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Post by the Scribe on Nov 13, 2016 10:03:44 GMT -5
LEON RUSSELL DEAD AT 74
Leon Russell, musician known for dynamic performances, dies at 74
Leon Russell, who emerged in the '70s as one of rock'n'roll's most dynamic performers and songwriters after playing anonymously on dozens of pop hits as a much-in-demand studio pianist in the 1960s, died on Sunday at the age of 74, according to his website.
Russell, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, died in his sleep in Nashville, Tennessee, his wife said in a statement on the website.
Russell had endured health problems in his later years, undergoing surgery to stop leaking brain fluid in 2010 and suffering a heart attack in July 2016.
Russell's period of stardom as a performer was relatively brief but Elton John, who had once been Russell's opening act, engineered a comeback for him in 2010 when they collaborated on an album titled "The Union."
"He was my biggest influence as a piano player, a singer and a songwriter," John told ABC News.
Russell recorded more than 35 albums and also excelled as a songwriter for other performers. His "A Song for You" was recorded by Joe Cocker, the Carpenters, the Temptations, Neil Diamond, Lou Rawls, Dusty Springfield, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and his good friend Willie Nelson. The Carpenters, Reddy, Shirley Bassey, Robert Goulet and George Benson all covered Russell's "This Masquerade," with Benson's version winning the 1976 Grammy as record of the year.
Russell was known as "the master of space and time" in his '70s heyday. He wore a cocked top hat and, with salt-and-pepper hair past his shoulders and a beard that reached his chest, created an inscrutable image that was equal parts shaman, tent revival preacher and cosmic ringmaster.
He ruled the stage with piano-banging abandon and, backed by a multi-piece band and a backup chorus, put on a show that was a roiling stew of rock, soul, gospel and country.
WRECKING CREW
He was born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942, and grew up in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area. He was playing in bars at age 14 and joined a band that included J.J. Cale, who also would go on to music stardom.
Russell moved to Los Angeles as American music was taking a new shape. He became part of a talented pool of studio musicians known informally as the Wrecking Crew who provided back up for pop and rock hits of the early and mid-1960s, including those by Jan and Dean, the Beach Boys, the Monkees and the Byrds. Russell also was part of producer Phil Spector's trademark "Wall of Sound" recording team.
Russell also played guitar, worked as an arranger, songwriter and piano player for the house band on the popular television dance show "Shindig."
He eased into the spotlight in 1970 as a driving force on Joe Cocker's landmark Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. Russell assembled the 20-piece band, which came with a legion of hangers-on, and served as its leader on a riotous two-month U.S. tour that spawned a double-disc live album and a documentary film.
His work with Cocker, an appearance in the film about George Harrison's 1971 "Concert for Bangladesh" and his first solo album, which featured contributions from three Rolling Stones and two Beatles, made Russell a star in his own right in 1970.
In 1969 Russell and Denny Cordell started Shelter Records, which put out recordings by Russell, Cale, Freddie King, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Phoebe Snow.
After his rock stardom faded, Russell adopted the alter ego of Hank Wilson for several albums of country classics that let him turn loose his Oklahoma twang.
Although he continued recording and touring, Russell was far from the spotlight in the 1990s and 2000s until he and John recorded "The Union" and went on a short joint tour. John said he was inspired to collaborate when he was moved to tears upon rehearing Russell's song "Back to the Island."
Russell, who had to have surgery because of leaking brain fluid a week before going into the studio, said it was the first time he had heard from John in 35 years.
"If Leon can get the accolades he deserves and be financially OK for the rest of his life, I will have done something decent with my music," John told the New York Times.
The Russell-written song "If It Wasn't for Bad" off "The Union" received a Grammy nomination.
(Reporting by Bill Trott; Additional reporting by David Ingram; Editing by James Dalgleish)
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Post by erik on Nov 13, 2016 12:10:57 GMT -5
When is the bleeding going to stop?!
Seriously, this is horrible to have such a legendary figure pass away, someone who had so much to do with so much great music coming into being.
