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
Because of You
Leon Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because of you the sun will shine the moon and stars will say you're mine
Forever and never to part
I only live for your love and your kiss it's paradise to be near you like this
Because of you my life is now worthwhile and I can smile because of you
Leon Russell's song "Because of You" is a romantic love song that speaks about the transformative power of love. The song's opening lyrics speak of how the mere presence of a person can inspire us to feel good things, like singing or feeling happy. For the singer, their romance began because they were with the person they love. They felt happiness which in turn led to a brighter outlook on life.
The chorus of the song centers around how the singer is so in love with their partner that everything around them seems brighter, from the sun’s shining to the moon and stars shining above. They feel as if their love is written in the stars, and the very universe is confirming their love for each other. The lyrics show a sense of hope and foreverness in the relationship. The song concludes with the singer expressing how their partner has changed their life for the better. Their life is now more meaningful, and they can feel joy because of their love.
Line by Line Meaning
Because of you there's a song in my heart
My heart is full of joy and happiness because of you
because of you my romance had its start
You are the reason why my love life began and flourished
Because of you the sun will shine
You bring brightness and positivity in my life
the moon and stars will say you're mine
The universe conspires to bring us together and make us one
Forever and never to part
Our love is eternal and we will always be together
I only live for your love and your kiss
You are the center of my universe and I am devoted to you
it's paradise to be near you like this
Being with you is heavenly and my heart is filled with bliss
Because of you my life is now worthwhile
You give meaning and purpose to my existence
and I can smile because of you
Your presence and love bring a smile to my face and fill me with happiness
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Arthur Hammerstein, Dudley Wilkinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@barbaratrelhaoliveira3289
I've been so many places in my life and time
I've sung a lot of songs
I've made some bad rhymes
I've acted out my life in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now
And I'm singing this song to you
I know your image of me
Is what I hoped to be
I treated you unkindly
But darling, can't you see?
There's no one more important to me
Baby, can't you see through me?
'Cause we're alone now
And I'm singing this song to you
You taught me precious secrets
Of a true love withholding nothing
You came out in front when I was hiding
Now I'm so much better
And if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody
'Cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place
Where there's no space or time
I love you for my life
You're a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone
And I was singing this song to you
I love you in a place
Where there's no space or time
I love you for my life
You're a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone
And I was singing this song to you
We were alone
And I was singing this song to you
We were alone
And I was singing this song, mm
Singing this song to you
@Veronica.John10-10
A Song for You
/
Lyrics
I've been so many places in my life and time
I've sung a lot of songs
I've made some bad rhymes
I've acted out my life in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now
And I'm singing this song to you
I know your image of me
Is what I hoped to be
I treated you unkindly
But darling, can't you see?
There's no one more important to me
Baby, can't you see through me?
'Cause we're alone now
And I'm singing this song to you
You taught me precious secrets
Of a true love withholding nothing
You came out in front when I was hiding
Now I'm so much better
And if my words don't come together
Listen to the melody
'Cause my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place
Where there's no space or time
I love you for my life
You're a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone
And I was singing this song to you
I love you in a place
Where there's no space or time
I love you for my life
You're a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone
And I was singing this song to you
We were alone
And I was singing this song to you
We were alone
And I was singing this song, mm
Singing this song to you
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Leon Russell
A Song for You lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
@roar880
No auto tune. No accompaniment. No Pro Tools. A dude. A piano. Some lyrics. One voice. Goddamn when music was music. Doesn’t get much better than this folks. Raw, pure and what it’s all about.
@athuronyi
I was just thinking about how autotune would ruin this.
@LlyleHunter
Pure authenticity
@scat1997
Spot on review. "A dude. A piano..." Well said. Leon sang the heck out of his song. A tip of the hat to you and your review.
@loriholman1459
Should take a listen to GVF.
@meralindaowings3602
AMEN!To that!
@Swalker20659
One of the best songs ever written. Leon Russell was so under appreciated its almost criminal.
@gogoyubari366
What makes you believe he's underrated? Did you travel the globe taking a survey from every citizen of the world? Please explain.
@Swalker20659
@@gogoyubari366 Exactly. It took me a long time but yes I interviewed everyone. Most people have no idea who he is.
@communitypark2313
Interviewed "everyone"? Who are these people & what age demographic? Just know that Leon Russell was not "under appreciated" in his time. He was a brilliant pianist, songwriter & unique stylist. He grew old, had health issues & withdrew. Live long enough...it will happen to all of us!