gold star for USAHOF

RIP: Leon Russell

RIP: Leon Russell
13 Nov
2016
Not in Hall of Fame
In the span of a week, we have lost two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

It was announced today that Leon Russell, 74, died in his sleep in his home in Nashville, Tennessee.

From Tulsa, Oklahoma, it is difficult to state just what the man with the signature long white hair and beard is known best for.  Russell’s origins in Tulsa took him to become one of the most requested session musicians in the 1960’s, becoming part of the famed “Wrecking Crew” in Los Angeles.  The multi-talented Russell played on “This Diamond Ring” by Gary Lewis and the Playboys and the xylophone of Brian Hyland’s hit, “The Joker was Wild” just to name a few.  Russell had also established himself as a songwriter, again collaborating with Gary Lewis and the Playboys with minor hits, “Everybody Loves a Clown” and “She’s Just My Style”.  That in itself is a solid career, but by decade’s end, it was clear that Leon Russell was just getting started.

Russell would begin touring with Delaney & Bonnie, where he would meet other musicians like Joe Cocker and George Harrison, with whom he would work with.  He would pen “Delta Lady” for Joe Cocker and in 1970 would lead the Mad Dogs and Englishmen band for Cocker in what would be his most significant tour.  He would finally release his first solo album, named appropriately, “Leon Russell”, which featured “A Song for You”, which would be covered by a myriad of artists in the years that followed.

The 1970’s saw Russell continue being a true renaissance man of the business.  He would play the famous Concert for Bangladesh with George Harrison in 1971 and would collaborate with Bob Dylan, producing and performing songs for him and would tour with the Rolling Stones.  All the while, Russell was still putting out acclaimed solo albums on his own.

He would foray into Country music under the pseudonym, Hank Wilson and would help the Funk group, The Gap Band get their start by backing them on their 1974 album.  Russell was established as an excellent live performer, session musician, singer, songwriter and everyman in the business. 

As the years progressed and Leon Russell would become one of the elder statesman multiple musicians cited him as a major influence.  Russell would still record and write songs and collaborate on an album Elton John in 2010 called “The Union”.  For his efforts in music, Russell was inducted into both the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends, family and fans of Leon Russell.



Committee Chairman

Kirk Buchner, "The Committee Chairman", is the owner and operator of the site.  Kirk can be contacted at [email protected] . Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Comments powered by CComment