was really fortunate to see him a year ago in an intimate 300 seat show at a local museum that showcased the Les Blank documentary made about Russell back in the 70s first, then Leon and his band played a set. I was 2nd row, front and center. It was awesome.
RD
November 14, 2016 @ 3:28 pm
Leon Russell was great. His version of A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall is the best.
Mule
November 17, 2016 @ 10:45 am
R.I.P. to the Master of Space and Time. There was no one like him.
If you loved American rock n roll in the 1960s, you loved Leon’s playing – whether you knew it or not.
Linda Darnold
January 27, 2021 @ 12:04 pm
Leon was one of a kind, never will be another. He was a genius and is loved and missed by many!
Jimmy Hotz
November 20, 2016 @ 11:23 am
Leon my friend, I will always treasure the creative times we spent together in the studio and on the road. Our conversations about the deeper things of God, remain highlights of those times. I have unwavering faith that through our acceptance of the gift of God’s Love and mercy, which was manifest in His Son Jesus, we shall meet again and share grand adventures beyond the bonds of this world. May God comfort your Family and friends, as you will be sorely missed.
Your brother in Christ,
Jimmy Hotz
Gary Nickelson
February 4, 2022 @ 7:04 am
My dear friend Ann Bell, toured with Dr Leon, and Joe Cocker as a back up singer. She was also married to the Late Great Michael Lang, Woodstock 68. Loved Leons’ collaboration with The Great Elton John.