Leon Russell
Leon Russell (Claude Russell Bridges, April 2, 1942 - November 13, 2016) wa… Read Full Bio ↴Leon Russell (Claude Russell Bridges, April 2, 1942 - November 13, 2016) was an American musician and songwriter, who has recorded as a session musician, sideman, and maintained a solo career in music.
Born in Lawton, Oklahoma, United States, Russell began playing piano at the age of four. He attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also at Will Rogers High School were Anita Bryant, who was one year older, and in the same 1959 class, David Gates. Russell and Gates played and recorded together as the Fencement. Another student at Will Rogers during this time was Elvin Bishop, although he was a few years younger than the previously mentioned. During this time Russell was already performing at Tulsa nightclubs. After moving to Los Angeles in the late 1950s, he became a session musician, working as a pianist on the recordings of many notable 1960s musical artists. By the late 1960s, Russell diversified, becoming successful as an arranger and songwriter. By 1970, he had graduated to solo recording artist, although he never ended his previous roles within the music industry. After performing country music under the name Hank Wilson in the 1970s and 1980s, Russell had largely faded into obscurity. He re-emerged in 2010 when Elton John called on him to record an album that became The Union. The album brought renewed popularity to Russell who has since released a solo album and toured around the world.
Russell was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011. In June, 2011, Leon Russell was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Known as a session musician and artist in his own right, Russell has played with artists as varied as Jerry Lee Lewis, Phil Spector and The Rolling Stones. With a solo career spanning the genres of rock, blues, and gospel, Russell began his musical career at 14, lying about his age to land a gig playing backup at a Tulsa nightclub to play with Ronnie Hawkins behind Jerry Lee Lewis. Two years later, after settling in Los Angeles, he studied guitar with James Burton, and worked sessions with Dorsey Burnette and Glen Campbell.
After becoming a part of Phil Spector's studio group, Russell played backup on many of the most popular hits of the 1960s, including The Byrds, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and Herb Alpert. He also served as Snuff Garrett's assistant on numerous productions. Russell built his own recording studio in 1967, and recorded his first LP, Look Inside the Asylum Choir, in a collaboration with Marc Benno.
His first songwriting hit was Joe Cocker's 1970 cover of "Delta Lady", and Russell went on to organise Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. Shortly thereafter, Russell released another solo album, Leon Russell, which included the original version of the popular "A Song for You". Also in 1970, Russell played piano on Dave Mason's album, Alone Together (notably, on the song "Sad and Deep as You").
During the 60's and 70's, Russell had a large mansion home in Tulsa near Woodward Park and was much an attraction for teenagers growing up in Tulsa. He also owned the infamous Church Recording Studio on 3rd street there, a meeting place for Russell and many friends. The Church Studio is now owned by Glen Mitchell and one-time Russell studio engineer Steve Ripley of the country band The Tractors. Russell still records there frequently.
Russell also owned a large home on Grand Lake, in northeast Oklahoma. It stills stands near Dripping Springs, remodeled now, but a fond reminder of the days gone by for the now-grown kids in Oklahoma. At one time, it stood to be one of the largest homes on the lake. The home is now owned by Tulsa chiropractor and Leon Russell enthusiast Dr. F.J. Huskey. The home still contains the famous dining room table and chairs made from church pews from his Church Studio. On the property stands a private recording studio that has seen many famous names, including members of The Beatles.
In 1971, Russell appeared at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh (performing a memorable medley of the songs "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Young Blood"), after recording sessions with B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan, and went on to tour with the Rolling Stones. After focusing increasingly on his solo career, his album Carney reached #2 on the charts, although the two following albums were not received as well.
During the 70's, Russell continued to pop in occasionally and perform in Tulsa at the Paradise Club and other noted music spots around town. He surprised his fans one night performing with Flash Eddy and the Eclectics at the Paradise.
His 1975 album Will O'the Wisp was fairly commercially successful, as was its single "Lady Blue". Gailard Sartain, fondly remembered by Tulsans as Mezeppa Pompazoidi (a Saturday night movie host, joined many times by Gary Busey), did the artwork for Russell's Will 'O the Wisp LP cover.
