RIP Leon Russell

[aquariuscsm]

I just found out one of my favorite singers passed away in his sleep last night. My best friend knows Marc Benno (the guy on the left in the first video I posted,and that's how he found out). He was also a member of the Wrecking Crew,the most famous studio band ever!! In the first video,that's Leon on the right with the beard and long hair.

 

[aquariuscsm]

A forewarning,there's a little musician non-PG rated language in the Wrecking Crew interview I just now realized that haha.

 

[Jetronic]

It's sad that we're loosing such a great generation of artists lately. 2016 is a very black year.

 

[The_Eric]

Bummer! This summer has found me getting back into Leon's music. I grew up with it as a child, but had drifted away from it as I grew older. Once I started listening to him again, I did a little light reading- and between that and watching other videos (you catch little comments or off color remarks from noteworthy performers) I finding out how far his influence reached!

While browsing some youtube videos, I came across a concert he did not too long ago- didn't realize had overcome some form of brain tumor and the resulting surgery. Many people never fully recover from those types of procedures at that age, let alone are able to return to performing at that level, and yet Leon did.

Rest in peace Leon Russel!

 

[DBMaster]

And, Leonard Cohen a few days earlier. The generation of poet/songwriters...

 

[jhs914]

We also lost Guy Clark earlier this year. My favorite Leon Russell album iS "Hank Wilson's Back", where he covers classic honky tonk and country songs.

 

[cheech279]

One of the best concerts I ever attended was in 1972 in Conshohocken, PA, headlined by Leon Russell as he was promoting his upstart label, Shelter Records. Leon was excellent live, but Freddie King was the preliminary act and he stole the show. His blend of Texas and Chicago blues was something I'd never heard, and I became an instant fan. King died only four years later.

The 1972 concert was promoted by AM radio station WIBG in Philadelphia, and the concert arrangements had been negotiated on the QT by one of the town councilmen. Boy were the local officials and police surprised when 25,000 or more people showed up.

Leon Russell was still touring earlier this year. Sorry to hear of his passing.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
And, Leonard Cohen a few days earlier. The generation of poet/songwriters...


Yes, Leonard Cohen too. I was just about to see if that had been posted when I saw this thread.

 

[simple_gifts]

Originally Posted By: Rhymingmechanic
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
And, Leonard Cohen a few days earlier. The generation of poet/songwriters...


Yes, Leonard Cohen too. I was just about to see if that had been posted when I saw this thread.


Wow, I missed that news. I particularly like Tori Amos' interpretations.

 

[CT8]

What is so amazing about Leon is not the big things he has done is all the other things. Back to the Island

 

[aquariuscsm]

Here's some more Leon Russell and Marc Benno magic from 1967 and 1966: