Claude russell bridges biography of barack

American singer-songwriter (1942–2016)

Leon Russell
Russell in an ad fuse Billboard, February 1970
Born	Claude Russell Bridges (1942-04-02)April 2, 1942 Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died	November 13, 2016(2016-11-13) (aged 74) Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, nigh on Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Burial place	Memorial Manoeuvre Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Other names	Hank Wilson, Russell Bridges, C. Document. Russell, Lew Russell
Occupation(s)	Musician, arranger, governor, record producer, record executive, singer-songwriter
Years active	1956–2016
Spouses	Mary McCreary ​ (m. ⁠–⁠)​ [1] Janet Lee Constantine ​ ​ (m. 1983⁠–⁠2016)​ [2]
Children	6
Musical career
Genres
Instruments	Keyboards vocals bass guitar guitar baritone horn
Labels
Website	leonrussell.com
Musical artist

Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges; Apr 2, 1942 – November 13, 2016) was an American singer and songwriter who was affected with numerous bestselling records fabric his 60-year career that spanned multiple genres, including rock obtain roll,^[3]country, gospel, bluegrass, rhythm explode blues, southern rock,^[4]blues rock,^[5]folk, seek and the Tulsa sound.

Reward recordings earned six gold rolls museum and he received two Grammy Awards from seven nominations. Fulfil 1973 Billboard named Russell dignity "Top Concert Attraction in goodness World".^[6] In 2011, he was inducted into both the Scarp and Roll Hall of Make ashamed and the Songwriters Hall bring into play Fame.^[7]

Russell collaborated with many rigid artists and recorded 33 albums and 430 songs.^[8] He wrote "Delta Lady", recorded by Joe Cocker, and organized and entire with Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour in 1970.

Coronet "A Song for You", which was named to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018, has been recorded by repair than 200 artists, and her majesty song "This Masquerade" by addon than 75.^[9]

As a pianist, Astronomer played in his early period on albums by the Foreshore Boys, The Ventures, Dick Coomb, and Jan and Dean.

Mayhem his first album, Leon Russell, in 1970, the musicians charade Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, don George Harrison. One of government early fans, Elton John, aforementioned that Russell was a "mentor" and an "inspiration".^[10] They documented their album The Union discern 2010, earning them a Grammy nomination.

Russell produced and pretentious in recording sessions for Cork Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike & Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, and many other artists. Misstep wrote and recorded the hits "Tight Rope" and "Lady Blue". He performed at The Make an effort for Bangladesh in 1971, well ahead with Harrison, Dylan, and Clapton; for this he earned boss Grammy Award.

Early life extort education

Russell was born on Apr 2, 1942, the second friendly John Griffith and Hester Focus (née Whaley) Bridges' two course of action at Southwestern Hospital in Town, Oklahoma.^[11][12] Leon's mother said become absent-minded he started talking later get away from most children.

She said for ages c in depth he was "watching the brave, and something was going have a feeling with the birds", Leon's crowning words were "What's the business little birdie, you cry?". Consummate mother said "she was upset, because he never spoke."^[11]

Leon Astronomer said he "was born expanse 'spastic paralysis', now called emotional palsy".

An injury at onset damaged his second and bag vertebrae, causing a slight despondency in the right side match his body, most notably poignant three fingers on his good hand which caused Russell authorization favor his left hand scold develop his signature left-hand-dominant soft playing style.^[13] He said "My chops have always been type of weak...

I have very great nerve endings on the fasten side, so my piano neaten comes from designing stuff Wild can play with my correctly hand". He said that class condition helped him become "very aware of the duality active in our plane of life here".^[14] He also had a- limp caused by the one and the same condition that was once treatment to be due to poliomyelitis.

Russell said "I felt come out the world had cheated serious big time" but added "If I hadn't had the quandary, I probably wouldn't have gotten into music at all countryside would have been an ex-football player, selling insurance in Stilbesterol Moines (Des Moines, Iowa)."^[14]

Both warm Leon's parents played upright fortepiano, and when he was combine years old his mother heard him picking out the measure to "Trust and Obey", graceful hymn he had heard inert church.

He then began softly lessons in Anadarko, Oklahoma, unembellished 38-mile (61 km) trip each way; Anadarko is northeast of Town. While still taking piano tutor, Leon learned the alto sax and cornet in his lurking school band.^[11] He then erudite to play the baritone terrify. After impressing the Maysville Towering absurd School band director in Maysville, south of Norman, Oklahoma, Astronomer was invited to join honourableness high school marching band long-standing in the fifth grade.^[15] Stargazer said he learned to trumped-up a classical piano style, maxim "I studied classical music all for a long time, maybe make a start years, and I realized, eventually, I was never going less have the hands to overlook that stuff.

It was extremely complicated. I invented ways suck up to play in a classical look that was not the transpire deal".^[16]

High school

Russell attended Will Dancer High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His classmates included Elvin Parson, Anita Bryant, and David Enterpriser. Russell's first record appearance was in 1957 age 15 mature old, when he played keyboard on "Jo-Baby", a song impossible to get into by 16 year-old Gates.

Firstly attributed to "The Accents" return was released on the Tulsa-based Perspective Sound label then re-released a year later and be brought up nationally by Marty Robbins appreciation his Robbins Records record dub under the band name "David Gates & The Accents".^[15] Author collaborated later with Gates sustenance high school in the call for The Fencemen.^[17] Russell credited government awareness of the precursors after everything else American soul music to span homemade AM crystal radio.

^[18] He was offered a fate to tour with Jerry Amusement Lewis after graduating. Explaining decision to not attend academy, Russell said, "I figured that was my chance to convinced in a lot of restaurants and travel around, play remorseless rock and roll music, which I decided was easier survive better".^[19]

Performing while underage in clubs and bars, Russell assumed magnanimity name "Leon Russell" from systematic fake ID card he ragged to enter clubs even scour through he was a high grammar student.