Later that year, Russell married Mary McCreary, a former member of Sly & the Family Stone's background vocal group Little Sister. The two collaborated on The Wedding Album in 1976, and Russell penned "This Masquerade", which earned a Grammy Award for George Benson. In 1977, Russell and McCreary reunited for another album, and in 1979 Russell worked on a collaboration with Willie Nelson. He spent the next two years touring with the New Grass Revival, and released two more albums with Paradise before the label folded. For several years, he stayed largely out of the music spotlight, releasing Anything Can Happen in 1992, and then releasing two more albums in 1998 and 1999. Russell continues to tour at the age of 71. His bassist, Jack Wessel, has been with Russell close to 25 years. His son with McCreary, Teddy Jack (named after Gary Busey's character on Sartain's show), has also toured with his dad, as well as sisters, Tina Rose and Sugaree.
Pixies vocalist Black Francis credits Russell with influencing his vocal style: "I realize there's a certain kind of vocalizing I do that takes its cue from Leon Russell. He sang in a southern accent but it was very blown-out and exaggerated, very free and loose."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Russell
Born in Lawton, Oklahoma, United States, Russell began playing piano at the age of four. He attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also at Will Rogers High School were Anita Bryant, who was one year older, and in the same 1959 class, David Gates. Russell and Gates played and recorded together as the Fencement. Another student at Will Rogers during this time was Elvin Bishop, although he was a few years younger than the previously mentioned. During this time Russell was already performing at Tulsa nightclubs. After moving to Los Angeles in the late 1950s, he became a session musician, working as a pianist on the recordings of many notable 1960s musical artists. By the late 1960s, Russell diversified, becoming successful as an arranger and songwriter. By 1970, he had graduated to solo recording artist, although he never ended his previous roles within the music industry. After performing country music under the name Hank Wilson in the 1970s and 1980s, Russell had largely faded into obscurity. He re-emerged in 2010 when Elton John called on him to record an album that became The Union. The album brought renewed popularity to Russell who has since released a solo album and toured around the world.
Russell was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011. In June, 2011, Leon Russell was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Known as a session musician and artist in his own right, Russell has played with artists as varied as Jerry Lee Lewis, Phil Spector and The Rolling Stones. With a solo career spanning the genres of rock, blues, and gospel, Russell began his musical career at 14, lying about his age to land a gig playing backup at a Tulsa nightclub to play with Ronnie Hawkins behind Jerry Lee Lewis. Two years later, after settling in Los Angeles, he studied guitar with James Burton, and worked sessions with Dorsey Burnette and Glen Campbell.
After becoming a part of Phil Spector's studio group, Russell played backup on many of the most popular hits of the 1960s, including The Byrds, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and Herb Alpert. He also served as Snuff Garrett's assistant on numerous productions. Russell built his own recording studio in 1967, and recorded his first LP, Look Inside the Asylum Choir, in a collaboration with Marc Benno.
His first songwriting hit was Joe Cocker's 1970 cover of "Delta Lady", and Russell went on to organise Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. Shortly thereafter, Russell released another solo album, Leon Russell, which included the original version of the popular "A Song for You". Also in 1970, Russell played piano on Dave Mason's album, Alone Together (notably, on the song "Sad and Deep as You").
During the 60's and 70's, Russell had a large mansion home in Tulsa near Woodward Park and was much an attraction for teenagers growing up in Tulsa. He also owned the infamous Church Recording Studio on 3rd street there, a meeting place for Russell and many friends. The Church Studio is now owned by Glen Mitchell and one-time Russell studio engineer Steve Ripley of the country band The Tractors. Russell still records there frequently.
Russell also owned a large home on Grand Lake, in northeast Oklahoma. It stills stands near Dripping Springs, remodeled now, but a fond reminder of the days gone by for the now-grown kids in Oklahoma. At one time, it stood to be one of the largest homes on the lake. The home is now owned by Tulsa chiropractor and Leon Russell enthusiast Dr. F.J. Huskey. The home still contains the famous dining room table and chairs made from church pews from his Church Studio. On the property stands a private recording studio that has seen many famous names, including members of The Beatles.
In 1971, Russell appeared at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh (performing a memorable medley of the songs "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Young Blood"), after recording sessions with B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan, and went on to tour with the Rolling Stones. After focusing increasingly on his solo career, his album Carney reached #2 on the charts, although the two following albums were not received as well.
During the 70's, Russell continued to pop in occasionally and perform in Tulsa at the Paradise Club and other noted music spots around town. He surprised his fans one night performing with Flash Eddy and the Eclectics at the Paradise.
His 1975 album Will O'the Wisp was fairly commercially successful, as was its single "Lady Blue". Gailard Sartain, fondly remembered by Tulsans as Mezeppa Pompazoidi (a Saturday night movie host, joined many times by Gary Busey), did the artwork for Russell's Will 'O the Wisp LP cover.
