The Musical Legacy of Leon Russell Quiz

Answer: James Burton

Leon was a piano player by training as well as a versatile musician who could play a variety of instruments. He studied guitar with legendary guitar player James Burton when he relocated to Los Angeles and began a career as a session player and sideman.
Scotty Moore was Elvis' first touring guitar player and played on many early Sun Records recordings. J.J. Cale was part of The Starlighters, a Tulsa band that Leon Russell played in. John Wilkinson played rhythm guitar in Elvis' TCB band.

Answer: This Diamond Ring

Leon Russell was the first producer to obtain credits on a 45 RPM record when he played piano and produced "This Diamond Ring". He also co-wrote "Everybody Loves a Clown" and "She's Just My Style". Both songs were US Top Forty singles for Gary Lewis and the Playboys.
The only member of the band to play on the session for "This Diamond Ring" was Gary Lewis. Members of the wrecking crew that played on "This Diamond Ring" included Hal Blaine on drums, Carol Kaye on bass and Ron Hicklin on backing vocals.
Leon played on several sessions by The Byrds. "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" was a sixties Byrd's hit. "Come and Get It" was a Badfinger hit in 1969. "Oh My My" was a 1973 single by Ringo Starr.

Answer: Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour

Leon Russell's "Delta Lady" was a single from Joe Cocker's 1969 US Number 11 album, "Joe Cocker!". Leon Russell produced the album as well as the ensuing Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour in support of Joe Cocker. Other musicians involved with the tour included Rita Coolidge as one of the backing vocalists, Carl Radle on bass, Jim Keltner on drums, Bobby Keys on saxophone and Don Preston on guitar. Leon played Hammond organ, piano and guitar on the tour. Summer 1969 North American Tour was Led Zeppelin's third North American concert tour. Hotlegs and Friends was a 1971 Moody Blues tour.

The Book of Taliesyn Tour featured Deep Purple.

Answer: Tight Rope

"Tight Rope" was a Number 11 single from Leon's 1972 "Carney" LP. Leon composed "This Masquerade" which was also included on the album and became the flip-side of "Tight Rope". Several artists went on to record "This Masquerade" including The Carpenters, George Benson and Shirley Bassey. George Benson won a Grammy for Record of the Year for his single of "This Masquerade".
Leon Russell wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on his "Carney" album. "Carney" reached Number Two on the US album charts.
"Back to the Island" was released in 1976 and reached Number 53. The Number 14 "Lady Blue" was a 1975 single. Leon's version of "If I Were a Carpenter" topped out at Number 73 in 1974.

Answer: Heartbreak Hotel

Willie and Leon's arrangement of "Heartbreak Hotel" topped the US Country charts in 1978. Leon and Willie recorded several standards for the double album including "Summertime", "Don't Fence Me In", "Tenderly", "Stormy Weather" and "Because Of You". For two years after the release of the "One for the Road" album Leon toured with New Grass Revival.
In 1984 Willie and Leon reunited for a duet single of "Wabash Cannonball" with Leon using the name Hank Wilson. The single topped out at Number 91 on the Country charts.
"Heartbreak Hotel" became Elvis' first US Billboard Number One hit when it was released in 1956. "Don't Be Cruel", "Love Me Tender" and "Old Shep" were other singles released by Elvis in 1956.

Answer: Concert For Bangladesh

George Harrison performed two concerts on August 1, 1971, to benefit the people of Bangladesh. Sitar player Ravi Shankar had brought the plight of the population of the country to George Harrison's attention earlier in 1971. Leon performed a rendition of a Coaster's hit titled "Youngblood" as well as covering The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash". When Harrison performed "Beware of Darkness" Russell sang one of the verses.
Other artists to work with Harrison on the concert included Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Bob Dylan and members of Badfinger. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were not part of the ensemble.
"Living in the Material World" was a 1973 Harrison project. "Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert" was organized by Harrison in 1986. George Harrison appeared on the "The Prince's Trust Concert" in 1987.

Answer: True

On March 14, 2011, Leon Russell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Elton John at the 26th annual induction ceremony. Among other artists inducted on the same day were Tom Waits, Alice Cooper, Dr. John, Neil Diamond and Darlene Love.
Russell performed two of his compositions, "Delta Lady" and a "A Song for You". "A Song for You" has been recorded by several artists including Ray Charles, The Carpenters, Helen Reddy and Aretha Franklin.

Answer: Sly and the Family Stone

Mary McCreary was a member of Sly and the Family Stone's background vocal group called Little Sister. The band was originally called Sly and the Stoners. Sly's sister Vaetta Stewart wanted to be a part of the band so she recruited her friends Mary McCreary and Elva Mouton from a Gospel group called The Heavenly Tones. The girls were still in their teens when Sly made them members of Little Sister, providing background vocals.
Russell and McCreary were married from 1975 to 1980. Leon and Mary collaborated on "The Wedding Album" (1976) as well as other projects Leon was involved with.

Answer: Elton John

Elton John cited Leon Russel as an early influence. In 2009 Elton contacted Leon Russell and invited him to collaborate on a recording project which ended up being "The Union". In April of 2011 Elton John and Leon Russell performed together on an episode of "Saturday Night Live". They subsequently embarked on a tour in support of the CD.
Leon contributed piano tracks to Dave Mason's "Alone Together" album in 1970. Leon was the piano player on Campbell's 1967 "Gentle on My Mind" album credited as Russell Bridges. Through the years Leon has performed on several of Bob Dylan's recordings.

Answer: Claude Russell Bridges

Leon was named Claude Russell Bridges at birth. Chuck Blackwell, Leo Feathers and Johnny Williams were members of one of Leon's first bands called the Starlighters. Leon began taking piano lesson before he started school and was only 14 years old when he began performing live in the Tulsa area.

The Starlighters became known for their style which was dubbed "The Tulsa Sound". Leon was still in his teens when he relocated to California and became a first-call session player for a number of studios.