Leon Russell will not be down for breakfast

[silverfox103]

Musician and songwriter Leon Russell has died at the age of 74. He performed his gospel-influenced southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music for over five decades, was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2011. I remember him dressed in white, with the white flowing hair and beard. The song that I remember is "Tight Rope".

Tom

 

[davismanLV]

Tom, I just heard this a few minutes ago. So sad. Leon was with the Wrecking Crew for so many years and played on SO MANY of the big hits of the 60's and 70's. What a talented man. A very sad day for music..... RIP, Leon. :sorrow:

 

[silverfox103]

Did not realize he was with the Wrecking Crew, I knew he was a session player. He sure could play the piano.

Tom

 

[richardp69]

Loved his music. He did a country song CD under another name that is maybe one of the best I've ever heard. I'll have to dig that out today. Thanks for all the great tunes Leon Russell!!!

 

[gilded]

So sorry to hear the news. Great career. Couple of bad patches. He had a good run at the end, though. Adios.

 

[davismanLV]

This is one of my favorite videos about Leon Russell. LANGUAGE ALERT: Cher drops the F-bomb!!!

 

[krysh]

love his last album. :sad:

 

[twocorgis]

Unlike Leonard Cohen, at least I got to see Leon a few times, most recently with Electric Hot Tuna last year, and all the septuagenarians put on a fantastic show. RIP to another legend. This one will always be my favorite.

 

[killdeer43]

I was just about to add that one to the mix, Sandy. :encouragement:

Joe

 

[JimmyD]

Wonderful player, and very gifted songwriter. Saw him a few years ago with a young and very tight band, who paid attention to the master at work. Did a session with Don Preston of the Shelter people 20 years past, and he spoke highly of his boss. Quite a talent.

 

[silverfox103]

I think I first remember him from his days with Willie and Waylon and the Outlaws.

Tom

 

[walrus]

Yes, "Tightrope", "Song For You", "Delta Lady", etc. - part of my '70's radio listening growing up. And his great performance in the "Concert For Bangla Desh"!

2016 is really taking it's toll on musicians...

walrus

 

[jp]

Leon definitely made huge contributions to rock and roll -- so incredible. And to top it off, he was actually a Guild player too when he was a gigging teenager. He looks to be sporting either an early 60s T-100 or Starfire I. I can't tell if the pickup is a Franz, Dynasonic, or white-topped Dearmond.

Check out this still from a video I watched about his induction into the R&R Hall of Fame. Elton John has some great things to say about him.

 

[Cougar]

As a keyboardist, I'm feeling a disturbance in the force tonight.

 

[dougdnh]

Saw him in concert about a year ago - he really kicked butt. Did some killer 50's stuff. He was too weak to walk off stage at the end and come back for an encore, so he just stayed at the piano and continued rocking out. Here's an early clip 1964:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwccfu3EDSI

 

[davismanLV]

It's truly amazing when you see an artist that can really kick butt on stage and play and sing.... and yet when the lights go down and they have to be carried off stage it's a shock to realize that they're giving you the BEST of what they have left. I remember the lights coming up on the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary concert and I was with my bro and sis in law right up front and at intermission, even though Brian Wilson was playing and singing like a champ, when the lights went down they had four guys who RUSHED out to grab him and carry him off the stage. All the other guys walked off like regular people... but Brian just sat there and waited for them to get him. Then when intermission was over.... all the lights went WAY down and they carried him out and sat him at his white piano. I was just a little surprised and amazed. It's in those instances that you realize you're getting the best of what they have left to give. Bless their hearts, you know? We have so much of them to carry around with us for the rest of our time here.....

 

[rampside]

Instant sadness when I saw the news. Always a favorite of mine.

 

[silverfox103]

I also saw Brian Wilson this summer, actually twice, once in June and once in September. When he came out I was stunned. He had two big stage guys help him out. He shuffled his feet like a little old man. He is not 19 years old, like we remember him, but 74 and fragile. But once he was behind the piano he was great.

Tom

 

[silverfox103]

Harry clean out your PM's!

Tom