There isn't enough room on my little corner of the internet to even scratch the surface of Leon Russells contribution to music. It is vast, all-encompassing and seemingly endless.
He was 14 years old when he joined The Starlighters, playing alongside J.J. Cale in Tulsa nightclubs. Born Claude Russell Bridges he started calling himself Leon because of the fake I.D. his friend gave him so he could get into the clubs to perform.
In the 60's he was one of the most sought after session musicians around. The list of people he supported and albums he played on is way too long to list but basically included .. um .. anyone you can think of !! He was also writing songs, including Joe Cockers 'Delta Lady', George Bensons 'This Masquerade' and The Carpenters 'Superstar'.
Add to that his work as a producer. I have an album called 'Dylan Jazz' by the Gene Norman Group, released in 1965. As the title suggests, it's interpretations of Bob Dylan songs, but with a couple of interesting twists. Jim Horn (remember that name for later) played saxaphone, Glen Campbell played guitar and Leon Russell produced it.
Leon was part of the ensemble 'Delaney & Bonnie and Friends' during '69 and '70 - other members who came and went included George Harrison, 2 of the Allman Brothers, Dave Mason (from Traffic), Eric Clapton, Rita Coolidge and more.
1970 was also the year he was involved in the Joe Cocker tour, concert, movie and general mayhem of 'Mad Dogs & Englishmen' and he still found time to go into the studio and record his eponymous debut solo album. The album included the track 'A Song For You', often thought to be one of Leon's best and recorded by over 200 other artists.
More notable though was the list of people almost queuing up to be on the album with him. Take a deep breath .. here we go .. Klaus Voorman, Mick Jagger, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Eric Clapton, Jim Horn (remember Jim?), Steve Winwood, Delaney & Bonnie, Joe Cocker et al.
Fast forward a few years, to his sixth studio album, and we get to 'Will O' The Wisp'. The backup on this one again includes Jim Horn but also reaches way back and brings in his old friend and band-mate from when he was just 14 years old .. J.J. Cale. I bought this album for one track and then grew into the rest. The one track I loved then and love now is 'Back To The Island'. Add to that the other songs Leon has played over the years and albums .. 'Tight Rope', 'Roll Away The Stone', 'Bluebird', 'Lady Blue' and you have not only a great singer, writer, producer and musician but someone who played an integral part in the musical careers of so many other artists.
There was a great quote from Graham Reid on the website Elsewhere.co.nz .. "Leon Russell is like the Kevin Bacon of rock: there are six degrees of separation between him and anyone else. Actually, that's not true. There are about three."
To be honest I'd take it further. In many cases, there is no separation. They stand shoulder to shoulder.
Leon passed away peacefully in his sleep in 2016 aged 74.
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