Leon Russell was a Badass!

First heard Leon on Concert for Bangladesh when I was a kid and a fan since then. Remember listening to Leon and the Shelter People in elementary school. Finally saw Leon at Bb King’s after the record with Elton. He came out to tour bus after show. Real friendly to crowd. One of a kind. A real gem.

i love this ole boy Otis genine cool cat

Thank you Otis and Bill for getting out theses wonderful Leon Russell stories! Leon was a vital artery in the 1960s and 1970s music scene, both live and studio. I got to see him late in his life play with Gregg Allman. Leon always had a magical feel about his playing, singing and songwriting. Man, something special was in that red Tulsa dirt that produced Jessie Ed Davis, JJ Cale and Leon Russell!

I slept on Leon for far too long. That video of the Shelter People doing Jumpin Jack Flash in their own studio changed that really quickly. Still the best version of it I’ve heard

Saw Leon in the early nineties in New York. My wife couldn’t believe how many songs that she knew, after telling me she didn’t know who he was . Lol

I saw Leon with Edgar Winter in a small place in Atlantic city NC. In 85. It was Great.

Saw Leon several times in the late 70s when he was playing in Willie band. The best show was 1979 Willie's 4th of July picnic. Keep up the great videos Otis. Thanks

Saw Leon around 77/78 at Hara Arena in Dayton Ohio. He was Huge at this point. I always loved Carney. Plus what followed.

Otis, you are such a good interviewer. You let people talk

I love, love, love this!!! Thank you for giving us a glimpse into life with Leon. ❤

What a great interview, and such vivid memories, so full of emotion. Thanks for this

Bill Kenner is such a friendly, interesting dude. Thanks for the post, Otis.

Crazy hearing Sam Bush was looking for a mandolin player 😂

My Dad was a supervisor for the phone company Pacific Bell in California. He was called out to Leon Russell's home to facilitate a PBX circuit board like operators had in the phone company. Nobody had these in their house at the time. My Pop was a former Marine Korean war veteran. At dinner he asked my brother and I if we knew who Mr. Russell was. Of course we did. This was during the time of the hippies. He couldn't get over Leon's looks but said he was terribly nice and quite intelligent. Coming from my Dad, that was high praise.

I could listen to him for HOURS. What a fabulous voice 😊

Thank you Bill & Otis

I never got to see Leon but I couldn't get enough of Will O' The Wisp back in the day. I enjoyed this very much, TY Otis.

This was great!!!! I just finished the Leon book. What a book!!!

Summer of 73' Leon and the Shelter People at the Chicago Stadium. We all freaked when Leon jumped atop his piano, someone threw him a guitar and he wailed on it while dancing atop that piano...funny thing a guy at the show gave me a number to call a guy who had info on an after concert party Leon was holding--I called, but since he didnt know me, but knew the other guy he wouldnt tell me where it was. Oh well. We had a great time at the show and afterwards all on our own.

Somebody please get with Bill and put together the times and places and stories, and put out the book!

Saw Leon at the Coliseum In Memphis in 1978, on a double bill with Willie Nelson. Leon was great, then when Willie started his set, he said that his sister Bobbie wasn’t feeling well that night, so Leon would also play with Willie‘s band. It was a fantastic show.

My Leon Russel experience was in 2005 playing with Paul Nelson, Willie's daughter at his 4th of July Picnic. Two totally mind boggling things were standing up there with Wiliie's Baldwin amp and then seeing Leon Russel's road case for his keyboard at the side of the stage. Leon was the set after us. To my total surprise Willie came out and joined us onstage to play a song. Trading a solo with Willie Nelson is barely a memory I can recollect because it was so unreal. I know it happened and there are photos and a recording from Sirius XM (just XM at the time) but I still wonder how it all worked out. What a day!

I saw him in Houston. I think the place was called the summit. Early 70 I guess. One of the best shows ever.

Had the pleasure of seeing Leon Russell open up for The Who in 1969 when he was promoting his first solo album and of course it was great and then a couple years later I saw him play on the same bill at the Anaheim convention center with Elton John and the great blues guitarist Freddy Kingand then at the end of the concert, they all jammed together on a couple songs, which was definitely one of my favorite concerts

Saw Leon at the Masonic Temple in Detroit along with (i think) The Seagle Schwall Band. Must have been late 1970's or early 1980's. It was a great show. Thanks for another interesting interview.

Ha! My wife and I lived on Ted Walker’s Full Moon Farm and hearing it mentioned on here is a hoot. Otis, Ted would make a great interview. His parties were legendary!

Leon Russell
Stranger in a strange land
The real deal never care about famous guy

He looks like Dick Murdoch.

My old Tulsa friend. ❤

Leon wasn't just badass; he was larger than life. Musician, singer, songwriter, sideman, bandleader, producer, arranger, electrifying live performer: Leon could do it all. I never had a chance to see Leon live, but my late friend Richie used to tell the story about how in the early 1970s, he went into a Leon Russell concert as a clean-cut Catholic school boy, got his mind blown, and emerged completely changed, transforming within a short few months into a long-haired hippie freak. And that is what rock and roll will do to you, boys and girls 😂. Miss you, Richie, and miss you, Leon. 💙

Thanks Bill & Otis. Keeping the history alive !!!

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That is so funny to hear him say "I felt like I was levitating off the bandstage" I've often had that feeling and described it that way being fortunate enough to sing and play with some of the greats. That brought a big smile to my face. This guy is one of the best you've had on, you can tell hes just giving us the tip of the iceberg of his experiences.

By the way SONG FOR YOU has to be a top ten all time song ever written.

Leon played keyboards and arranged "This Diamond Ring" which was a huge radio hit for Gary Lewis & the Playboys in 1966. It was co-written by
Al Kooper.

Great interview Otis . Must listen to more Leon Russel. Best wishes

❤

" a song for you " .

I saw Leon maybe 20 times. Saw him in Vail Colorado with the New Grass revival in 78 and with Mary in Texas and Willie too. Leon loved to play Detroit and one of there very best shows was one he did at Harpo's where his guitar player and band just kicked ass. Saw him with his kids, saw him solo, saw him when he was down. What folk might not understand who didn't see Leon is he had a feeling when he played and nobody could get that time and space thing better. If you haven't and I recommend, his record with Elton John is a must. Elton single handedly got him to the rock hall of fame where he so belonged and for that we should all be eternally grateful. One of the true giants.

You guys came through Colorado around '80 when I got a call that Leon was having tech problems, needed some keys and I lended y'all my Rhodes .for a couple shows in Vail ... if memory serves ...

I love watching your interviews Otis. Please keep doing them. ❤ Especially people talking about Leon.

Saw Leon Russell playing with Joe cocker at the Milwaukee pop festival

❤wow the DAC too

Leon at the Armadillo about 4 or 5 times. Just magical as was a lot of music in those days in the 70s..

This man is soo real and Leon goes soo deep into the beginning of RnR !!! Jus awesome ❤

Great Story!!

Do we have any Leon fans out there? Did you ever see him live or get to meet him?