![]() ![]() I figured this was my chance to eat in a lot of restaurants and travel around, play some rock and roll music, which I decided was easier and better.”Īt the age of 17, Russell moved from Tulsa to Los Angeles, quickly climbing the nightclub ranks to emerge as one of the city’s most in-demand session musicians. ![]() “ROTC I had to take, and right away I knew that I didn’t want to do that. I’d just spent three days, twelve hours a day, taking entrance examinations to Tulsa University and I just thought, well, it’s a waste of time, ’cause I have to study so many things I’m not interested in,” Russell told Rolling Stone in 1970. “When I had a chance to go on the road with Jerry Lee Lewis. While in high school, Russell formed a band called the Starlighters upon graduating, Jerry Lee Lewis recruited him to join his touring unit. Russell, an inductee of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, dealt with a string of health problems in recent years, including surgery to stop leaking brain fluid in 2010 and a heart attack that he suffered this July that required surgery.īorn Claude Russell Bridges outside Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1942, Russell began playing the city’s nightclubs when he was still a teenager. He got his reputation back and felt fulfilled. “Thank God we caught up with each other and made The Union. He was a mentor, inspiration and so kind to me,” John wrote. “My darling Leon Russell passed away last night. We appreciate everyone’s love and support.”Įlton John, who collaborated with Russell on 2010’s The Union, paid tribute to the musician on Instagram. He was recovering from heart surgery in July and looked forward to getting back on the road in January. “My husband passed in his sleep in our Nashville home. “We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this very, very difficult time,” Russell’s wife Jan Bridges wrote in a statement. “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.” His wife said that he passed away in his sleep,” Russell’s website wrote. Leon Russell, renowned multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who collaborated with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, the Rolling Stones and Elton John over the course of 50 years in the music industry, died Sunday. ![]()
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