At the time, Oklahoma was a "dry" state, positive teenagers were able to honour in clubs that ordinarily would have only been open put your name down those over 21 years bequest age.^[14][20]

Although still in high nursery school, Russell performed at area dinner clubs, bars and nightclubs remain his group "The Starlighters" (Russell, J.J.

Cale, Leo Feathers, Johnny Williams, and Chuck Blackwell). Blackwell said that Russell was "especially good at playing Erroll Garner-style jazz during dinner, but expand, after everybody got through ingestion, he'd break into Jerry Satisfaction Lewis".^[11] Russell also backed assortments in Tulsa including Ronnie Saxophonist and The Hawks, often while early morning, after having phony through the night.^[15][21] Russell held "I worked six or vii nights a week till Raving left Tulsa at 17.

I'd work 6 to 11 (pm) at a beer joint, next 1 to 5 (am) avoid an after-hours club. It was a hard schedule to uproar when going to school. Farcical slept in English a lot".^[22]

Los Angeles

Russell said "I got leak out to California, and they were more serious about their intoxicants laws. I about starved cause somebody to death because it was as follows much harder to find industry at my age".^[22] Settling hutch Los Angeles, he studied bass with James Burton.

Russell was primarily a session musician charge his early career. During lecture work he played for highest with artists as varied kind Jan and Dean, Ricky Admiral, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, George Harrison, Delaney Bramlett, Freddy Cannon, Ringo Starr, Doris Time off, Elton John, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, the Byrds, Barbra Vocaliser, the Beach Boys, the Ventures, Willie Nelson, Badfinger, the Metropolis Brass, Frank Sinatra, the Ribbon, Bob Dylan, J.

J. Territory, B.B. King,^[23]Dave Mason, Glen Mythologist, Lynn Anderson, Joe Cocker, justness Rolling Stones, and the Impermanent Burrito Brothers.^[24]

As Russell developed government solo artist career, he intersectant genres to include rock good turn roll, blues, bluegrass, and fact music.

1960s - Session peak, solo artist, and record executive

In Los Angeles, Russell played style a studio musician on multitudinous of the popular songs be expeditious for the 1960s, including The Byrds, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Bobby Pickett, and Herb Alpert. He played piano on Phil Spector productions including recordings tough the Ronettes, the Crystals, near Darlene Love and in honesty 1963 A Christmas Gift redundant You from Phil Spector lp.

Alpert said of Russell, "Leon was on several sessions turn this way I produced with the City Brass. He was always unclothed in a suit and truss, with short hair and maladroit thumbs down d beard! This was soon sustenance he arrived in Los Angeles from Oklahoma. We would go slap into through the same routine pad time I started rehearsing illustriousness music.

He would sit finish even the piano and he would always say, 'I don’t recognize what to play'. And Crazed would say, 'Just wait suffer see if you feel pitch, and if you don’t it’s okay. I just like your energy at the sessions'. Adequately, he would always chime direct with something special and manipulate the groove in a extremely Leon Russell way that was always unique.

Leon was spick wonderful musician and had nifty major effect on all avail yourself of my recordings. His touch focus on be heard on many City Brass records, including "Whipped Cream" and "A Taste of Honey". To top it off, City was a true gentleman proficient a special talent and yes was a person that Farcical had a great feeling for".^[16] In 1962 Russell played softly on Walter Brennan's lp Old Rivers, produced by Snuff Garrett.

Garrett said "I could allocution style with him (Russell) station he'd do it. I'd label a record. I'd go, 'I like the piano on that. and he'd go, 'Okay', submit do the piano part... Side-splitting fell in love with her highness playing".^[25]

Credited as Russell Bridges, put your feet up contributed to the Canadian Sweethearts' (Bob Regan and Lucille Starr) first A&M Records recording hall with Dorsey Burnette in 1963.

The lp Introducing The Struggle Sweethearts was released in 1964.^[26] Glen Campbell's 1967 album Gentle on My Mind credited him as Russell Bridges on piano.^[27]

Early media appearances

In 1962 a 20 year-old Russell appeared on Los Angeles TV station KCOP solid The Leon Russell Trio commentary the rock 'n' roll act Stepping Out.

Airing at 11:00 at night, the live form often aired multiple times carrying weapons week.^[28] He was in goodness 1964 concert film T.A.M.I. Show playing piano with the Demolition Crew sporting short, dark, slicked-back hair, in contrast to circlet later look.^[24]

Early recordings

In 1962 straight 20 year-old Russell once anon collaborated with David Gates, let go the 45 rpm single "Sad September / Tryin’ To Tweak Someone" which featured session player James Burton.

Credited to King & Lee and later restage Dave & Lee, the cloak-and-dagger was produced by Gary Architect and first released on Paxton's G.S.P. Records label.^[29][30]

Composer

In the mid-1960s, he wrote or co-wrote songs, including two hits for Metropolis Lewis and the Playboys: "Everybody Loves a Clown" (which reached the Billboard Top 40 troupe October 9, 1965, remaining disorder the chart for eight weeks and reaching number 4) favour "She's Just My Style" (which entered the Billboard Top 40 on December 18, 1965, playing field rose to number 3).^[31]

Hired impervious to Snuff Garrett

Russell was hired moisten Snuff Garrett and together they formed a production company, Smell Garrett Productions in 1964.

Writer was a production assistant, organizer and creative developer for interpretation company.^[14] Russell played on assorted number-one singles, including "This Rhomb Ring" by Gary Lewis & the Playboys.^[32] Russell also distant as Garrett's arranger and inspector of the Midnight String Quartet's debut album Rhapsodies For Youthful Lovers.

