Epic birthday today

[theonedru]

April 2nd 2012 marks the 70th birthday of one of the most accomplished and versatile musician in the history of rock 'n roll., the immortal Leon Russell

For those unfamiliar he has collaborated with Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Edgar Winter, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, J.J. Cale, David Gates, Bruce Hornsby, Hal Blaine, Tommy Tedesco, Bobby "Boris" Pickett, B.B. King, Freddie King, Bill Wyman, Steve Cropper, Carl Radle, Chuck Blackwell, Don Preston, Jesse Ed Davis, Rita Coolidge, Gram Parsons, Barbra Streisand, Ike & Tina Turner, Ricky Nelson, Herb Alpert, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Ann-Margret, Dean Martin, Marvin Gaye, Dave Mason, Steve Winwood, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and groups such as Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, The Monkees, The Astronauts, The Accents, The Fencemen, The Ventures, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Jan & Dean, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Rolling Stones, The Ronettes, The Crystals, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Everly Brothers, The Righteous Brothers,The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Tractors and on and on and on…

He played on every Beach boys album as well as every Phil Spector album. Its just mind blowing the impact this man had on music. He organized the whole Mad dogs & Englishmen tour for Joe Cocker, he wrote such songs as "A song for you" and the carpenters hit "Superstar". George Benson won the Record of the Year Grammy in 1976 for his cover of Leon's song, "This Masquerade", it was the first song in music history to hit #1 on the jazz, pop and R&b charts. He has held various positions in the music industry such as a session musician, arranger, producer, singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, record company owner, bandleader, and touring musician.

Here's to over 50 years of music excellency and the many to come.

From his long overdue 2011 hall of fame induction.

[debtriddin]

He's influence so many great artist. A true legend in his own time.

Happy belated Birthday

[mrveggieman]

I never heard of the guy but happy birthday to him just the same.

[theonedru]

I never heard of the guy but happy birthday to him just the same.

thats the thing about artists like Leon, huge influence to the point where the music industry would just suck without their influence but they love it so much they themselves don't really care about the fame or fortune and those are the artists most deserving of it. Off the top of my head I can think Leon Russell, Zucchero Fornaciari, Solomon Burke and Leonard Cohen.