Leon Russell Joins Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Elton John congratulates Leon Russell at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
Acclaimed Nashville musician Leon Russell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Monday night (3/14), part of a class that includes fellow luminaries Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Dr. John and Darlene Love.
Russell, who has contributed keys to albums by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, the Byrds, Bob Dylan, and projects from producer Phil Spector, joined the Hall under the “sideman” category.
During the star-studded event at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, Russell performed his “A Song For You,” accompanied by John Mayer on guitar.
Leon Russell. Click to read his bio.
From the podium, Russell thanked collaborator Elton John, bringing tears to the eyes of the British songman. The two paired for the acclaimed album, The Union. Russell explained that John “found me in a ditch at the side of the highway of life and took me up to the high stages with big audiences, and treated me like a king.”
John described Russell as his idol, adding that when they first met in the 1970s, that Russell looked like “something from outer space.”
Also joining the Hall were record execs Art Rupe of Specialty Records, and Jac Holzman of Elektra Records.
The television event airs Sunday night, March 20 at 9 PM on Fuse TV.
Sarah Skates has been a writer and editor in the music business since 2004. She is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
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I loved his work with Gary Lewis and The Playboys. Check it out! Leon was his arranger and keyboard player. Gary would have a hit like “This Diamond Ring” and cut 9 current hit cover songs to fill out the album. Stereo on his label was Gary’s voice on the right and the music on the left. Just turn the balance knob and it was like the first karaoke. Songs like “Rubber Ball” would have funky piano breaks and Leon shouting out in his raspy voice, “Bouncy, bouncy, baby!” Those were the days!