Leon Russell
USA, 1958–2016
Oklahoma session pianist who became a performer in his own right, combining gospel, country and rock with a barrelhouse piano style that Elton John cited as a model.
MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Leon Russell and 1 artist Leon Russell influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Leon Russell?
- Ray Charles — Ray Charles's gospel-soul piano was Russell's north star — Russell performed and arranged on Ray Charles sessions, and fused that gospel feel into his own style.
- Jerry Lee Lewis — The teenage Russell toured for two months backing Jerry Lee Lewis — the pumping rock'n'roll piano absorbed straight from the source.
Which artists did Leon Russell influence?
- Elton John — Leon Russell was Elton and Bernie Taupin's 'musical god' when they first hit America in 1970 — the country-gospel-rock synthesis behind Elton's American sound; they reunited on The Union (2010).