Where Are they Now Series - Leon Russell

[winston]

Leon Russell who's was born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942, in Lawton, OK, is one of the most influential session men in the business. He has played with some of the greatest luminaries in the music business.

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"At 14, Russell lied about his age to land a gig at a Tulsa nightclub, playing behind Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks before touring in support of Jerry Lee Lewis. Two years later, he settled in Los Angeles, studying guitar under the legendary James Burton and appearing on sessions with Dorsey Burnette and Glen Campbell. As a member of Spector's renowned studio group, Russell played on many of the finest pop singles of the 1960s, also arranging classics like Ike & Tina Turner's monumental "River Deep, Mountain High"; other hits bearing his input include the Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man," Gary Lewis & the Playboys' "This Diamond Ring," and Herb Alpert's "A Taste of Honey."

In 1967, Russell built his own recording studio, teaming with guitarist Marc Benno to record the acclaimed Look Inside the Asylum Choir LP. While touring with Delaney & Bonnie, he scored his first songwriting hit with Joe Cocker's reading of "Delta Lady," and in 1970, upon founding his own Shelter Records imprint, he also organized Cocker's legendary Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. After the subsequent tour film earned Russell his first real mainstream notoriety, he issued a self-titled solo LP, and in 1971 appeared at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh following sessions for B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan. After touring with the Rolling Stones, Russell increasingly focused on his solo career, reaching the number two spot with 1972's Carny and scoring his first pop hit with the single "Tight Rope."

After switching genres he had a few dispointing releases. Leon then teamed with Willie Nelson for 1979's Willie & Leon. He then spent the next two years touring with his bluegrass band, the New Grass Revival.

Here's a short list of people he has worked with:

Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Edgar Winter, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, J.J. Cale, David Gates, Bruce Hornsby, Hal Blaine, Tommy Tedesco, Bobby "Boris" Pickett, B.B. King, Freddie King, Bill Wyman, Steve Cropper, Carl Radle, Chuck Blackwell, Don Preston, Jesse Ed Davis, Rita Coolidge, Gram Parsons, Barbra Streisand, Ike & Tina Turner, Ricky Nelson, Herb Alpert, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Ann-Margret, Dean Martin, Marvin Gaye, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood, and groups such as Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, The Monkees, The Astronauts, The Accents, The Fencemen, The Ventures, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Jan & Dean, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Rolling Stones, The Ronettes, The Crystals, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Everly Brothers, The Righteous Brothers, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Tractors etc..............

Other than a 1998 release of Hank Wilson, Vol. 3: Legend in My Time. I have lost track of him. So where is this legendary music icon now?

Source: Jason Ankeny

[wayang]

Well, I couldn't tell you where he is RIGHT now, but he'll be playing at the Soiled Dove here in Denver on July 1. Leon is fabulous...the coolest thing to come out of Oklahoma since Will Rogers. Here's what he looked and sounded like in 1964:

[wj350]

He wrote or co-wrote two of my favorite ballads from the '70s era--"This Masquerade" and "Superstar".

Bill

[winston]

I am glad he's still on the circuit, but the Soiled Dove is a strange name for a venue don't you think? Are you going to see him Dane? He's an incredible performer.

[wayang]

Incredible is right, Brian...I may be out in LA visiting my family at that time, but if not I'll definitely be seeing Leon. A few of my favorites from his catalog...for delightful spookiness: "Stranger In A Strange Land", "Out In The Woods" and his cover of Harrison's "Beware Of Darkness"; for sheer piano slamming: "Of Thee I Sing" and (with Joe Cocker) "Hitchcock Railway"; and, of course, that old inspirational Agnostic hymn, "Roll Away The Stone"...

I agree, The Soiled Dove is an odd name, but that's Rock-n-Roll fo' ya, baby...I played a few times at their old location downtown, but I haven't been to the new spot since they moved. A good friend of mine (a Canadian 'frostback') is the sound man there...he's been telling me to come down and check out the new room. It's tempting, especially this Saturday night...if I can clear my calendar to get down there, I'll have a chance to see one of my very favorite American bands. I used to hang outside of venues in Phoenix when I was underage to hear them when they were known as The Beans...most people are familiar with their work after they moved to S.F. and changed their name to The Tubes...

[wints]

Leon Russell certainly has a resume to be proud of....Impressive.

OT, but every time I remember seeing a picture of The Tubes in the late 70's of a certain Mr Waybill, the word "member" comes to mind...