New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell has died in Nashville at the age of 74. His wife, Jan, said through an intermediary that the legendary musician and songwriter had died Sunday in his sleep in Nashville.
"Leon Russell died on Nov. 13, 2016 in Nashville at the age of 74. His wife said that he passed away in his sleep," Russell's website wrote. "The Master Of Space And Time was a legendary musician and songwriter originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma who performed his gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music for over 50 years."
Elton John, who collaborated with Russell on 2010's The Union, paid tribute to the musician on Instagram. "My darling Leon Russell passed away last night. He was a mentor, inspiration and so kind to me," John wrote. "Thank God we caught up with each other and made The Union. He got his reputation back and felt fulfilled. I loved him and always will."
Leon Russell (born
Claude Russell Bridges; April 2, 1942 - November 13, 2016) was an American musician and songwriter, who recorded as a session musician and sideman, and maintained a solo career.
As a songwriter, he wrote songs including "Delta Lady", recorded by Joe Cocker, and organized Cocker's "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" tour in 1969. More than 100 acts have recorded his "A Song for You" (1970). As a pianist, he played in his early years on albums by the
Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. On his first album, Leon Russell, in 1970, musicians included John Lennon, Ringo Starr and
George Harrison. One of his biggest early fans, Elton John, said Russell was a "mentor" and "inspiration", and they recorded The Union in 2010, John's only duet album, later nominated for a Grammy.
Russell later produced and played during recording sessions for numerous musicians, including Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike & Tina Turner, and the Rolling Stones. His own hits which he wrote and recorded included "
Tight Rope" and "Lady Blue". He performed at the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 along with Dylan and Eric Clapton. In 2011 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where he was introduced by Elton John.
Discography:
1968 - Look Inside the Asylum Choir (with Marc Benno)
1970 - Leon Russell
1971 - Leon Russell and the Shelter People
1971 - Asylum Choir II (with Marc Benno)
1972 - Carney
1973 - Leon Live
1973 - Hank Wilson's Back Vol. I
1974 - Stop All That Jazz
1975 - Will O' the Wisp
1976 - Wedding Album (with Mary Russell)
1977 - Make Love to the
Music (with Mary Russell)
1978 - Americana
1979 - One for the Road (with Willie Nelson)
1979 - Life and Love
1981 - The Live Album (with New Grass Revival)
1984 - Hank Wilson, Vol. II
1984 - Solid State
1989 - Leon Russell
1991 - Delta Lady[112]
1992 - Anything Can Happen
1992 - Crazy Love
1995 - Hymns of Christmas
1998 - Legend in My Time: Hank Wilson Vol. III
1999 - Face in the Crowd
1999 - Blues: Same Old Song
2000 - Live at Gilley's
2001 - Guitar Blues
2001 - Signature Songs
2001 - Rhythm & Bluegrass: Hank Wilson, Vol. 4 (with New Grass Revival)
2002 - Moonlight & Love Songs (with the Nashville Symphony)
2003 - In Your Dreams
2003 - Bad Country
2003 -
Almost Piano
2006 - A Mighty Flood
2006 -
Angel in Disguise
2010 - The Union (with Elton John)
2014 - Life Journey
