Millennials know Russell from Union, his joint 2010 album with Elton John, but his musical career dates back to his teenage years in Tulsa during the 1950's where rubbed shoulders with the likes of J.J. Cale and David Gates of Bread.
But when I think of Russell, I associate him with Joe Cocker and Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour which grew out of Russell's association with Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. I particularly think of Russell accompanying Cocker on piano with their rendition of "The Letter".
Did you know that Russell played piano on Bobby Pickett's "Monster Mash"?
Did you know that Russell played xylophone on Brian Hyland's "The Joker Went Wild"?
And did you also know Russell played piano on Badfinger's "Day After Day"?
And did you further know he co-wrote Gary Lewis & The Playboy's "She's Just My Style"?
Quite honestly, I am merely scratching the surface. In his half century of music, Russell played rock, country, gospel and jazz. If he didn't cut a track with a musical superstar then a musical superstar recorded one of his songs like "A Song for You" or "Tightrope". On the surface Bob Dylan would have little in common with Doris Day as Barbra Streisand would with The Rolling Stones. But all four of them worked with Russell.
But it wasn't until his collaboration with Elton John that got Russell his well deserved place in The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. John began his career by opening for Leon Russell & he felt the need to return the favor. As such, I leave you with Russell and John's "If It Wasn't For Bad".
He was scheduled to do a gig up here in Plymouth, at "The Flying Monkey," but cancelled. Now I guess we know why.
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