You’re on stage in front of thousands of people. You’re up there with Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Jesse Ed Davis, and Klaus Voormann, to name a few. Bob Dylan’s taken stage, and, even though you shine behind the piano, you take bass. On the other side are two Beatles: George Harrison on guitar, Ringo Starr on tambourine. When Dylan hits those familiar choruses of “Just Like A Woman,” you and Harrison lean in for the backup vocals; and you must be thinking, “Yeah, I’m pretty bad ass right now.”
This is just one memory, from George Harrison’s 1971 Concert For Bangladesh, that the legendary Leon Russell might choose to share if he did interviews.
Russell’s stature as a solo artist was just beginning to take off at this point in his career, but the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has played with more stars than are twinkling in the night sky. A naturally prolific artist, as early as the mid-to-late ’50s he and his band The Starlighters (which included J.J. Cale) were busy creating a style of music known as the Tulsa Sound. Leaving Oklahoma behind for Los Angeles, throughout the mid-to-late ‘60s he’d become a renowned (multi-instrumentalist) session musician, songwriter, and producer capable of transcending numerous genres.
His 1960s forays include collaborations with artists like The Byrds, Glen Campbell, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Delaney and Bonnie, Herb Alpert, and The Rolling Stones. The standard psychedelic trip in ’68, with his band The Asylum Choir, was followed by success with Joe Cocker in ’69; when he produced, arranged, and penned a standout track for the Joe Cocker! album, and then he organized and performed in the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour.
By 1970, Russell had established himself as a reputable and successful solo act. From his eponymous debut, the track “A Song for You” went on to be covered by more than 40 different artists, including Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, and Christina Aguilera.
He never ceased to collaborate with the greats, and continued to play and record with some of the most iconic names in rock n’ roll, gospel, and country music history. His roster boasts Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Freddie King, Gram Parsons, Doris Day, Elton John, B.B. King, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, The Band, Ray Charles, The Ventures, Dave Mason, and many more.
In the early ‘70s, one of Russell’s tours was reported to have grossed almost $3 million. In his early 70s, Russell continues to perform and will be stopping in Hermosa Beach during an extensive U.S. tour.
Leon Russell performs this Sunday, Oct. 21 at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach. Opening support provided by special guest Aragorn Wiederhold. Tickets $35, show at 7 p.m.
