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
My Funny Valentine
Leon Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable, un-photographable
Yet, you're my favorite work of art
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
When you open it to speak
But, don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
Is your figure less than Greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?
But, don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
The song "My Funny Valentine" by Leon Russell is a classic love ballad that has become a standard for jazz musicians over the years. The song is addressed to a lover who is not conventionally attractive, but is still beloved to the singer. The singer admires their partner's humor and their ability to make them smile, even though their looks may not be considered traditionally attractive or photogenic.
The singer asks a series of questions about their partner's appearance and intelligence, but ultimately reassures them that they don't need to change a thing in order to be loved. The chorus encourages the partner to stay "little valentine" each and every day, as every day can be a celebration of love.
Line by Line Meaning
My funny valentine, sweet comic valentine
My beloved partner, who brings joy and laughter into my life
You make me smile with my heart
Your love brings genuine happiness into my life
Your looks are laughable, un-photographable
Your appearance may not fit societal standards of attractiveness, but to me, you are unique and beautiful beyond any photo
Yet, you're my favorite work of art
In my eyes, you are a masterpiece, worth more than any physical object
Is your figure less than Greek?
Do you conform to the unrealistic and idealized body standards of ancient Greece?
Is your mouth a little weak?
Do you have trouble speaking or communicating effectively?
When you open it to speak
When you do speak, do you have something meaningful to say?
Are you smart?
Do you possess intelligence, knowledge, and wit?
But, don't change a hair for me
I love you just the way you are, and do not wish for you to change anything about yourself
Not if you care for me
If you truly love me, you will be yourself and not try to conform to any societal standards of beauty or intelligence
Stay little valentine, stay
Please stay with me, my dear partner
Each day is Valentine's Day
Every day that I spend with you is filled with love and affection, just like Valentine's Day
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D Burch
This is exquisite.
For me , the older Leon became, the more raspy and distinctively,”Leon,” his voice became.
One of a kind.
Malcolm Bliss
That last tour he did, with the band of teenagers, was amazing. I saw him at a small bar in columbus. Just phenomenal.
Peter Lyons
Leon lit it up our world with standards like this and slayed us with his own. RIP my prince of melancholy.
Tripp Justice
sorry to be so off topic but does anyone know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account??
I was stupid lost the login password. I would love any help you can give me
Kason Damien
@Tripp Justice instablaster :)
Grandpanonymous nonymous
Damn! He tore this song up! I'd never heard it before. Thank you.
Rebecca Dess
I also was not aware of Leon Russell in his early days. I was too busy with my children. I discovered him shortly before passed away. Makes me so sad. Can't get enough of him l love listening to him. Gone too soon RIP Leon❤️
Bruce Kaplan
you still have the rest of your life to explore his artistry..enjoy!
Jean Pagan
Crystal, you have done an incredible job w/ the photographs that you put together for this incredible rendition of this song by the Master. My hat is off to you both. RIP Mr. Bridges & Thank you for all your beautiful music.
butch ask
who s thetrumphet player ?