Later that year, Russell married Mary McCreary, a former member of Sly & the Family Stone's background vocal group Little Sister. The two collaborated on The Wedding Album in 1976, and Russell penned "This Masquerade", which earned a Grammy Award for George Benson. In 1977, Russell and McCreary reunited for another album, and in 1979 Russell worked on a collaboration with Willie Nelson. He spent the next two years touring with the New Grass Revival, and released two more albums with Paradise before the label folded. For several years, he stayed largely out of the music spotlight, releasing Anything Can Happen in 1992, and then releasing two more albums in 1998 and 1999. Russell continues to tour at the age of 71. His bassist, Jack Wessel, has been with Russell close to 25 years. His son with McCreary, Teddy Jack (named after Gary Busey's character on Sartain's show), has also toured with his dad, as well as sisters, Tina Rose and Sugaree.
Pixies vocalist Black Francis credits Russell with influencing his vocal style: "I realize there's a certain kind of vocalizing I do that takes its cue from Leon Russell. He sang in a southern accent but it was very blown-out and exaggerated, very free and loose."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Russell
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Leon Russell Lyrics
A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall Tell me, where have you been, my blue-eyed son? Where have…
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall Tell me where have you been, my blue-eyed son? Where have…
A Six Pack To Go Hey mister bartender please dont be so slow ive got time…
A Song for You i've been so many places in my life and times i've sung…
Act Naturally They're gonna put me in the movies They're gonna make a…
Alcatraz Now lay me down on market street I'm begging for some…
Always I'll be loving you, always With a love that's true, always …
Am I Blue Am I blue am I blue ain't these tears in…
Am I That Easy to Forget They say you've found somebody new But that won't stop my…
Away In A Manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little…
Back To The Island Now the day is gone and I sit alone and…
Ballad for a Soldier When I was just a young boy, I played with swords…
Battle Of New Orleans In 1814, we took a little trip Along with Colonel…
Because of You Because of you there's a song in my heart because…
Beware Of Darkness Watch out now, take care Beware of falling swingers Droppi…
Big Lips When I first heard you on the telephone You were so…
Bluebird Yeah, I'm lost in the night The icy wind is howling…
Cajun Love Song Whoa, mama catch a little fishy, papa catch two Well, back…
Can't Get Over Losing You (Mary:) Can I hear the other part too? (Leon:) Hold on, let …
Christmas in Chicago Well, I work up this mornin′ The snow was fallin' on…
Come For You i've been so many places in my life and times i've sung…
Crazy I'm crazy, crazy for feeling so lonely I'm crazy crazy…
Crystal Closet Queen This songs dedicated to the undiluted queen of rock and…
Daddy Sang Bass I remember when I was a lad Times were hard…
Danny Boy Oh Danny boy The pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to…
Delta Lady Woman of the country Now, I found you Longing in your soft A…
Desire In Your Eyes They asked me how I knew my true love was…
Detour Headed down life's crooked road lot of things I never…
Dixie Lullaby Gather round me people, got a song to sing About that…
Don Don't let the stars get in your eyes Don't let the…
Don't Fence Me In Oh give me land lots of land under starry skies…
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes Don't let the stars get in your eyes Don't let the…
Down On Deep River Old Man Moon across the swampy river rise Cast a quiet…
Elvis And Marilyn Well Elvis was handsome His hair was black as night Marilyn …
Far Away Places Far away places with strange sounding names Far away over t…
Fever Never know how much I love you Never know how much…
Footprints in the Snow Some folks like the summertime when they can walk about Stro…
Funny How Time Slips Away Well, hello there! My, it's been a long, long time How…
Give Peace A Chance Give peace a chance Give peace a chance Give peace a chance …
Good Time Charlie Everybody's gone away Said they're movin to L.A. There's not…
Goodnight Irene Irene good night Goodnight Irene good night Goodnight Ire…
Hark The Herald Angels Sing Hark! the herald angels sing, - "Glory to the new-born…
He Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone Let's…
He Stopped Loving Her Today He said "I'll love you till I die", she told…
He'll Have to Go Put your sweet lips a little closer to the phone Let's…
Heartaches By The Number Heartache number one was when you left me I never…
Heartbreak Hotel Oh since my baby left me I've found new place…
Hey Good Lookin Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
High Horse This attitude Is making me crazy It's just a nightmare Or a …
Home Sweet Oklahoma When I was a young man barely seventeen I went on…
