River to River: Leon Russell

Leon Russell performs in Ontario.  (Herald News photo by Alejandro Cano)Wednesday, July 10, 2013, 7:00 PM

Leon Russell has spent nearly seven decades in music as a singer-songwriter, pianist, and guitarist. Originally renowned as one of the premier session musician in all of popular music, Russell was a longtime member of the famed studio ensemble known as The Wrecking Crew, and played with Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys and many others. Russell attained superstar status as the music director for Joe Cocker’s legendary 1970 tour Mad Dogs and Englishmen, followed in 1971 by his thrilling appearance with George Harrison and Bob Dylan at the Concert For Bangla Desh at Madison Square Garden. Russell was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after producing a Grammy-nominated album with Elton John in 2012.