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Post by sliderocker on Nov 13, 2016 14:46:54 GMT -5
When is the bleeding going to stop?! Seriously, this is horrible to have such a legendary figure pass away, someone who had so much to do with so much great music coming into being. The deaths of so many legendary figures passing away will never stop, just as it will never stop for us. Death is one of the three things most of us all have in common: we were born, we're living and we will die. Everything else that we acquired, whatever they were, were the things that made us unique and uniquely different from each other but in the end, we leave this world with none of that. About Leon, the guy was fascinating as he seemed to almost have a connection to every single artist who made music. It wasn't mentioned in the story above, but he played on Elvis' recording sessions for "Viva Las Vegas." I believe it was said he arranged the title song, which was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Elvis loved Leon's freaky nature and loved his music. Leon's "Delta Lady" was one of the songs Elvis rehearsed in Las Vegas for his shows and for possible consideration on his own recording sessions, which sadly was apparently recorded by anyone. And Leon was a part of George Harrison's "Concert for Bangla-Desh," both as artist and backing musician. He was mostly known for playing piano and other keyboards, although he also played guitar and bass as well. During the 70s, he stayed close to home in Tulsa, sometimes appearing on local television shows and running Shelter Records from his ranch home close to Tulsa. He also had a recording studio there. I don't know if Leon ever played on a session by Linda. I can't recall ever seeing his name listed in the session credits but it's possible he may have. Again, he had an incredible connection to just about every pop and rock ever recorded in the 60s and worked with many even while his own career was going. That's someone whose presence will be missed and the accolades will likely be given him in death for his contributions in music that should've been acknowledged while he was still with us. May Leon truly rest in peace. |
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Post by ISLAND GIRL on Nov 13, 2016 18:24:39 GMT -5
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Post by goldie on Nov 14, 2016 6:32:52 GMT -5
Leon is one of the most famous musicians that few today have ever heard about. Here he is on a CBS This Morning episode with Elton John and a clip of the Wrecking Crew with Cher. This is a great loss.
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Post by fabtastique on Nov 14, 2016 12:23:24 GMT -5
Superstar is one of my most favourite songs .... another great man gone.
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Post by erik on Nov 14, 2016 19:16:17 GMT -5
Quote by sliderocker re. possible Leon Russell/Linda Ronstadt connection:
Linda likely knew of Leon, but I don't believe he ever played on any one of her sessions.
The closest I think he ever got to working with Linda was when she worked with a friend of hers at the time, one Gram Parsons and his band The Flying Burrito Brothers. Russell played piano on the Burritos' version of the Mick Jagger/Keith Richards song "Wild Horses", which, incredibly, was released by the Burritos (on their 1970 album Burrito Deluxe) a year before Mick and Keith put their version out (on the Stones' 1971 album Sticky Fingers).
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Post by goldie on Nov 17, 2016 1:52:20 GMT -5
Superstar is one of my most favourite songs .... another great man gone. Oh yes. That is a wonderful song especially sung by the likes of Karen Carpenter. She understood the value and importance of many of Leon's songs. |
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Post by fabtastique on Nov 17, 2016 1:55:05 GMT -5
Bette Midler and Elkie Brooks both also did wonderful versions of Superstar - those of you outside of the UK probably won't know Elkie but she's worth checking out. Great singer.
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Post by the Scribe on Nov 21, 2016 3:06:10 GMT -5
A very touching memorial service for Leon with some great moments. I'm glad this was filmed. It's important.
Published on Nov 20, 2016
Memorial service for Leon Russell on November 18, 2016 at Victory Baptist Church. Available in HD.
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Post by erik on Nov 21, 2016 9:32:36 GMT -5
Brother Ray covers "A Song For You":
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Post by ronstadtfanaz 2 on Nov 21, 2016 9:42:10 GMT -5
wow!
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Post by Cookies on Aug 1, 2018 21:17:44 GMT -5
Check out Bonnie Bramlett singing superstar to see how it is supposed to sound:)
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