Honky Tonk Woman Well I met a California girl in Memphis And she tried…
Hummingbird Oh, sometimes I get impatient But she cools me without words…
Hurtsome Body Two, three When I first saw you down in Tennessee I knew…
I Hung up in a Pennsylvania mining town Got down to Boston…
I Believe to My Soul One of these days and it won't be long You're gonna…
I Put A Spell On You 1, 2, 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 1, 2 I put a…
I Really Miss You I really miss you, will forever more. Let me say the…
I Saw the Light I saw the light I saw the light No more…
I'll Sail My Ship Alone We've been sweethearts for so long But now you say we're…
I'm Movin On That big eight wheeler rollin' down the track Means your tru…
I'm So Lonesome Hear the lonesome whippoorwill He sounds to blue to fly The …
I've Just Seen a Face I've just seen a face I can't forget the time or…
If I Were A Carpenter [CHORUS] If I was a carpenter And you were a lady Would you…
If It Wasn't For Bad I knew from the first night I met you Something just…
If The Shoe Fits Can you get us in free My girlfriend and me We like…
In The Jailhouse Now I had a friend named Camble, eat, cheat and steal…
It It came upon a midnight clear that glorious song of…
It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry Well, I ride on a mail train, babe, can't buy…
It's a Hard Rain Gonna Fall Tell me where have you been, my blue-eyed son? Where have…
It's A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son? Oh, where have…
It’s a Hard Rain Gonna Fall Tell me, where have you been, my blue-eyed son? Where have…
Jambalaya Goodbye Joe, me gotta' go, me oh my oh Me gotta'…
Joy To The World Joy to the world The Lord has come Let earth receive her…
Jumpin I was born in a crossfire hurricane And I howled at…
Lady Blue Well, you're showing me a different side Even asked if the…
Let the Rest of the World Go By With someone like you a pal good and true I'd like…
Let's get started Don't let the stars get in your eyes Don't let the…
Life And Love Goodbye sorrow, hello tomorrow Oh, let's dance again While…
Little Hideaway We got a little hideaway that we go to When we're…
Lost Highway I'm a rolling stone, I'm all alone and lost For a…
Love Is a Battlefield Are you standing outside? Looking up at the sky Cursing a wa…
Love Minus Zero / No Limit My love, she speaks like silence Without ideal or violence S…
Love Minus Zero / No Limits My love, she speaks like silence Without ideals or violence …
Love Minus Zero/No Limit My love, she speaks like silence Without ideals or violence…
Magic Mirror Standin' by the highway Suitcase by my side There's no place…
Make You Feel Good Won′t you come on down to my house, baby, gonna…
Mama Don Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys Don't…
Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grown Up to Be Cowboys Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys Don't…
Mama Don't Let Your Baby's Grow up to Be Cowboys Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys Don't…
Manhattan Island Serenade Sitting on a highway in a broken van Thinking of you…
Masters Of War Come, you masters of war You that build all the guns You…
Me Janie was my first love We shared the pains of school She…
Medley: Jumpin Jack Flash / Youngblood I was born in a crossfire hurricane And I howled at…
My Cricket I was just thinking about you today And the evening we…
My Cricket And Me I was just thinking about you today in the evening Slipped…
My Father What can I say to this town of my woe When…
My Funny Valentine My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine You make me smile …
mystery train Train I ride, sixteen coaches long Train I ride, sixteen co…
Of Thee I Sing Hung up in a Pennsylvania mining town Got down to Boston…
Old Masters Come, you masters of war You that build all the guns You…
On the First Day On the first day You came to me so long ago With…
Once In A While Once in a while will you try to give One little…
One for My Baby It's quarter to three There's no one in the place except…
One More Love Song How many days has it been Since I was born How many…
Out In The Woods (Well I'm going down) going down a hard road (Just don't…
Over The Rainbow Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high There's a land that…
Pisces Apple Lady Get off your bottle Go down and see a friend He'll…
Prince Of Peace Try and judge me only by my time and changes Not…
Queen Of The Roller Derby Gonna tell you a story that you wont believe But I…
Ridin When evening chores are over at our rach house on…
Roll Away the Stone Well it’s such a strange world that I’m living in She…
Roll In My Sweet Baby Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms Rollin' in my sweet baby's…
Roller Derby I'm up in Oakland on a Saturday night Lord, I said…
Rollin Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms Rollin' in my sweet…
Round Midnight It begins to tell, 'Round midnight, midnight. I do pretty we…
