Leon Russell

Leon Russell

Birth : 1942-04-02, Lawton, Oklahoma, USA

Death : 2016-11-13

History

Leon Russell, born Claude Russell Bridges, was an American musician and songwriter who was involved with numerous bestselling pop music records during his 60-year career. His genres included pop, country, rock, folk, gospel, bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk rock, blues rock, surf, standards, and Tulsa Sound.

Profile

Leon Russell

Movies

Learning to Live Together: The Return of Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Self
A documentary telling the story of Joe Cocker's historic "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" tour through the lens of the Tedeschi Trucks Band's reunion of the Mad Dogs.
Out in the Woods
Self
Home video footage shot by Maureen Gosling during the filming of Les Blank's feature "A Poem is a Naked Person".
The Union
Himself
In November 2009, filmmaker Cameron Crowe began filming a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the album The Union, a collaboration between musicians Elton John and Leon Russell, who hadn't spoken to one another in 38 years prior to beginning work on the album. In addition, the documentary offers a rare glimpse into the process John goes through to create and compose his music. Featured in the film are musicians Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Booker T. Jones, steel guitarist Robert Randolph, Don Was and a 10-piece gospel choir who all contribute to the album, which is produced by award-winning producer T-Bone Burnett. Musician Stevie Nicks and John's long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin also appear.
The Making of Elton John: Madman Across the Water
Himself
Documentary exploring Elton John's childhood, apprenticeship in the British music business, sudden stardom in the US at the dawn of the 70s and his musical heyday. Plus the backstory to the album reuniting him with Leon Russell, his American mentor. Features extensive exclusive interviews with Elton, plus colleagues and collaborators including Bernie Taupin, Leon Russell and others.
George Harrison & Friends - The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited
Self
Short documentary focused on the background story of the show, including interviews with cast and crew.
J.J. Cale - In Session at the Paradise Studios
Reluctant rock hero J.J. Cale takes the spotlight for this 80-minute session, recorded in Los Angeles in 1979 but virtually unseen until 2001. The reclusive, Oklahoma-born Cale is probably best known for writing songs made famous by others ("After Midnight" and "Cocaine" by Eric Clapton, "Call Me the Breeze" by Lynyrd Skynyrd). Those are among the some two dozen tunes heard here (five of which, including "Breeze," are audio-only bonus tracks), as is Cale's own minor hit, "Crazy Mama." The latter is a good example of the witty, laconic groove that Cale, a superb guitar player and laid-back vocalist, brings to much of his music, an appealing style that's been an obvious influence on Mark Knopfler and others.
Leon Russell:  A Song For You
Executive Producer
"A Song for You" is a stunning collection of 25 hits, including some of Leon's all-time greatest tracks.
Leon Russell:  A Song For You
Self
"A Song for You" is a stunning collection of 25 hits, including some of Leon's all-time greatest tracks.
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Celebration
It's Willie Nelson celebrating the 4th of July
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Radio Preacher
A drug dealer's car breaks down in a small U.S. town. In turn, the town's people become victim to his unique brand of physical and mental torture.
A Star Is Born
Songs
Drunken, has-been rock star John Norman Howard falls in love with unknown singer, Esther Hoffman, after seeing her perform at a club. He lets her sing a few songs at one of his shows and she becomes the talk of the music industry. Esther's star begins to rise, while John's continues to fall. She tries desperately to get John to sober up and focus on his music, but it may be too late to save him.
A Poem Is a Naked Person
Producer
Les Blank's first feature-length documentary captures music and other events at Leon Russell's Oklahoma recording studio during a three-year period (1972-1974).
A Poem Is a Naked Person
Self
Les Blank's first feature-length documentary captures music and other events at Leon Russell's Oklahoma recording studio during a three-year period (1972-1974).
The Concert for Bangladesh
A film about the first benefit rock concert when major musicians performed to raise relief funds for the poor of Bangladesh. The Concert for Bangladesh was a pair of benefit concerts organised by former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar. The shows were held at 2:30 and 8:00 pm on Sunday, 1 August 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, to raise international awareness of, and fund relief for refugees from East Pakistan, following the Bangladesh Liberation War-related genocide.
Joe Cocker - Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Himself
"Joe Cocker - the Rotating Rocker - and his 42 member communal touring company Mad Dogs & Englishmen with the Master of Space and Time Leon Russell - see them perform in the pleasure palaces of America - it's a moving picture" says the classic film poster. See this spectacular rock 'n' roll tour documentary and get a dramatic visual record that captures the spirit of the hippie era with mind-blowing performances, crazy backstage footage, and spaced-out interviews. Supporting cast includes Claudia Lennear, Rita Coolidge, Sherman Jones reciting "Face on the Barroom Floor," and Canina the dog.
Leon Russell: The Homewood Session
Originally aired on PBS in 1971. Actually KCET at the Vine Street Theatre on Hollywood and Vine. A theatre with a little studio in the back part of the building. Not there anymore, it was really billed as the Vine Street Theatre presents Homewood, but the on-air guy nicknames it Session right at the start of the studio intro. They actually recorded 6 hours but broadcast only one hour. Leon Russell and friends with Sweet Emily, Claudia Lennar, Kathi McDonald, Chuck Blackwell, John Gallie, Don Preseton, Joey Cooper, Carl Radle, Don Nix, Jim Horn, Furry Lewis. Set list Leon's Introduction Opening 2 Will The Circle Be Unbroken Caravan (Jim Horn) It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry Delta Lady A Song For You Furry's Introduction Furry's Blues 1 Furry's Blues 2 Furry's Blues 3 with Leon Amos Burke Honky Tonk Women Sweet Emily Prince Of Peace Girl Of The North Country Big Boss Man Crystal Closet Queen Of Thee I Sign Medley Ending
The T.A.M.I. Show
Self - Pianist in House Band (uncredited)
Hailed by one music reviewer as "the grooviest, wildest, slickest hit ever to pound the screen," "The T.A.M.I. Show" is an unrelenting rock spectacular starring some of the greatest pop performers of the 60s. These top recording idols - representing the musical moods of London, Liverpool, Hollywood and Detroit - packed the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium with 2,600 screaming fans and virtually brought down the house. This is the cinematic record of that electrifying event.
Dolly Parton & Friends: Love Always Live
Elton John & Leon Russell: BBC Electric Proms 2010
Elton John in concert at the Roundhouse with his friend and mentor Leon Russell and special guests Plan B and Rumer. The concert celebrates Elton and Leon's classic hits and they also perform from their new collaboration album, The Union.