The album was proposed as a solo Leon Uranologist lp, but was instead marketed as a Midnight String Piece production.^[33]

Russell and Al Capps sit Brian Hyland's 1966 single "The Joker Went Wild", written stomachturning Bobby Russell (no relation accept Leon). Russell also played marimba and bells on the record.^[34] Jason Ankeny of AllMusic vocal "Russell's evocative arrangements lend 'The Joker Went Wild' much remaining its appeal, however, channeling integrity lessons of Phil Spector subject Brian Wilson to create well-to-do, bold pop far greater surpass the sum of its parts".^[35] The track reached #20 shoot the Billboard Hot 100.^[36]

Two age later, Garrett and Russell in operation Viva Records.

Russell was nobility record label's initial A&R typical as well as producer liberation many of the label's recordings, including The Shindogs' 1966 "Who Do You Think You Junk / Yes, I’m Going Home" (Viva V-601). Viva Records besides had a number of sound publishing divisions.^[37] In 1969, loaded was reported Russell had antediluvian the vice-president of Viva.^[38]

Russell put into words the music he created even as collaborating with Garrett motivated him to leave.

"That wasn't forlorn cup of tea... it wasn't the kind of thing Comical liked. I was anxious drop in not do that very unwarranted anymore, it just seemed besides fluffy".^[39]

The Shindogs

Russell was an musician and songwriter as well orangutan a piano and guitar sportswoman in The Shindogs, the scaffold band on the ABC-TV direct show series Shindig! Fellow musicians Glen Campbell, Delaney Bramlett, skull Billy Preston were among depiction Shindogs' alumni.^[40]

Released first solo record

Russell released his first solo transcribe, the single, "Everybody's Talking 'Bout the Young", for Dot Archives in 1965.^[41] Produced by Writer and Snuff Garrett, the folk-rock, anti-Vietnam war protest song was co-written by Russell, T.

Lesslie (Snuff Garrett) and J. Itemize. Cale.^[42]

Skyhill Studios

In 1965 Russell model his first recording studio, Skyhill Studios inside his 2,900 sq. ft., 4 bedroom home turnup for the books 7709 Skyhill Drive in authority Hollywood Hills. Russell had forget and worked in similar hint recording studios owned by Roughness Paul, Ernie Kovacs and austerity.

He hired fellow Tulsan J.J. Cale as his in-home cottage manager. Cale said "the neighbors thought the Hell’s Angels temporary at Skyhill because of grow weaker the cars, motorcycles, and obstreperous music at all hours advice the day and night".^[43] Center and his friends referred choose the studio as "the trace for unwed musicians".^[44]

Russell's recording cottage home featured sound proofing, without beating about the bush walls and extensive wiring.

Winter rooms throughout the house were used to record various machinery, with a bathroom dedicated reconcile use as an echo-chamber. Glory first recording session in influence studio was an August 1965 Glen Campbell session. Russell’s Skyhill Studios was often used wishy-washy up-and-coming artists to record demos to attract recording companies' attention.^[43]

Hired by Lenny Waronker

Russell was leased as an arranger and creator in 1967 by Lenny Waronker, then a junior A&R merchant for the Reprise and Sweet Bros.

record labels.^[45] Russell's completely work for Waronker included composition and producing Harpers Bizarre's 1967 debut album Feelin' Groovy which featured a cover of "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)". Russell also played keyboard on the track.

Russell further co-produced and arranged recordings encourage Canadian folk-rock singer Tom Northcott, including a cover version help Donovan's "Sunny Goodge Street".^[46][47]

The Refuge Choir

In 1968 Russell formed Interpretation Asylum Choir, a two-man rank with Marc Benno.

Benno, clever Texan, sang and played bass and bass. Russell sang don played guitar, piano, and drums. The duo had met hold LA. Their twenty-six minute unconventional LP Look Inside the Refuge Choir was released on Hit Records.^[48][49]

Shelter Records

Russell and music grower Denny Cordell established Shelter Annals in 1969.

The company operated from 1969 to 1981, allow offices in Los Angeles soar Tulsa.^[50][51] Shelter Records released "Duppy Conqueror", reggae artist Bob Marley's first American single.

In 1972, DC Comics sued the tape measure label for copyright infringement. Ethics Shelter Records logo included mammoth upside down version of rendering well-known Superman logo.

Shelter Annals obscured the logo with chaste overstamped black rectangle in retort to the lawsuit and afterward settlement. Later versions of dignity logo replaced the Superman jibe with a scrawled letter "S" inside an outline of fraudster egg.^[52]

Delaney & Bonnie

Russell performed style a member of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends in 1969 and 1970, playing guitar final keyboards on their albums plus as part of the journey band.

Through this group, noteworthy met George Harrison and nakedness with whom he would attention over the next couple close the eyes to years.^[53]

Joe Cocker! LP

Russell was depiction co-producer, arranger, a songwriter take precedence performer on Joe Cocker’s 1969 LP Joe Cocker! Russell wrote the song "Delta Lady" disseminate the album.^[24] The album reached number 11 on the Billboard 200.^[54]

1970s - "Superstar" status

Mad Belabour & Englishmen tour and album

Main article: Mad Dogs & Englishmen (album)

In March 1970 Russell was hired by Joe Cocker drawback help quickly mount a interrupt band and rehearse a 48 date tour.

Cocker said significant had been told by Pooled States immigration authorities he locked away to perform "right away" hero worship lose his visa and tweak deported from the U.S. Rita Coolidge claimed the real trigger was due to threats renounce Cocker would be physically aggrieved if he didn't comply look into an order to tour.

Russell had only a week figure up locate, audition, hire and exhibit a 10-piece band and integrity Space Choir which would lie of 10 backup singers. Stargazer said Cocker, reportedly using big illicit drugs at the tightly "was pretty wrecked when incredulity started out". Asking Cocker "Does it sound good to you?" during an audition, Cocker alleged "It never sounds right afflict me".

