R.I.P. Leon Russell 1942-2016 - Noise11.com
Leon Russell performs at the Palais in St Kilda on 25 April 2011. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Leon Russell. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

R.I.P. Leon Russell 1942-2016

by Paul Cashmere on November 14, 2016

in News

Leon Russell, the genius songwriter and musician, passed away in Nashville on Sunday (13 November, 2016) at the age of 74.

In a statement Leon’s wife Jan Bridges has announced, “We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this very, very difficult time. My husband passed in his sleep in our Nashville home. He was recovering from heart surgery in July and looked forward to getting back on the road in January. We appreciate everyone’s love and support.”

Leon Russell was one of America’s greatest songwriters. Sir Elton John called his classic ‘A Song For You’ “an American classic”. It has been covered many times by artists from The Carpenters, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Danna Summer, Simply Red and Joe Cocker.

Leon rose to fame as the musical director for Joe Cocker’s ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’. He wrote one of Cocker’s biggest hits ‘Delta Lady’. It was his first commercial success.

Leon Russell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma on April 2, 1942. He was one of America’s most in-demand and respected musicians as his list of credits shows with artists like Eric Clapton, the Beach Boys, Ringo Starr, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and George Harrison using his services at various times on their recordings.

He made his first TV appearance in 1964 on ‘Shindig’ before the long hair and beard became his lifelong trademark look/

After 1970 Mad Dogs and Englishmen US tour Leon hooked up with George Harrison for The Concert For Bangla Desh. Bob Dylan also performed on the show. Russell then covered Dylan’s ‘A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall’ as a solo song and had his first stand-alone hit song.

Around that time Leon was working with the Rolling Stones and recorded an early version of what became ‘Shine A Light’ for Exile On Main Street’ as ‘Get A Line On You’.

As the 70s progressed, so did Leon’s ability to deliver great songs. George Benson had a hit with ‘This Masquerade’.

Leon made the album ‘One For The Road’ with Willie Nelson.

He also more recently made ‘The Union’ with Sir Elton John in 2010.

Leon Russell last toured Australia in April 2011. His last performance was 28 October 2016 in Carmel, IN.

In 2010 Leon had surgery to remove fluid on the brain. He suffered a heart attack in July this year.

Related Posts

Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks Turns 50

Bob Dylan’s 15th studio album ‘Blood On The Tracks’ was released 50 years ago on 20 January 1975.

1 day ago
Sammy Hagar supplied HWOF
Sammy Hagar Quits Touring

Sammy Hagar has quit touring. Hagar hit the road last year for his 'The Best Of All Worlds' tour - which covered the US, Canada and Japan - and he's preparing to launch the show as a residency which will run from April 30 until May 17 at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas - and he's now insisted he's sick of travelling and just wants to perform one-off concerts and residencies which allow him to stay in one place.

3 days ago
Billy Gibbons - Photo By Ros O'Gorman
Check Out Billy F. Gibbons Landman song ‘Livin’ It Up In Texas’

Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top has a brand new solo song which was recorded for the TV series ‘Landman’.

4 days ago
Skyhooks Living In The 70s
50th Anniversary Skyhooks ‘Living In The 70s’ Album Released

Skyhooks classic ‘Living In The 70s’ album has been remastered (again) by David Briggs to mark the 50th anniversary of the album.

4 days ago
Sex Pistols with Frank Carter
The Sex Pistols To Tour Australia With Frank Carter

The Sex Pistols will tour Australia with Frank Carter on vocals and the three founding members Steve Jones (guitar), Paul Cook (drums) and Glen Matlock (bass) performing the 1977 punk classic ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols’.

5 days ago
Neil Young Big Change Is Coming
Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts Release New Music ‘Big Change’

Neil Young has a new song with his new band The Chrome Hearts called ‘Big Change is Coming’.

5 days ago
Osibisa debut album 1971 by Roger Dean
Teddy Osei of Osibisa Dies At Age 88

Teddy Osei, a founding member of London based African band Osibisa, has died in London at the age of 88.

5 days ago