Singer, songwriter and renowned multi-instrumentalist Leon Russell died at his Nashville home on Sunday. His wife, Jan, confirmed via Russell’s official website that he had passed away in his sleep. He was 74.
“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,” the web post continued.
During those five decades, Russell collaborated with artists such as Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Elton John, the latter of which inducted Russell into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
• Celebrity Reaction: What Elton John, Steve Martin and more are saying about Leon Russell’s death
John, who worked with Russell on the pair’s 2010 album, “The Union,” paid tribute to his fallen friend via his official Instagram.
“My darling Leon Russell passed away last night. He was a mentor, inspiration and so kind to me,” John wrote in his post. “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.”
Besides his music, Russell was known for his striking appearance: wispy white hair halfway down his back and that covered much of his face.
He wrote Joe Cocker’s “Delta Lady” and in 1969 put together Cocker’s “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” tour, which spawned a documentary film and a hit double album.
As a musician, primarily a pianist, he played on The Beach Boys’ “California Girls” and Jan and Dean’s “Surf City.” He also played guitar and bass.
He recorded hit songs himself like “Tight Rope” and “Lady Blue” and participated in “The Concert for Bangla Desh.” John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison played on his first album, “Leon Russell.”
• Photos: Leon Russell, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, dies At 74
His concerts often ended with a rousing version of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” In 1973, Billboard Magazine listed Russell as the top concert attraction in the world. About this time, he was the headline act on billings that included Elton John and at other times Willie Nelson.
In a 1992 interview with The Associated Press, Russell said music doesn’t really change much.
“It’s cyclical, like fashion. You keep your old clothes and they’ll be in style again sooner or later.
“There are new things, like rap. But that’s a rebirth of poetry. It’s brought poetry to the public consciousness.”
Russell, born in Lawton, Oklahoma, began as a nightclub piano player in Oklahoma at the age of 14, also backing touring artists when they came to town. Jerry Lee Lewis was so impressed with Russell that he hired Russell and his band for two years of tours.
He relocated to Los Angeles in 1959, where he became known as a top musician, and later to Nashville.
In the early 2000s he began his own record label, Leon Russell Records.
• Video: Leon Russell performs “Amazing Grace” at 2011 Stagecoach Festival
In 2011, the same year Russell was inducted by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he was also added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his contributions to the rock, blues and country music genres including songs like “A Song For You,” which has been covered by artists like Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock and Christina Aguilera, “Lady Blue,” “Ballad of a Soldier,” “This Masquerade” and many, many more.
Russell, who frequently performed at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, had dealt with numerous health issues in recent years. During the recording of “The Union” in 2010, Russell underwent surgery for leaking brain fluid and this past July, Russell suffered a heart attack that required an emergency bypass surgery.
Aside from the memorable intimate Coach House gigs and the Southern California sets alongside John on The Union Tour in 2010, Russell delivered a powerful performance during his turn on the Palomino stage at the annual Stagecoach Festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio in 2011. Just before he started his set, word spread of the demise of Osama bin Laden and Russell proudly marked the occasion by hitting the keys and performing an upbeat, jazzy version “Amazing Grace.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