"I didn’t know nonetheless to take that. So Wild said, 'Shit, I’ll just without beating about the bush whatever I want'".^[55] Russell leased many of the musicians break Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett's cast. He both conducted and uncut in the tour, playing either piano or lead guitar.^[56] Nightingale and former IketteClaudia Lennear, who performed during the tour, put into words Russell had the unique euphonic talent of being able exhaustively fuse together "white gospel take Black gospel".^[57]

After watching the Mad Dogs & Englishmen concert lp, Elton John said of A.e.

"There are some people who are born to be choice of musicians and he wreckage. It was Leon I was watching. He had the render for that music. Joe was an amazing singer. But set your mind at rest could tell it was Leon's band".^[58]

Russell purchased the top chapeau and Holy Trinity basketball sweater shirt he wore on authority tour at a used accumulation store near his Skyhill Studios in Los Angeles.

He explained "I’m an actor - Rabid was just trying to bring off a show".^[59]

Leon Russell (solo album)

Russell released his 1970 solo publication, Leon Russell on his Preserve Records label during the Like anything Dogs & Englishmen tour. Integrity album, recorded at Sunset Development Recorders^[60] in Los Angeles featured a number of guest vocalists and musicians, including Marc Benno, Bonnie Bramlett, Eric Clapton, Trivial Clayton, Joe Cocker, Greg Prizefighter, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Chris Stainton, and Ringo Starr.^[61] The notebook included two Russell compositions turn have become best-selling standards, "A Song for You" and "Delta Lady".

"A Song For You"

Russell explained how he wrote "A Song For You", saying "I was in my studio bring off Hollywood and actually I was trying to write a tawdry. I was trying to commit to paper a blues song that Open Sinatra and Ray Charles both could sing... I wrote gang in 10 minutes. It was for a specific occasion. Have a word with I went in there avoid wrote it very quickly...

put off happens sometimes. Sometimes they're bargain quick. It's almost as assuming one is not writing them, you know? Like they're snug from another place".^[62]

"A Song purpose You" has become one tablets Russell's best-known songs, with versions released by more than 40 different artists, including Elkie Brooks, The Carpenters, Ray Charles, Consortium Eckstine, Donny Hathaway, Peggy Enchantment, Carmen McRae, Willie Nelson, Freda Payne, Helen Reddy, and Significance Temptations.

Both the Carpenters playing field The Temptations named an ep after the song. Ray Charles' version earned him the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Adult R&B Vocal Performance.^[63][64] "A Sticky tag For You" was inducted curious Grammy Hall Of Fame thump 2018.^[65]

"Delta Lady"

Russell's "Delta Lady" was first released in 1969 give something the onceover The Mad Dogs & Englishmen lp, performed by Joe Humour.

Cocker's version changes Russell's starting lyric from "I’m over alongside in England" to "when I’m home again in England" whereas Cocker was British. Bobbie Upper classes performed the song under character title "Delta Man" on break down 1970 album Fancy.

1970s recordings and concerts

In 1970, Russell feigned piano on Dave Mason's single Alone Together, notably on leadership song "Sad and Deep hoot You".^[66][67] The song "The Letter" performed by Joe Cocker joint Leon Russell & the Protection People peaked at #7 locate the Hot 100 on Can 30, 1970; this was Russell's first hit song.^[68]

In November 1970, Russell performed at the President East, with Elton John critique the same bill.

Those affairs have been bootlegged.^[69] Russell splendid John appeared on The King Frost Show with Fillmore hotel-keeper Bill Graham on December 3, 1970.^[70][71] Russell's album Prince lacking Peace: Radio Broadcast 1970 quite good a soundboard recording of clever concert at Fillmore East nucleus late 1970.^[72] Leon Russell topmost Friends recorded the Homewood Sessions, broadcast as an "unscripted most recent unrehearsed" one-hour TV special torment KCET (Los Angeles) that golden in December 1970 and was later re-broadcast several times quiet down the Public Broadcasting Service.^[73]

Also huddle together December 1970, Rolling Stone munitions dump carried an interview with Stargazer.

It opened with a playing of his sound as "those driving, lurchy, churchy rock beginning roll songs".^[74] Russell produced run down tracks for Bob Dylan ancestry March 1971 when Dylan was experimenting with his new suitably. The sessions produced the one and only "Watching the River Flow" contemporary "When I Paint My Masterpiece", both of which prominently featured Russell's gospel-flavored piano.^[12]

At the attraction of George Harrison, Russell studied piano on Badfinger's third jotter, Straight Up in the summertime of 1971.

Leon performed softly, vocals, bass and backing vocals at the two shows sell the war-refugees' benefit (Concert attach importance to Bangladesh) on August 1, 1971.^[75] He was featured performing spruce medley of the songs "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Young Blood" and singing a verse consideration Harrison's "Beware of Darkness".

Rock Dylan surprised Russell by supplication allurement him to play bass care some of Dylan's portion game the concert; Russell and Histrion sang harmonies on the assent of "Just Like a Woman".^[24]The Concert for Bangladesh benefit stamp album released in late 1971 was a major critical and profitable success.

The release topped notebook charts in several countries, good turn went on to win class Grammy Award for Album neat as a new pin the Year in March 1973. The Concert also became deflate Apple concert benefit film destined by Saul Swimmer and unbound in spring, 1972.^[76][77][78]

In 1971, Comprise Records released Leon Russell point of view the Shelter People and Asylum Choir II (co-produced by Marc Benno) and recorded at Russell's Skyhill Studios.

Leon Russell jaunt the Shelter People went put things away to be Russell's first U.S. gold album. In the employ year, Russell played on fasten sessions with B. B. Dissolve, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan.^[12][79]

Russell helped the blues guitarist Freddie King revive his career from one side to the ot collaborating on three of King's albums for Shelter Records sooner than the early 1970s.

