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
Crystal Closet Queen
Leon Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she knows who she is.
Left my home down in the heart of Georgia
Headed out to Hollywood.
All I took with me was my healing music,
Preaching every step that I could.
You ain't heard my rock and roll music,
I can wash dishes down in Macon, Georgia
And help a blind eye to see.
I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
Well I'm gonna a little this song of love for you one more time,
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
Lord, the beauty's on duty, you know we're gonna have a time.
Move on up to heaven.
Headed up the highway, feelin all right today.
All I got with me is my faith in Jesus,
To show me every step of the way.
Sticks can't burn me, fire can't turn me,
Away from my rock and roll road.
I got a rainbow round my beautiful face,
And I'm living in a pot of gold.
I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
Well I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
Lord, the beauty's on duty, honey you know we're gonna have a time
You know we're gonna have,
You know we're gonna have,
I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
Woh, woh, woh, woh, woh...
I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
Well I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
Lord, the beauty's on duty, you know we're gonna have a time.
"Crystal Closet Queen" is a song about an undiluted rock-and-roll queen, who knows who she is, and about the pursuit of a music career, no matter where it takes you. The singer left their home in Georgia and headed to Hollywood with only their healing music to guide them. The lyrics describe the singer's unique sound, different from anything else that has been heard. The irony is that the singer is willing to do anything, even washing dishes, to hone their craft and follow their dream. The chorus repeats the line "I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time, (Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)," celebrating the beauty and power of the rock-and-roll queen.
The song paints a picture of someone chasing their dream, even if it takes them away from home and they have to work hard to achieve it. The references to fire and sticks allude to obstacles that can't thwart the singer's drive. The "rainbow round my beautiful face" and "pot of gold" imagery suggest the singer's optimism and success.
Line by Line Meaning
This songs dedicated to the undiluted queen of rock and roll,
The song is a tribute to a female rock and roll artist who is unapologetically herself.
And she knows who she is.
The artist being referenced is confident in her identity.
Left my home down in the heart of Georgia
The singer left their hometown in Georgia.
Headed out to Hollywood.
They moved to Hollywood.
All I took with me was my healing music,
The artist only took their music with them on the journey.
Preaching every step that I could.
They spread their music wherever they went.
You ain't heard my rock and roll music,
The singer believes their music is unique and hasn't been heard yet.
You ain't never seen nothing like me.
They believe their style and identity is new and fresh.
I can wash dishes down in Macon, Georgia
The artist is willing to do any job, even if it's menial.
And help a blind eye to see.
They believe their music has healing powers and can help people.
I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
The singer plans to perform another love song.
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
This line is likely just a fun, nonsensical phrase or a reference to the famous rock and roll song 'Tutti Frutti' by Little Richard.
Well I'm gonna a little this song of love for you one more time,
Repeating the intention of singing another love song.
Lord, the beauty's on duty, you know we're gonna have a time.
The artist is beautiful and ready to party.
Move on up to heaven.
The singer wants to elevate their status or achieve something great.
Headed up the highway, feelin all right today.
The artist is on the road, feeling good about the journey.
All I got with me is my faith in Jesus,
The artist is religious and relies on their faith to guide them.
To show me every step of the way.
They believe their faith will guide their journey and make it easier.
Sticks can't burn me, fire can't turn me,
The singer is resilient and determined to not be stopped by anything.
Away from my rock and roll road.
Their path involves music and they won't be deterred from it.
I got a rainbow round my beautiful face,
The artist is proud of their appearance and identity.
And I'm living in a pot of gold.
They feel successful and fortunate in life.
I'm gonna sing a little song of love for you one more time,
Repeating the intention to sing another love song.
(Tutti frutti, the beauty's on duty)
This line is likely just a fun, nonsensical phrase or a reference to the famous rock and roll song 'Tutti Frutti' by Little Richard.
Lord, the beauty's on duty, honey you know we're gonna have a time
The artist is beautiful and ready to have fun.
You know we're gonna have,
They are confident that they and their audience will have fun together.
Woh, woh, woh, woh, woh...
Nonsensical singing noises.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Leon Russell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.