Blue, Teddy Jack, Tina Rose, Sugaree, Honey and Coco

Record company promo photo of Leon Russell
from 1980, when he had short hair.

I know I should title my posts with words more likely to be searched. It's the business I'm in. But I couldn't resist this post's title. Those are the names of Leon Russell's children.

The man could write.

Leon, a piano player, died a week ago last Sunday. His resumé includes a dazzling list of accomplishments, yet he never really did become a household name. He played piano on the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and on Sinatra records; he put together and led the band Mad Dogs and Englishmen for Joe Cocker; his album Carney reached #2 on the album charts; he was at George Harrison's "Concert for Bangladesh" in New York City, where he shook up the proceedings with a rollicking medley of the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and the Coasters' doo-wop classic "Young Blood," complete with revival-tent-style vocal interludes; he wrote jazz guitarist George Benson's biggest hit; and he collaborated with Elton John and also Willie Nelson. He started his own record label, Shelter Records, which released Bob Marley's first song outside of Jamaica. Leon both played for an immense number of other artists and bands and also wrote many songs that were hits for himself and many others. But he didn't relish the spotlight, and such fame as he achieved slipped quietly away. Gradually, Leon settled back into semi-obscurity—maybe better called "semi-fame"—remembered mainly by old hippies and (no question) other musicians.

Not apocryphal: he actually did get his start playing piano in honky-tonks. The first guy to hire him was Jerry Lee Lewis. He wrote a song for Ray Charles that won a Grammy. He played on a Monkees album; he played on an Aretha Franklin album. He wrote a hit for Karen Carpenter. Eric Clapton, three Rolling Stones and two Beatles were guest performers on his first album. He played on "Strangers in the Night" and also "Monster Mash." Read one of the longer obituaries; it was quite an astonishing career, never quite at the center but never far from the center of a tumultuous era in American and international music.

I was trying to remember where I'd heard about Leon recently, and then I remembered it was because of one of the last musicians Leon collaborated with, Elton John—who has always been famous and has never been forgotten. Elton was one of those other musicians who never forgot Leon. He aided and abetted Leon getting inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a few years back. It was a nice thing Elton did for Leon—returned a long-ago favor and helped him get a little late-in-life appreciation. Leon was grateful.

R.I.P., Leon, and respects to Blue, Teddy Jack, Tina Rose, Sugaree, Honey, and Coco, and all of Leon Russell's family and friends.

Switch gears
Segue to Elton. Soon after Elton John got sober, for some reason he got lit up by a passion for photography. Since then, he's gone from knowing virtually nothing about photography to being one of the world's major collectors. Now there's to be a major show drawn from that collection at the Tate Modern in London.

Most of us don't live in London (I'm jealous if you do), but you can take a virtual tour of Elton's photography collection via YouTube:

I had a brief flirtation with Elton John's music when I was young due to a marvelous song called "Bennie and the Jets" that my little brother and I both liked (I still do). Then I sorta didn't like him for a long time because he was kinda poppy and I got turned off by his Liberace-style stage persona (never quite grokked the whole thing with all the wacky eyeglasses). But that was a very nice thing he did for Leon. And then—well, anybody who collects photography and actually hangs it so he can live with it? Our kinda guy.

I've come around. Elton's a good guy.

The show is called "The Radical Eye: Modernist Photography from the Sir Elton John Collection." See it if you can.

Mike
(Thanks to several readers)

Original contents copyright 2016 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Doug Thacker: "I remember seeing an interview with Leon Russell where he talked about how he got his start, his first break. As a young man he was living somewhere in the deep south and working at a convenience store, when one day none other than Richard Penniman—AKA Little Richard—came into the store. I don't remember exactly what happened next, or if indeed he ever said—and a cursory search doesn't turn up the story—but I do remember Leon saying that it was Little Richard who told him how talented he was, and who encouraged him to pursue a career in music. In later years, of course, Leon penned and performed a musical tribute to Little Richard called 'Crystal Closet Queen.'

"I was living in Ohio during the height of Leon's popularity. He was huge, with an almost fanatical following. Many of these followers, at least in Ohio, were self-styled rednecks, proud of their southern roots when they had them, and pretending to have them when they didn't. In their eyes Leon Russell could do no wrong.

"But then, at the apex of his popularity, Leon Russell did something no one expected. He married Mary McCreary, a black woman, and released Wedding Album, featuring the two of them together on the cover. 'I always said if I ever met someone who was a better musician than me, I'd marry her, and that's what I did.'

"I recall hearing many of his suddenly former fans react with great hostility to this. Among these fans Leon Russell went from redneck golden boy to persona non grata, in one fell swoop. His new album got little airplay.