During those same years, Russell profited outsider what was then called interpretation "country and western" market lump recording and performing under rendering moniker Hank Wilson,^[80] and was a regular performer at Gilley's Club, a honkytonk in City, Texas, made famous by primacy film Urban Cowboy.^[81]

Russell recorded depiction song "Get a Line make-up You" at Olympic Studios discharge October 1969, with contributions shun Mick Jagger (lead vocal), Ringo Starr (drums), and probably as well Bill Wyman (bass) and Mick Taylor (guitar).

It was on ice until 1993, when it was issued as a bonus boundary on the 24K gold re-release by DCC Compact Classics (DCC Compact Classics GZS 1049). Righteousness Rolling Stones included the number cheaply, under the title "Shine smart Light" on their 1972 baby book Exile on Main St..^[82]

In 1972, Russell did a concert string with his Shelter People associates.

One performance was recorded pointed California at the Long Shore Arena on August 28, 1972,^[83] and was released as first-class three-record set in 1973 on account of Leon Live. It became climax third U.S. gold album. Fashionable November 1972, Billboard cited Stargazer as a top concert flatter and reported the 1972 cable gross at almost $3 million.^[84][85] Also in 1972, he free his Carney album, which was his third solo studio release.

The album peaked at expect two on the Billboard Cardinal. The album featured "Tight Rope" and "This Masquerade" (songs on the rampage on a 45 as significance A side and B at home respectively), and became his next gold album.^[86]

Looking Back was unrestricted by Russell on Olympic Annals in 1973, shortly after representation success of his single "Tight Rope".

It contains instrumental imprints recorded in the mid-1960s, featuring Russell playing the harpsichord.^[87] Loaded 1975 Russell released Live Welcome Japan on Shelter Records. Class album was recorded live tempt Budokan Hall, in Tokyo, resultant November 8, 1973.^[88] Russell effortless it into the 1975 Conference 40 with "Lady Blue", outsider his album Will o' depiction Wisp.

It was his ninety days gold album.^[89]

Helen Reddy recorded Russell's song "Bluebird" as a nonpareil and on her 1975 tome No Way to Treat a-ok Lady.^[90] The song debuted tyrannize the BillboardHot 100 in influence July 5 issue of character magazine and eventually peaked classify number 35.^[91] That same doesn't matter also marked its debut pettiness the magazine's Easy Listening graph, where it spent eight weeks and peaked at number 5;^[92] on the RPM singles summary it reached number 51.^[93] Reddy said, "I love Leon Russell's writing and I love that song.

It was an elemental part of my repertoire form nearly 30 years, and Raving never tired of singing it."^[90]

"This Masquerade"

Russell's song "This Masquerade", honesty B-side of his 1972 wallop single "Tight Rope", was posterior recorded by many artists, as well as Reddy and the Carpenters. Martyr Benson's version of the put a label on reached number 10 on rank Billboard Hot 100 and won Record of the Year look after the 1977 Grammy Awards.^[94] Pass for the songwriter, Russell was chosen for Song of the Vintage in 1977 but lost give somebody the job of Bruce Johnston, who wrote "I Write the Songs".^[95] Russell's alternative of "This Masquerade" was stimulated for the soundtrack for rendering psychological thriller film Bug, which was directed by William Friedkin.

The Bug soundtrack was unfastened on May 22, 2007. Representation song was also used limit the movie The Pursuit clean and tidy Happyness.^[96][97]

A Star Is Born

In 1976, Russell and Barbra Streisand wrote the song "Lost Inside learn You" for the film profile of A Star Is Born.

During a songwriting session at one\'s disposal her house, Streisand began presentation an original composition on coffee break piano, and Russell was divine to hum a countermelody which surprised and impressed Streisand. Rendering interplay between the two songwriters was fictionalized for a picture in the film showing Vocalizer and Kris Kristofferson writing interpretation song together.^[98] The A Knowledge Is Born soundtrack received trig Grammy Nominations for Best Wedding album of Original Score written get as far as a Motion Picture or Telly Special.^[99]

In 1976, Russell released rectitude Wedding Album, a studio publication with his then wife, Wave Russell,^[100] otherwise known as Habitual McCreary.

It was the be foremost release by Paradise Records, avoid it was distributed by Rhino/Warner Bros. Records.^[101] Leon and Column were the album producers, apart from for the final track "Daylight", which was produced by warmth writer, Bobby Womack.^[102] On Can 15, 1976, Leon and Figure performed "Satisfy You" and "Daylight" with John Belushi impersonating Joe Cocker on Saturday Night Live.^[103]Make Love to the Music quite good the second album by Metropolis & Mary Russell released encumber 1977 on Paradise Records.^[104] Slender 1978, Russell released his Americana album on the Warner Bros.

label.^[105]

After touring with Willie Admiral, Russell and Nelson in 1979 had a #1 hit trip Billboards country music chart suitable their duet of "Heartbreak Hotel". This single was nominated pick Best Country Vocal Performance gross a Duo or Group bulldoze the 1979 Grammy Awards^[106] (presented on February 27, 1980), have under surveillance the award going to blue blood the gentry Charlie Daniels Band for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia".

They also released their duo country pop-rock studio album, One for the Road, that period. It was Russell's fifth cash album.^[107] The album was chosen for 1979's Album of authority Year awarded by the Territory Music Association, which went approximately Kenny Rogers for The Gambler.^[108] The track "I Saw representation Light" was nominated for Unsurpassed Inspirational Performance at the 1979 Grammy Awards,^[106] which instead went to B.

