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
Rollin
Leon Russell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
I'll lay around this shack
'Til the mail train comes back
An' I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
I ain't gonna work on the railroad
(You ain't gonna work at all if you can help it !)
I'll lay 'round this shack
'Til the mail train comes back
An' I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
I'll lay around this shack
'Til the mail train comes back
An' I'm rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
The song "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms" was originally written in 1931 by the Kentucky-based bluegrass musician, Charlie Monroe. However, it is the cover of the song by Leon Russell that became a hit in the 1970s. The song has an upbeat and catchy tune with repetitive lyrics that make it easy to sing along.
The song is about a man who has no intentions of working and wants to spend his time with his sweetheart instead. He is waiting for the arrival of the mail train, which is his only source of income. He is determined to "roll in his sweet baby's arms" and appears to be content with his simple lifestyle. The song can be interpreted as a rebellion against the traditional work ethic and instead, an expression of the desire to enjoy life with a loved one.
Lyrically, the song is simple with not much to analyze. However, the upbeat melody and catchy rhythm make the song quite enjoyable. The song has become a popular classic at bluegrass festivals and other music events. The song has been covered by numerous artists, including The Grateful Dead, Flatt and Scruggs, and Emmylou Harris.
Line by Line Meaning
Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
I'm happily spending time with my romantic partner.
Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
I'm still enjoying my time with my significant other.
I'll lay around this shack
I have no desire or need to leave this place of comfort.
'Til the mail train comes back
I'll be waiting patiently for something to happen, potentially to bring me further joy or excitement.
An' I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
I plan to continue having fun and feeling connected with my partner.
I ain't gonna work on the railroad
I have no intentions of taking part in laborious work like working on a railroad.
(You ain't gonna work at all if you can help it !)
I'm not going to do any work if I can avoid it, and I'm not the only one with this mindset.
No, I ain't gonna work on the farm
I won't be involved in any type of agricultural labor either.
Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
Despite not working, I'm still enjoying my time with my partner.
Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
I continue to prioritize my relationship and the happiness I receive from it.
I'll lay around this shack
I have found contentment in my current environment and have no desire to leave.
'Til the mail train comes back
I'm still waiting for something to happen, but I am patient and at peace for now.
An' I'm rollin' in my sweet baby's arms
I am still cherishing the closeness and intimacy of my relationship with my partner.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUCK OWENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
C moore
I have liked leon since the late 60's. Growing up just outside of tulsa, to call him a legend is an understatement. A couple weeks ago he played the hard rock, here in tulsa. a very good friend is a musician. leon's daughter, tina sings in his band. Their drummer is brandon, leon's drummer. i hadn't seen leon in years. This time i got a guest pass. Not only back stage but sat with his family. It was great to actually meet him. being 66 years old, i am past the age of awe and got to really enjoy it. He is still great.
John Gargani
wonderful experience for you! Wish I could have met him....