Leon Russell

[Cowguy]

Dead at 74.

Been a tough year. http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/hall-of-fame-rocker-leon-russell-passes-away-at-74

 

[Cowguy]

 

[Anodyne]

F*ck

 

[CarrolltonPoke]

 

[Cowguy]

Few really understand his genius. Man ... you know they can't last forever, but this one truly makes me sad.

 

[HighStickHarry_]

A member of a great era.

 

[hollywood]

He was instrumental in so many of the greatest songs every recorded, just as a key member of the "wrecking crew" to have made a lasting impression in the music world. But when you consider how influential he was with his own career and original music, he's almost without compare.

This one is going to leave a mark. As Cowguy said, you knew he wasn't going to last forever, but this is really a sad day.

 

[JimmyBob]

First saw him live playing keyboard with Willie at the Ft. Worth Coliseum back in mid-ish 70's. Lastly, saw him live with Elton at BOK. Damn, another great one lost - RIP!!

 

[purkey]

pretty amazing guy who was even greater than his success. Don't think he ever got all the credit he deserved. I can't remember but I'm sure someone can, but he was also instrumental in creating new sound techniques in the studio that everyone began to copy. He was truly unique...there won't be another Leon Russell.

 

[mseabolt]

He's been part of my musical intake for 40 years or so .. Dude was entertaining, eccentric, talented .. He'll be missed but the songs will live on.

Saw a documentary a couple years ago at the OKC Museum of Art about him "A Poem is a Naked Person" . just a thrown together bunch of video but focuses on his years up around Grand Lake 1972 - 1974. Some awesome footage

 

[Air_Thurman]

He's been part of my musical intake for 40 years or so .. Dude was entertaining, eccentric, talented .. He'll be missed but the songs will live on.

Saw a documentary a couple years ago at the OKC Museum of Art about him "A Poem is a Naked Person" . just a thrown together bunch of video but focuses on his years up around Grand Lake 1972 - 1974. Some awesome footage

I saw it a SXSW a couple years back and Leon Russell was actually in the crowd. I don't know if it is available to watch anywhere but if people can track it down it is worth your time. There is footage of George Jones singing that blew me away.

 

[hollywood]

In 1973, more people saw Leon Russel in concert than any other artist.

He was the band leader for the now legendary Joe Cocker's Mad Dog's and Englishmen tour, AND played with Willie Nelson the other half of the year.

If you've never heard it, perhaps take a listen to the Bonnie Bramlett version of "Groupie" which later was named "Superstar" and had all the soul sucked from it by the Carpenters. Bramlett and Russel wrote it together on their tour bus, when Russel was playing dates during the Delaney and Bonnie and Friends tour, with Clapton on guitar.

 

[Cowguy]

I remember hearing George Benson's version of mascarade and hating it. As awesome as some of the voices are that have recorded his songs ... I'll always prefer his.

Funny - my mother loved him. He's probably the only artist, who I consider a favorite, that I learned of from my mother (that nostalgia is, I'm certain, why this hits me so hard). She bought "Leon Russell", when I was maybe 8, and I wore it out. She owned literally everything he put out. I'd love to have all those albums today, but she gave all her vinyl to a relative of my stepfather ... including all her stuff from college etc. (bummer).

He's also one of the artists my wife and I completely agree on. I remember first time I played him for her that she didn't like his voice. After about two listens she loved him. Lyrically, melodically, musically he is just a giant.

 

[anon_xl72qcu5isp39]

Really hate to see him go. What a giant. A Song for You is about the strongest love song ever, particularly when Ray Charles covered it.