Famous Oklahoman: Leon Russell

Six gold records and two Gr ammy s would seem enough to most people but stopping at that was not in the roots of famous Oklahoman Leon Russell. To put Russell in a specific music genre would be next to impossible given his various types of music.

April 2. 1942, Oklahoma was the chosen spot for the beginning of Russell, whose birth name was Claude Russell Bridges. Born on. Native soil in Lawton, Okla. At the time it was a place simply named Fort Sill in United States records, another fort established for the protection of relocated F ir st Americans.

Russell began playing piano at age four and seemed to be a natural even at that young age. Russell attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Okla. At Will Rogers High School, Russell rubbed shoulders with another soon to be famous Oklahoman, David Gates, front man for the band Bread. He was also on the list of Famous Oklahomans with the familiar song “Baby I’m-a Want You” .

A little-known interesting fact in the world of music is that Elton John, also an extraordinary artist, opened for Leon Russell and the 1970 collaboration led to the album, “The Union”. Upon their collision, Russell spoke highly of John.

“Elton came and found me in the ditch on the side of the highway of life and took me up to the high stages and treated me like a King,” he said in an interview.

The admiration must have been mutual as John gushed about Russell’s musical talents.

“He is a better piano player than I am, and he is my Idol,” John said.

Quotes like these describing respect and admiration for Russell are easy to find from an array of other famous performers throughout Russell’s career. Based on research on Russell’s life and achievements, it would be safe to assume that in the performance world of freelance artists, Russell not only created the bar, but he set it.

Russell created a music platform unique to his own well mastered talents. However, his plate was full, and his creativity produced plenty to share. Russell wrote songs later recorded by big artists.

One song in particular, “A song For You” was recorded by artists including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Herbie Hancock, Peggy Lee and the band Temptations. “A Song For You” first appeared on Russell’s debut solo released in 1970 on Shelter Records and went on to become one of Russell’s best known timeless compositions.

A few simple lines in the song impart the timeless melody that Russell created. “I’ve been so many places in my life and time”, and “I love you in a place where there’s no space and time” are a couple of the lines that leave a mark of timeless sensation.

Russell multiple accolades including songwriter, arranger, producer, and legend. His style of music was occasionally related to rock, blues, country and even swamp rock. His magical way of combining lyrics, melody, and instruments chiseled American music forever.

Some of his most chosen songs out of 33 albums and at least 430 songs is no easy task, but some of his most Maxwell O’Brien, Honorary Bearers are Rick Orsburn, Sean Keenan, and Shannon Keenan.

well known, in no particular order, include: “Tight Rope”, “Delta Lady”, “Stranger in a Strange Land”, “The Hard Road”, “Superstar”, “The Masquerade” and a long list of others. Russell also has a generous list of songs he wrote for other artists and performers. A famous one co-written with Barbara Streisand was “Lost Inside of You” and performed by

Perhaps one of Russell’s most heartfelt was his song “Home Sweet Oklahoma” that vividly expressed his love for his home and the depth of his true roots. The lyrics in “Home Sweet Oklahoma” ring true with many folks and their Oklahoma roots with lyrics such as, “I’ going back to Tulsa one more time, yea I’ve got home sweet Oklahoma on my mind”.

Russell left this world on November 13, 2016.