"In the year following Wedding Album, Leon released 'Leon and Mary Russell Make Love to the Music,' with an equally defiant album cover. By this time his career was really on a downer and it never recovered. He released a number of albums after this, but none of them did well and Leon Russell faded into obscurity—until rescued from it late in life by Elton John.

"In the America of the 1970s, such a public interracial union as Leon and Mary had was a brave and defiant thing, and a powerful political statement. There's no doubt he knew what it would mean for his career and he didn't care, he did it anyway. I've always admired Leon Russell for this, and don't think he gets enough credit for it. His convictions and defiance were as strong as his music."

Mike replies: I had kinda forgotten about that, although I knew Mary was black. Maybe we should all go see that new movie, "Loving," as a way to honor Leon's memory.

PhotoDes: "I went to high school with Leon Russell (Russell Bridges) along with David Gates (Bread) in Tulsa in the late '50s. They played together for student functions and dances on many occasions and recorded a couple of 45s, I think locally, on small labels—Perspective and Robbins. The Perspective hit was 'Pretty Baby' and David was the vocalist, though at the time he used the name Ronnie Franklin (with the Vibes). The other was 'Lovin' at Night' with David Gates and the Accents. Russell played piano for both. We all bought their records and cheered them on, but I was surprised when they both headed to the West Coast after graduation and frankly didn't expect to hear a lot from either of them. I think it was in the '70s when I was told that Leon Russell, who I never recognized on the album I had (wearing what you call 'short hair,' was Russell Bridges. At first I thought 'hometown boy made good,' but I discovered several of his songs on other singers' albums I owned and realized that would be short-changing him. He was a genuine and unique talent."

Mike replies: What a great comment! Thanks for letting us hear from you.

Comments

[Dave Van de Mark]

Burn Down The Mission was my Elton John song. Didn't care for many others.

[James Weekes]

You should also find the piece on CBS Sunday Morning, from two weeks ago. He gives a tour of his collection in his Atlanta apartment. He really does love photography. Not sure that it needs the ornate gilded frames he fancies.

[Stan B.]

Leon's soulful Stranger in a Strange Land is one of my favorite songs ever, and (I must confess) his wife Claudia Lanier also left an indelible impression on my young self when I first saw her singing backup for the Stones in a bikini top and hip huggers.

[c.d.embrey]

Old rednecks and rockers remember him too.

Here's some comments from other studio musicians. If you don't want to hear Cher say the eff-word, don't listen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d9kwTEAK9o

Here's Leon Russell doing Honky Tonk Woman. Mary McCreary, the back-up singer, in the halter-top was his wife https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRlkIunIU-c

[John Wilson]

Very nice on Leon, my brother saw Jerry Lee Lewis last year Scotland, he still rolling.

[Willie]

Hi Mike,
Greetings from Australia.
I agree with the comments re Elton. Loved his early music, and love his devotion to collecting fine photography.

BTW, is Leon's kid called Honey and Coco, or is there two kids - Honey AND Coco.

Not sure which it is. If the latter, then surely this is prime example of the need for the Oxford Comma.

:-)

[BJ]

Other musical greats who have died qute recently: Leonard Cohen, Mose Allison.

[Joe Holmes]

I always loved Russell.

Check out this photo of him in the house band of the TV pop show Shindig, before his trademark beard. You can tell it’s him by those eyes!

http://www.gettyimages.com/event/s-shindig-file-photos-104827540?#leon-russell-at-the-piano-and-the-shindig-band-nov-12-1964-picture-id105698910

And here’s that trademark voice coming out of that clean-shaven face — so weird!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwccfu3EDSI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Tfm3syUOM

[Joe Holmes]

Oh, and you neglected to mention his odd, psychedelic/cajun/blues early albums with Marc Benno as The Asylum Choir. Strange and wonderful. I've still got the original album with the controversial toilet paper cover.

[Bruce Appelbaum]

I saw Elton back in 1971 or so at the Filllmore East in NYC (around the corner from my college). Late show Friday night, three acts with light show $3.50 in the nosebleed section. Perfect price for the poor college student with a bit left over to get in the mood.

Elton was the headliner. Pre outré clothes and glasses. Just Elton, the piano and his band. He seemed to play forever. Am not sure when he came on stage after the other two acts, but the sun was coming in when we left the venue.

Hopefully the photos will come to the States at some point.

Happy Thanksgiving to Mike and all!

[Tim McGowan]

Leon Russell was a member of the Wrecking Crew. The Wrecking Crew were studio musicians who played & made a lot of Pop Music in the 60's.
There is a great documentary of them that is available from Netflix. The groups didn't make the music, these men & women did. Leon is interviewed in the film. Highly informative.

