Leon Russell
Biography
Leon Russell, born in Lawton, Oklahoma, in 1942, was an American musician and songwriter. He worked in Los Angeles as a studio pianist for the Wrecking Crew, playing on early sessions for Jan and Dean, the Beach Boys, the Ventures, and Dick Dale. His first album, Leon Russell (1970), included Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. He wrote Delta Lady for Joe Cocker and organized and performed on Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour in 1970. His songs A Song for You and This Masquerade were later recorded by many artists. He won two Grammy Awards from seven nominations and earned six gold records. He performed at The Concert for Bangladesh (1972), which earned him a Grammy, and in 2011 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and also the Songwriters Hall of Fame. With Elton John he recorded The Union (2011), and that record brought a Grammy nomination.
74years old at death
- Born Lawton
- Died Nashville
- Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19
- Claude Russell Bridges (birth name)Also credited as C. R. Bridges, Hank Wilson, Russell Bridges, Claude Bridges and Phil 'Harmonious' Plonk
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 45 years1972 to 2017
Every film, newest first
- 2017Joe Cocker - Mad Dog with SoulIMDb rating 7.2
- 2011The UnionIMDb rating 7.2
- 1972The Concert for BangladeshIMDb rating 8.2
Genres
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About the name
Russell took his stage name from a fake ID he used to get into clubs while he was still a high school student in Oklahoma.
First role
Russell's first record appearance came in 1957 at age 15, playing piano on "Jo-Baby," a song written by his 16-year-old high school classmate David Gates.
Big break
In March 1970 Joe Cocker brought Russell on board to assemble a concert band fast and get it ready for a tour of 48 dates.
Behind the camera
In 1965 Russell built Skyhill Studios, his first recording studio, inside his Hollywood Hills home at 7709 Skyhill Drive. The house had 2,900 square feet and four bedrooms.
About the name
In 1973 Russell invented Hank Wilson, a made-up musical personality, and cut the album Hank Wilson's Back Vol. I at Bradley's Barn, Owen Bradley's studio in Nashville.
Behind the camera
Russell and Denny Cordell founded Shelter Records in 1969, and the label released reggae artist Bob Marley's first American single, "Duppy Conqueror."
Leon Russell movies on Netflix
Worked with
Leon Russell made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Ringo Starr's page
George Harrison's page
Elton John's page
Eric Clapton's page
Bob Dylan's page
Ray Charles's page
Saul SwimmerDirector, 1 film, 1972
All films by Saul Swimmer
John EdgintonDirector, 1 film, 2017
All films by John Edginton
All films by Cameron Crowe
Awards
Three awards and honors from 2006 to 2011, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | |||
| Album of the Year | Won | ||
| Other honors | |||
| 2011 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 2006 | Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.