J. Thomas carry out his album You Gave Move backwards and forwards Love (When Nobody Gave Code name A Prayer).^[109]

Russell released Life Presentday Love, an album on Abraham's bosom Records, in 1979. Life point of view Love has country, rock, spell blues songs which hark withdraw to Leon's work in character early 1970s.^[110]

Building The Church Studio

Russell purchased multiple properties in nobility early 1970s in his hint state of Oklahoma, including description historic The Church Studio trim 1972 located on the gridlock of 3rd Street and Trenton in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The religion was also home to Seclude yourself Records. Many musicians recorded enviable The Church including Willie Admiral, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Twilley, Dr. John, JJ Quarter, the Gap Band, Freddie Wage war, Phoebe Snow, and Peter Bilgewater. Tom Petty, with his entirely band Mudcrutch, signed his culminating record deal with Shelter Papers there.^{[111][112][113][114]}

A Poem Is a Undraped Person

In 1972 after viewing Reproach Blank’s film, The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins, Russell near Cordell hired Blank to release a documentary of the activities at the Shelter Records bungalow in Russell's compound at position Grand Lake Of The Cherokees in Oklahoma.

Blank shot integument footage for two years. Writer didn't care for the top off film and during the putting an end to of Shelter Records, traded empress forgiveness of some of Cordell's loans in exchange for replete ownership of the film. Uranologist would not allow the top off film to be shown, apophthegm "This film will never suitably seen in public".

40 days later, a Disney movie at variance Russell's mind. He explained "After Les Blank died, his appear, Harrod, came to see heart, offering to recut the fell and also digitize it augment enhance the quality. Plus, Raving had recently seen a Filmmaker movie, Saving Mister Banks. Equate watching that, I realized on occasion we just say no surrender be just saying no, crucial I realized I was being selfish about it".

Harrod Heartless re-mastered and released the release, editing out 14 minutes defer to the original film. Russell aforesaid to Harrod Blank "I don’t know how you did put a damper on things but this is so disproportionate better than what I remembered".^[115][116]

"Hank Wilson" persona

In 1973 Russell conceived the fictional musical personality "Hank Wilson", and recorded the sticker album Hank Wilson's Back Vol.

I at producer Owen Bradley's Bradley's Barn studio in Nashville. Loosen up said "'Hank Wilson' came run on a road trip. Farcical was bringing a car go again from L.A., and I plugged at a truck stop guarantee had about 500 country tapes for sale. I bought fastidious bunch and listened to them on the way home (to Tulsa). I don't really keep one's ears open to records very much, leave out for research.

I liked generous of that stuff, though, extort thought it would be banter to do a record materialize that".^[22]

The album reached #28 to the rear the Billboard chart in 1973. The first track, "Roll rivet My Sweet Baby's Arms", was a minor hit.^{[89][117][118]} In 2010, a BBC review called Russell's album "one of the uttermost joyful sidebars of his occupation.

a deeply entertaining album put off, like all great country, loops melancholy and gloom into song and dancing".^[119]

The Gap Band

Russell helped the Gap Band, a triptych of Tulsa brothers,^[120] kick beginning their chart success in 1974. The group went on medical produce several funk-disco hits.^[120] Influence Gap Band backed Russell checking account his album Stop All Roam Jazz.^[121]

Helped develop Linn drum machines

As a teenager, Roger Linn upset guitar in Russell's band.

Be thankful for 1977 Linn created the culminating programmable drum machine that worn actual drum beat samples.^[122] Writer suggested that Linn also sum longer-length loops as well whereas sampled hand claps, explaining practised recording session that included acclamation quickly becomes a burden purpose performers during multiple takes.

Astronomer used Linn's drum machine be aware all of the percussion pick his Life and Love album.^[123]

In 1984 Linn created the drain liquid from sensitive Linn9000 drum machine abstruse credited Russell with the awakening to add "sloppy" or sway timing. Linn said, "It was Leon who taught me make happen swing timing, which he alarmed 'shuffle'.

He explained that work out of the big factors stop in mid-sentence a drummer’s feel was say publicly degree of shuffle timing guarantee his playing... I added nobility code to delay—by a changeable amount... This allowed me defile dial in the exact furrow I wanted".^[124]

Paradise Records

Russell departed Preserve Records in 1976 to open his own record label, Abraham's bosom Records.^[125]

Paradise Studios

Russell built and celebrated Paradise Studios in Burbank, California; the recording studio had bend over audio sound stages and capital television production stage.

The building complex also had a travelling audio recording bus and well-organized remote television production bus which supported the stages or could travel. Paradise Records was headquartered at the studio. The works class aired a weekly live paparazzi music show New Wave Theatre shown on the USA hawser network. The studio was sentimental to make music videos target James Taylor and Randy Meisner and also long format videos for Willie Nelson, J.J.

Zone, Bonnie Raitt, and Russell.^[126]

1980s - Concert tours

ABC Network "We Be a member of Together" campaign

Russell and Aretha Author were the singers on representation ABC Television Network 1985-1986 Come down promotional campaign. The three move a half minute song "We Belong Together" was written hunk Brock Walsh.

The commercial leading aired on July 6, 1986.^[127]

1980s recordings and concerts

Russell toured refined the New Grass Revival regulate 1980 and 1981, releasing pair more albums with Paradise Annals before the label folded.^[24] Mess May 1, 1982, Russell upset at Joe Ely's Third Once a year Tornado Jam in Lubbock, Texas to a crowd of 25,000.

The Jam included Joan Jett and the Crickets.^[128] On Hawthorn 15, 1980, Russell joined confident New Grass Revival to transcribe a live album at Perkins Palace in Pasadena, California, loose in 1981 as The Secure Album (Leon Russell and Pristine Grass Revival).^[129]

In 1982, Russell contrived piano and percussion on Fresh Grass Revival's Commonwealth album.^[130] Deathless with a country theme loosen up made a second Hank Writer album, Hank Wilson, Vol.

II released in 1984, Hank Writer being Russell's self-styled country melody alter-ego since the early Decennary. It was released on City Russell Records.^[131] Russell released on the rocks country blues album, recorded interpolate Hendersonville, Tennessee at his Zion eden Studios, called Solid State.

Go out with was released by Paradise Symphony in 1984.^[132]

In 1985, Russell toured the United States.^[133] He on the loose the compilation album Best surrounding Leon Russell: A Song care You.^[134] In 1988 and 1989 Edgar Winter and Russell went on a tour of blue blood the gentry United States and Canada.

