The long-out-of-print 2001 release, Signature Songs, was re-issued on March 17 and features a collection of the star’s reinvented classics, seeing stripped-down versions and unique re-imaginings of several of the hits throughout his 60-year career.
Leon Russell, the longhaired, scratchy-voiced pianist, guitarist, songwriter and bandleader who moved from playing countless recording sessions to making hits on his own, died in Nashville. He was 74.
Mr. Russell’s health had incurred significant setbacks in recent years. In 2010, he underwent surgery for a brain fluid leak and was treated for heart failure. In July he had a heart attack and was scheduled for further surgery, according to a news release from the historical society of Oklahoma, his home state.
When, on November 13, Russell died at his Nashville home at the age of 74, Elton was once again fulsome in his praise of his friend writing a simple, heartfelt note on social media that read:
“My darling Leon Russell passed away last night. He was a mentor, inspiration and so kind to me. 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.”
Many of his songs became hits for others, among them “Superstar” (written with Bonnie Bramlett) for the Carpenters, “Delta Lady” for Mr. Cocker and “This Masquerade” for George Benson. More than 100 acts have recorded “A Song for You,” which Mr. Russell said he wrote in 10 minutes.While Gram Parsons is often considered the poster boy of Cosmic American Music, Leon Russell was the most prolific exponent of that synthesis of gospel, blues, rock, country and old-time storytelling that poured out of the US in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Indeed, as the latter decade dawned, Russell was a man at the very heart of modern music.
Born Claude Russell Bridges in Lawton, Oklahoma, in 1942, he began playing classical piano at an early age, overcoming a birth defect that slightly paralyzed the right hand side of his body and forced him to lead with his left hand. Inspired by R&B and the first generation of rock’n’roll stars, by the time he turned 14 he’d begun gigging around Tulsa’s clubs. After backing the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis with his band, The Starlighters, he moved to Los Angeles while still in his teens.
Now calling himself Leon Russell, his classical training stood him in good stead as he joined famed session outfit The Wrecking Crew, and worked on countless sessions by the likes of The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, The Byrds and Ike And Tina Turner with producers including Don Costa, Jack Nitzsche and Phil Spector.
He also joined the house band on TV show Shindig! – one particular performance of Roll Over Beethoven on November 18, 1964 typifying his ability to blend the odd neo-classical flourish with Chuck Berry’s 1956 classic.