Sail My Ship Alone We've been sweethearts for so long But now you say we're…
San Antonio Rose Deep within my heart lies a melody, A song of…
Shadow of Your Smile The shadow of your smile When you have gone Will color all…
She Belongs To Me She's got everything she needs, She's an artist, she don't…
She Smiles Like A River Well she smiles just like a river Rolling softly to the…
She Thinks I Still Care Just because I asked a friend about her, Just because…
Shoot Out At The Plantation Woah, Junior and the drummer are fighting About a woman in…
Shoot Out On The Plantation Junior and the drummer are fighting About a woman in the…
Silent Night Silent night Holy night All is calm all is bright…
Sioux City Sue Sioux City Sue Sioux City Sue your hair is red…
Six Pack To Go Hey mister bartender please dont be so slow ive got time…
Sixteen Tons Some people say man is made out of mud A poor…
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes They asked me how I knew my true love was…
Song for You I've been so many places in my life and time I've…
Spanish Harlem There is a rose in Spanish Harlem A red rose up…
Stormy Weather Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky,…
Strange Love People look at me in such a strange way Well, I…
Stranger In A Strange Land How many days has it been Since I was born How many…
Stranger In a Strange Land (Remastered 95) How many days has it been Since I was born? How many…
Struck by Lightning On a cold and lonely night I came into your life That's…
Summertime Summertime and the livin' is easy Fish are bitin' and…
Superstar Long ago and oh so far away I fell in love…
Sweet Emily All right, There’s a lady I know, And I'm lucky to say, She…
Tenderly The evening breeze caressed the trees tenderly The trembling…
Tennessee Waltz I was dancin' with my darlin' to the Tennessee waltz When…
THAT I can only give you love that lasts forever And the…
That Lucky Old Sun Up in the mornin' out on the job, work like…
That's All I can only give you love that lasts forever And the…
The Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen Let me see here.... Kids, planes, runway strikes Flashy thi…
The Battle of New Orleans In 1814, we took a little trip Along with Colonel…
The First Noel The first Noel the angels did sing Was to certain poor…
The Very Thought Of You The very thought of you and I forget to do…
The Window Up Above I've been living a new way Of life that I love…
There There's no time for waiting No future to see Inside the next…
Think Of Me So now it seems this world has turned on you The…
This Masquerade Are we really happy With this lonely game we play? Looking f…
Tight Rope I'm up on the tight wire One side's ice and one…
Tightrope I'm up on the tightrope , one sides hate and…
Time for Love The shadow of your smile When you have gone Will color all…
To See You Again The news is out, all over town That you've been…
Trouble in Mind I'm gonna lay my head on some lonesome railroad line And…
Truck Drivin Man I stopped at a roadhouse in Texas A little place called…
Tryin Well I'm tryin' to stay 'live And keep my sideburns too Ask…
Tumbling Tumbleweeds I'm a roaming cowboy riding all day long, Tumbleweeds around…
Uncle Pen Oh, the people would come from miles away They'd dance all…
Wabash Cannonball From the great Atlantic ocean To the wide Pacific shore To…
Waltz Across Texas When we dance together, my world's in disguise It's a…
We Three Kings We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar…
When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold When my blue moon turns to gold again When the rainbows…
Whiskey River 1 Whiskey River take my mind Don't let her memory torture me W…
Wild Horses Childhood living is easy to do The things you wanted…
Wild Side of Life Well, you wouldn't read my letters if I wrote you You…
Will The Circle Be Unbroken I was standing by my window, On one cold and cloudy…
You Are My Sunshine You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me…
You Girl Heart's delight In the middle of the night Oh, I feel like I…
You Win Again The news is out, all over town That you've been…
Mark Hayes
on Roll Away The Stone
I think the meaning is very different to that posted above.
The author is Jesus.
The strange time is the period of his crucifixion and death.
She was my women (Mary Magdalene) and he was my friend (his erstwhile friend Judas).
But he was wrong about both.
He's talking to God who is putting him through this strange time and despite that he still loves God.
"Roll away the stone". He's in the cave. He's begging God to open the cave, protecting him and resurrect him for the good of those who'll be around in 2000 years ie us.
He thought God would have filled him in as to when the end of times would occur but he hasn't ("I guess you thought I knew")
He then accuses God of just trying to avoid him (Jesus) but still asks for protect and resurrection.
Mark Hayes
on Roll Away The Stone
The lyric is "She was my woman and HE was my friend". That is, he's talking about two different people.