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
I Really Miss You
Leon Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me say the things I used to say before.
Always on my mind, I tell myself that I'm only wasting time away
From you, it's true.
I need to kiss you, not here at the guard
'Cause I still feel the things I used to feel before.
There's no wrong or right, there's only after night,
I was a fool to try to break on love
I was a fool, too blind to see.
No, I won't make the same mistake, my love,
If you come back to me.
I really miss you, will forever more.
Let me say the things I used to say before.
Holding you like this, the memories with each kiss,
Tell me why I miss you so.
I can't let go of you,
I can't let go of you.
I won't make the same mistake, my love
If you come back to me.
I really miss you, I will forever more.
I still feel the things I used to feel before.
The longer we both wait we turn the hands of faith
One day may be too late
And so, we both must know what we must do.
Do you miss me to?
Can't get over you.
Please don't say we're through,
I'm still in love with you.
The song I Really Miss You by Leon Russell is a powerful nostalgic ballad that speaks of a love that is missed and the yearning to have it back. The lyrics convey a longing to reconnect with a past love, to hold hands, to kiss and to say the things that were said before. Russell's vocals display his emotions of missing someone and wanting reconciliation with them. The lyrics also reveal regret about past mistakes and the pain of a love lost. The phrase "I was a fool" speaks to the mistakes made and the resulting understanding and growth that has come from them. The chorus, repeated twice, emphasizes the depth of the love and the steadfastness of the emotion.
The verses of the song reveal the details of the relationship that was once shared, including memories and the physical experiences that they had with each other. The presence of the past love in the singer's mind is constant, with the memories being triggered by mundane situations. The lyrics culminate in the plea to not let the opportunity of love pass by, where the singer recognizes that they must take action to avoid losing the love forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I really miss you, will forever more.
I am deeply longing for you and will continue to do so indefinitely.
Let me say the things I used to say before.
Allow me to express my past feelings towards you once more.
Always on my mind, I tell myself that I'm only wasting time away
From you, it's true.
I cannot stop thinking about you and know that my time apart from you is unproductive.
I need to kiss you, not here at the guard
'Cause I still feel the things I used to feel before.
I desire to be close to you and experience our past emotions together.
There's no wrong or right, there's only after night,
If you turn off the light, I'll know which way to go with you.
Our relationship is not defined by what is right or wrong, only by our connection. If we dim the lights, it will be clear that we should be together.
I was a fool to try to break on love
I was a fool, too blind to see.
No, I won't make the same mistake, my love,
If you come back to me.
I regret attempting to end our love and realize my mistake. If given the chance, I will not repeat it.
Holding you like this, the memories with each kiss,
Tell me why I miss you so.
When I hold you, each kiss brings back memories of our past, yet I still cannot fathom why I miss you so intensely.
I can't let go of you,
I can't let go of you.
I am unable to move on from you and let you go.
I won't make the same mistake, my love
If you come back to me.
I promise not to repeat my past error if you return to me.
The longer we both wait we turn the hands of faith
One day may be too late
And so, we both must know what we must do.
As time passes, our fate is affected. We must recognize that action is necessary before it's too late.
Do you miss me too?
Can't get over you.
Please don't say we're through,
I'm still in love with you.
I wonder if you also miss me and cannot move on. Please do not end our relationship, as I am still enamored with you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL ANKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adie Burton
I miss many people, I miss Leon Russel, but your music will live on forever. thank you for the inspirations over the years.
Richard Burrowes
Timeless wonder..so enjoyed the years of listening..bless you
helen dower
More treasure from the master of treasures. Thank you!
joe pipi
I am listening to my favorite songs ｂｙ Leon Russell tonight. I really love your songs. Thank you.
Cathy Townsend Clarke
Dear Leon, you continue to bless me with your music even though your physical body is alive no more. I love you in a deep way and always will. I'll see you in heaven!
Steve Malysz
Amazing Leon...thank you for posting this my friend:)
Clay Simerly
a true master of space & time !!! thank you .
Nani Moon
Happy Birthday in Heaven, sweet Leon... you are sorely missed. 4/2/18
Buckus Paul
one of few songs that bring tears to my eyes
Karmen Jazbec
YOU WILL FOREVER BE IN MY HEART DAD