[Steve Rosenblum]

I was very sad to hear of the death of Leon Russell, a musician I have listened to and admired since I was a teenager in the 60's. He was just so talented, and what a voice! I recommend listening to the song "Hummingbird", or even his version of "Delta Lady" both of which he wrote. He was also a member of the "Wrecking Crew" which was the studio band on dozens, perhaps hundreds, of hit records by many artists from the 60's that would surprise you. Glen Campbell also played with them. They played the actual instruments on the hits by The Byrds, The Beach Boys (including, I believe, "Good Vibrations"), and many, many others. I highly recommend the documentary about them that came out a year or so ago, it's really great.

I have to say that I surely wish I was going to London. I would absolutely love to see the exhibition of Elton John's collection. What a great way to spend some of those rock and roll bucks! Can you imagine what the insurance policy must cost to cover the collection in his house?

[Stephen]

I probably first heard Leon Russell back when he was runnng Joe Cocker's band. Poor Joe got totally blown off the stage by Leon. Ever since, I've been a fan (No, not because he blew Joe off the stage). And, also ever since then, I've been regularly amazed to get the reply, "Who?" when I ask someone if they like Leon Russell.

If you haven't seen it, have a look at "The Wrecking Crew". Amazing, mostly totally unknown (except to other musicians) studio musicians.

[Ken White]

This is my second comment here for the year.

Leon Russell was a musical treasure for many of us of a certain age and inclination. I missed seeing him in Luckenbach a few months ago. I spend many weekends there shooting Texas musicians and characters but for some reason that one slipped by unnoticed. My loss.

[Paul De Zan]

Mose Allison too. I need a break from 2016.

[Jim A]

Speaking of music, have you had a chance to check out the PBS series Soundbreaking? You can find all the previously aired episodes on the PBS site. I've just finished episode three and love the series so far.

Episode 1
http://www.pbs.org/video/2365882190/

[Stan B.]

My bad- c.d.embrey is correct. Mary McCreary was his wife!

[Chuck Albertson]

I was sure sorry to see Leon go. I saw him with ze Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, counting off 1,2,3,4 for each song in that OK twang. He seemed ageless, recording and touring until the end.

[Bear.]

RIP Leon Russell, a musician's musician.

[Yoram Nevo]

There is a lot of photography happening in the clip for Elton John song "Nikita"

[Steve Higgins]

"Other musical greats who have died qute recently: Leonard Cohen, Mose Allison.

Posted by: BJ"

It occurred to me recently that I see a lot more names in the obituaries that I recognise because I, and I suspect many of the posters here, have reached an age where those we admired (musicians etc), being a generation ahead, are now getting a lot closer to the top of the Grim Reaper's to-do list than is comfortable. :(

[Speed]

Beware of Darkness written by George Harrison is my favorite Leon Russell recording. Clearly he was a big part of the pop-music ecosystem for many years.

It's easy to dismiss or ignore Elton John's musical and commercial accomplishments. One characteristic of long-lived musicians is their ability to evolve and continue to produce interesting high quality music. The old stuff holds up and the new is varied, fresh and often plays to a new and younger audience.

[Bob Rosinsky]

Bennie and the Jets played in the background during my first slow dance and long kiss with my first girlfriend. It was a sweet moment.

[Stan B.]

Did not realize how big a hit Leon took for his interracial marriage (probably no picnic for Mary either), had hoped things were a bit more "progressive" in the music scene- but that's what I get for being optimistic.

Loving is well worth seeing; it is very low key and very much not your heroic, Hollywood production. A simple love story (made complicated) of two very reserved people who dared to love each other in a very powerful way.

[Jim Meeks]

I work at the Oklahoma History Center and from what I have been told, we have been fortunate enough to be gifted his archive along with some other collections regarding his life and music. A satellite museum in Tulsa, called OK Pop will open in a few years and will feature Leon prominently.

[Doug Thacker]

A Song for You

[Doug Thacker]

Here's something interesting. Leon Russell and Glen Campbell, 1983

[Doug Thacker]

Jeez, I really didn't want to post a third link, but I just found this.

Homewood Session 1970-12-05

Besides being the best Leon concert I've ever heard, it's also a fascinating artifact of a brief period of time when some local television became more open to new ideas and stopped pandering to its audience (or sponsors, more like).

[Gary Alessi]

Hi....saw Leon several times....snuck in my mamyia sekor 1000 dtl....and a vivitar 135 lens....once you were on the concert hall no one would take your camera away...just no flash......ectachrome ...pushed to 1600...half the photos were of leon...half were of claudia...WOW...what a show. .didn't know I had really been in a gospel revival show until years later.