Okie, Hippie Extraordinaire and Redneck "Mag Dog" Leon Russell is Dead at 74 | Eastern North Carolina Now

Leon Russell, for my generation, may be one of those forgotten icons that will endure as time marches on. He always will be one of those that I call attention to in my broad memory.

    Leon Russell died today, November 13, 2016. He was 74, in failing health for years, yet he continued to play his music where ever he was welcome.

    Born Claude Russell Bridges in Lawton, Oklahoma, Leon Russell went from studio musician (i.e Beach Boys), to band member (i.e. Joe Cocker), to recording artist, producing 31 albums, as Leon Russell and Hank Wilson, exploring genres from rock 'n' roll, blues, country, and poignant ballads. As a rocker, Leon Russell, the pianist and vocalist /songwriter, played with John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Elton John and many others.

    As a recording artist, Leon was such a lion in his formative years making some really great music: "Masquerade", Tight Rope", "Ballad of Mad Dogs and Englishmen", "Lady Blue", "Song for You", "Delta Lady", a great cover of "Wild Horses", etc., etc.

    Leon Russell is one of the acts of my generation that I saw on multiple occasions, and every show was an experience; usually involving an extensive band, a white baby grand piano, and Leon clothed in a white suit, his pre-mature graying hair and beard flowing. These memorable shows gave me everything I wanted and expected, perpetuated my youthful experiences to a near the perpetual youth that I still harbor as an older gentleman, blessed with outstanding fortune of good health.



    Just tonight, upon hearing of the death of Leon, I whipped out my acoustic guitar, and learned one of my favored ballads, "Song for You" (a favorite of mine with my sweet bride). Now, as an older picking novice, I poignantly play the melody, and sadly sing Leon's now prophetic words:

I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for my life you're a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together we were alone
And I was singing this song for you.


    One more thing: My wife, about 15 years ago, went out to eat at a restaurant in North Hills area of Raleigh. It was one of those dark eateries, and as she was eating her meal with her sister, they noticed this elderly gentleman, with long white hair and a beard eating alone quietly in the corner, obscurely enjoying his meal.

    When my wife finished her meal, she walked overly to the elderly gentleman, and said: "Hello Leon, I don't want to bother you but I just wanted to let you know that I have really enjoyed your music over the years, and that Song for You is one of mine and my husbands favorite couple's songs, and has been for decades."

    He looked up with his Owl-like eyes, smiled, and in his Southern drawl said: "Thank-you Ma'am, that song meant a lot to me, and I'm happy it means something to you and your husband".

    My lovely wife smiled her sweet smile, thanked him again very graciously, exchanged parting pleasantries, did not ask for an autograph, and then walked quietly from the restaurant to tell me all about her close encounter with one our musical heroes when she returned.

    You see, Leon never faded from the Music business, he was playing a small gig just down the street in a large city that is one of the South's true boom towns - Raleigh, where there are many larger arenas, but not for Leon. Leon was in the twilight of his career, but he still connected with this lovely pre-middle-aged Raleigh girl, and that must have been very cool for the both of them.
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Comments

( November 15th, 2016 @ 8:24 am )
 
The way Leon sang, it was only a time before he blew out his voice.

He hind-of did, but never lost the sould that he kept around its edges holding it up.

I have been learning "Song for You", which is not that hard to play on the guitar -AM, E, C, Am/F, F, EM, DM & G, but try singing the song and keeping the soul in it, without hitting that high, screechy EM that Leon does. It's tough.

Leon was an Okie with an enigma, that he called life, and he lived it as such, everyday.
( November 15th, 2016 @ 8:06 am )
 
I was just thinking about our comments on the jam session. I rarely go to concerts anymore. My daughter and I usually catch one every year or so as a father and daughter date. I am leaving shortly with her for a Dolly Pardon concert in Huntsville, Alabama.
As great as the big acts are in concerts, my best memories are always the small venues where I saw some of the best acts prior to their auditorium filling performances.

The GSEMH Facebook page tells me that Leon Russell played at the Great Southeast Music hall. I may have seen him there. Here is a link to the article I wrote about a small 500+ seat venue that seemed like a small studio. I am sure somewhere there is a place where you could share a bucket of beer with 500 close friends, but I will let the younger crowd build their memories while I continue to enjoy mine of years gone by.

beaufortcountynow.com
( November 15th, 2016 @ 6:22 am )
 
Somewhere in a musical career most artist just start phoning it in. I suspect that is because the money, drugs and girls are good. Eventually they are there for the money. I have watched many musical artist sing their hit songs again as if was a medical exam. I do not think that Leon ever hit that gully, he stayed on the plateau. There is a separation between singers and singer-songwriters. Like parents, the songwriter always loves his kids. And yes, I can imagine being in the jam session watching lightning strike again.

Here is Leon in with John Mayer from The 2011 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductions. He was sixty nine years old.

beaufortcountynow.com
( November 14th, 2016 @ 6:12 pm )
 
Beautifully written my friend. Can't you just see you and me hanging out in the shadows, feeling a little special?
( November 14th, 2016 @ 2:22 pm )
 
Stan, it probably don't get no better than this. The perfect jam session, old coffee cups, cigarettes, a piano and microphone with a few friends sitting and standing around. I certainly helps to have a song to sing that makes everyone in the session feel like you are singing it just for them. A great talent at peace now.



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