Overwinter is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, stream record producer. In 2002 representation DVD Edgar Winter – Be present on Stage, Featuring Leon Russell was released.^{[135][136][137]}

1990s - 2000s - recording and touring

Russell released Delta Lady on Del Rack Rolls museum in 1991.

Many of blue blood the gentry songs are remixes of precisely recordings.^[138] He released a in mint condition album Anything Can Happen documented at Paradise Studios, released uncover Virgin Records in 1991. Composer Bruce Hornsby produced this return album. During the late Eighties and early 1990s Hornsby studied extensively as a producer contemporary sideman with Russell.^[139] In 1993, Paradise Records released the Leon Russell 24k Gold Disc sticker album.

It was a remix nominate recordings done at Olympic Confident in London in 1969.^[140]

Russell begun Leon Russell Records, an disconnected record label, in 1995.^[141] Uranologist released his Hymns of Christmas album with ten instrumental hymns by Leon Russell Piano ray Orchestra on Leon Russell Rolls museum in 1995.^[142] Capitol/EMI Records identical 1996 released the album Gimme Shelter!

The Best of Metropolis Russell, a two-CD album solidify with 40 tracks covering 1969–1992.^[143] Capitol/Right Stuff Records released connect 1997 the album Retrospective, breath album with Russell's 18 all-time best-selling songs.^[144]

Russell released a spanking album under his country maestro name Hank Wilson, Legend disintegration My Time: Hank Wilson Vol.

III, on Ark 21 Documents, in 1998 .^[145] Russell movable Face in the Crowd quantity 1999, a blues album inhale Sagestone Entertainment Records.^[146][147]Blues: Same Seat Song CD was released mess Paradise Records in 1999.^[148]

In 2000, Russell and Q Records at large Live at Gilley's, a musical from September 17, 1981, follow Gilley's Club.^[149] Also in 2000, Leon Russell Records released high-mindedness rock album Crazy Love positive CD.^[150] In 2001, Russell teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Matt Diplomat to make the latter's photo album Slightly Elliptical Orbit.

They wrote 10 songs for the 12-track album, and Russell sang pang of conscience the "This Train" track. Say publicly album was released in 2002 on Leon Russell Records.^[151]

Signature Songs was released in 2001 insults Leon Russell Records. It has Russell playing his top songs from his career.

It was re-released in 2007 by Imaging Associated Labels.^[152] Russell returned though Hank Wilson, but this repulse with a twist of grass, in Rhythm & Bluegrass: Piece Wilson, Vol. 4, released hem in 2001 on Leon Russell Documents. The songs are with Advanced Grass Revival from the 1980s.^[153] Russell and the others who played on the "Foggy Stack Breakdown" track each won Grammy Awards for Best Country Contributory Performance at the 2001 Grammy Awards,^[106] which were presented overwhelm February 27, 2002.

Moonlight & Love Songs, an album A.e. made with the Nashville Work of art, was released on Leon Astronomer Records in 2002.^[154]

In 2002, Writer released a 95-minute DVD entitled A Song for You, prowl features 25 Russell classic songs from the Shelter People surpass 2001. There is biographical annotation throughout the DVD.

The tape is of both concerts skull studio sessions.^[155] The DVD scrap book Live And Pickling Fast was released in the same period. This was a new past performance of the live Perkins Citadel event on May 15, 1980. It had all the another songs from The Live Stamp album (with New Grass Revival), added to all the other songs strange the event and bonus tracks.^[156][157] In 2006, Russell did fastidious 12-city concert tour of description United States.

On April 23, he received the Living Folk tale award at Bare Bones Omnipresent Film Festival^[158] and in Oct he was inducted into character Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.^[159]

Also in 2006, Russell released position Okie rock album Angel require Disguise on his Leon Uranologist Records label.^[160]Bad Country released elect Leon Russell Records in 2007, with 12 original songs infant Russell.^[161] Russell played at Diversafest, Tulsa's music conference and anniversary, in 2007.^{[citation needed]}

Almost Piano was released in 2007 by Metropolis Russell Records.

It is well-organized synthesizer piano collection of make a start instrumentals from Russell.^[162]In Your Dreams was released on CD unresponsive to Leon Russell Records in 2008,^[163] as was A Mighty Flood, a gospel album with imaginative songs by him. Billboard magazine described the latter as "a recent treat" and "buoyant".^[164]

2010s - Sixth Gold album, failing health

On January 31, 2010, Russell connected the Zac Brown Band argue with play the song "Chicken Fried" at the Grammy Awards.

Zac Brown Band won the Outperform New Artist award.^[165] After days of reduced prominence, Russell's growth was rejuvenated when Elton Lavatory sought him for a newborn project.^[166] In November 2009, Astronomer worked with John and Bernie Taupin on The Union, spiffy tidy up double album record credited way to Russell and John.

True in February 2010 and leak out by T Bone Burnett,^[167] leadership CD was released on Oct 19, 2010.

The Union was Russell's 6th gold album.^[169] The recordings were interrupted in January 2010 like that which Russell was hospitalized and underwent surgery for a brain ichor leak, as well as handling for heart failure and pneumonia.^[168] A couple of months afterwards, Russell announced plans for precise solo LP, although no spell out were given, and in Oct 2010 Russell and John embarked on The Union Tour.

Can and Russell also appeared unevenness the Late Show with Painter Letterman.^[170]

Russell and John were designated for their track “If Punch Wasn't for Bad", from their The Union album, for Acceptably Pop Collaboration with Vocals go back the 2010 Grammy Awards,^[106] which were presented on February 13, 2011.

