Leon Russell has been called a rock and roll Renaissance man, and indeed there is little that this Oklahoma-bred singer-pianist hasn’t done. His quixotic half-century in music stretches from his teen years in Oklahoma in the late Fifties to his best-selling collaboration with Elton John from 2010, The Union. Between his solo work, contributions to high-profile albums by other artists, and screen exposure in the Bangla Desh and Mad Dogs & Englishmen documentaries, Russell became a veritable superstar in the Seventies.
Russell has been a prolific and celebrated songwriter, He composed “A Song for You,” one of the greatest love songs of the modern era. The list of artists who have covered “A Song for You” includes Ray Charles, Dusty Springfield, Whitney Houston, Willie Nelson, Christina Aguilera and Michael Buble. Several other songs of Russell’s have also been successful for others, including “This Masquerade” (which George Benson took into the Top Ten) and “Superstar” (cowritten with Bonnie Bramlett), a #2 hit for the Carpenters.
Russell’s career received a major push in 2010 when Elton John – who’s often cited him as an early influence - approached him about a collaboration. T-Bone Burnett produced the project, which included cameos from Neil Young and Brian Wilson. The resulting album, The Union, entered the Billboard chart at #3 – Russell’s highest showing since 1972’s Carney. Rolling Stone would rank it as the #3 album of 2010. Moreover, the single “If It Wasn’t for Bad,” written by Russell, earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. The Union also included “Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes,” a warm song of tribute by John for and about his fellow pianist, mentor and collaborator.