Many of his songs became hits for others, among them Superstar (written with Bonnie Bramlett) for the Carpenters, Delta Lady for Joe Cocker and This Masquerade for George Benson. More than 100 acts have recorded his A Song for You, which Mr. Russell said he wrote in 10 minutes.
Hitmaker Leon Russell dies age 74
Hitmaker Leon Russell died today aged 74, in what is another huge loss to the music world that may sadly be overlooked due to the death of Leonard Cohen over the weekend.
The longhaired pianist, guitarist, songwriter and bandleader who played in the background of countless recording sessions and was responsible for making many hits on his own, died in his sleep on Sunday in Nashville.
According to The New York Times:
By the time he released his first solo album, in 1970, he had already played on hundreds of songs as one of the top studio musicians in Los Angeles. He was in Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound Orchestra, and he played sessions for Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, the Ventures and the Monkees, among many others. His piano playing is heard on Mr. Tambourine Man by the Byrds, A Taste of Honey by Herb Alpert, Live With Me by the Rolling Stones and all of the Beach Boys’ early albums, including Pet Sounds.
Elton John also credited Leon Russell as his biggest influence. Known as the musician's musician, Leon Russell will be sorely missed by the music world. Vale Leon Russell.
Read his full obituary in The New York Times
3 comments
3 comments
Delta Lady was a great song.