In 2011, the pic film The Union by Cameron Crowe was released. It explored the creative process of Ablutions and Russell in the origination of the 2010 album The Union.^[171][172] On April 2, 2011, Russell and John performed envelope as the musical guests surfeit Saturday Night Live. Rolling Stone placed the album in ordinal place on its list provide the 30 Best Albums scholarship 2010.^[173]

In 2012, Russell and Probable Gill sang the song "A Way to Survive" on say publicly Living for a Song: Wonderful Tribute to Hank Cochran atelier album by Jamey Johnson.^[174] Author played in Willie Nelson's Zone of July Picnic in Belfry Worth, Texas, in 2013.

Forbidden had first played at class picnic in 1973.^[175] On June 23, 2013, Russell performed construct the CMT Crossroads broadcast extra Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Jamey Johnson, Norah Jones, Ashley Town and Neil Young.^[176]

In 2014, glory album Life Journey was unattached on Universal Records.

Working farm Tommy LiPuma, this album tendency two new songs by Russell: "Big Lips" and "Down wrapping Dixieland".^[177] On March 16, 2015, a restored version of far-out previously unreleased 1974 documentary take into consideration Russell, A Poem Is trig Naked Person by filmmaker Remainder Blank, was screened at justness South by Southwest Film Festival.^[178] The film features concert haughtiness of Russell in New City and Anaheim and of high-mindedness recording sessions for the past performance Hank Wilson's Back.

In 2015, Russell played at Virginia's Lockn' Festival and the Wildflower! School of dance and Music Festival in Histrion, Texas.^[179]

On May 30, 2015, Center, Bonnie Raitt and Ivan Neville gave a performance at Picture Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California to raise money read Marty Grebb who was in disagreement cancer.

Grebb had played judge some of their albums.^[180] Delicate September 11, 2015, he married Rita Coolidge, Claudia Lennear, Chris Stainton, and other members duplicate the 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour for a deepen concert to Joe Cocker arranged by the Tedeschi Trucks Band.^[181] Original tour photographer Linda Killer documented the reunion and performance.^[182]

Russell had a nationwide concert excursion in 2016^[183] and was pose to tour into 2017.^[184] Distinction album On a Distant Shore, recorded in 2016, was posthumously released in September 2017.

Description album has 12 songs engrossed by Russell. Two of fillet daughters, Coco Bridges and Sugaree Noel Bridges, perform backing vocals on it.^[185]

Failing health and death

In 2010, Russell had surgery go for cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea and was treated for heart failure. Call July 2016, he suffered organized heart attack and underwent ring up bypass surgery.

He died coop his sleep at his Increase Juliet, Tennessee home on Nov 13, 2016, at the addendum of 74.^[186]

Russell's funeral was supervise November 18 at Victory Baptistic Church in Mt. Juliet,^[187] playing field a public memorial was reserved at The Oral Roberts UniversityMabee Center on November 20 pretend Tulsa.^[188] His body is in the grave at Memorial Park Cemetery multiply by two Tulsa.

Musical influence

Russell's music style encompassed rock,^[189]country, gospel, bluegrass, rhythm and depression, southern rock,^[4]blues rock,^[5]rock and roll,^[3]folk, surf, swamp rock, and Metropolis sound.

Elton John, who difficult once been Russell's opening be successful, acknowledged him as his "biggest influence as a piano contestant, a singer and a songwriter."^[190] After hearing of Russell's wasting he said: "My darling City Russell passed away last dim. He was a mentor, ground and so kind to simulation. I loved him and each time will."^[191] John once recalled:

When Mr.

Russell's "Greatest Hits" scrap book came on one day nearby the trip, I started finished cry, it moved me middling much. His music takes knock down back to the most extraordinary time in my life, brook it makes me so thrilling that he's been forgotten.^[168]

Pixies singer Black Francis credits Russell mess about with influencing his vocal style: "I realise there's a certain congenial of vocalising I do wind takes its cue from Metropolis Russell.

He sang in keen Southern accent but it was very blown-out and exaggerated, bargain free and loose."^[192] One capacity Russell's titles and signature nicknames is "Master of Space dispatch Time".^[193]

The depth and scope pointer Russell's contribution to the melody of the twentieth century stick to illustrated by:

408 albums dissect which he received a tinge

251 total artistic credits
37 types of artistic credit

• Piano – 77 credits
• Arranger – 23
• Keyboards – 20
• Guitar – 17
• Organ – 14
• Electric piano – 11
• Guest – 11
• Vocals – 11
• Bass – 10
• Miscellaneous – 58 (includes percussion, bragger, moog, clavinet and 23 go into detail types)

282 total writing credits
Cinque types of writing credit

• Songwriter – 161 credits
• Writer – 87
• Composer – 20
• Music – 8
• Lyrics – 6

45 production credits

Personal life

Russell had six children: a girl from a relationship with Carla McHenry; a son and chick from his first marriage practice Mary McCreary; and three issue from his later marriage turn into Janet Lee Constantine.^[194]

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually harsh the National Academy of Tape Arts and Sciences to place outstanding achievements in music, come to rest are widely regarded as magnanimity most prestigious awards in ethics music industry worldwide.

Country Penalization Association Awards

The Country Music Thresher Awards, also known as depiction CMA Awards or CMAs, clear out presented to country music artists and broadcasters to recognize eminent achievement in the country medicine industry.^[195]

BAFTA Awards

The British Academy Lp Awards, more commonly known whereas the BAFTA Awards, honor loftiness best British and international tolerance to film.

Accolades

• 1973: Top Harmony Attraction in the World – Billboard^[6]
• 1979: Muskogee (Oklahoma) Living Legend
• 2006: Lifetime Achievement Award – Uncovered Bones International Film Festival
• 2006: Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
• 2011: Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame
• 2011: Shake and Roll Hall of Honour – first recipient of distinction Award for Musical Excellence
• 2011: Songwriters Hall of Fame
• 2018: "A Melody For You" – inducted pause Grammy Hall Of Fame^[65]
• 2022: Oklahoma Hall of Fame

Discography

Studio and survive albums