I went to a Hanson concert in Tulsa on Friday (drove 11 hours to see it!) and at the end they did a encore on stage with special surprise guests Leon Russell and the Tractors' Steve Ripley. Usually I know a lot of old artists or groups but I have never even heard of Leon Russell before. Anyone know who he is or a fan at all? I even asked my mom and she never heard of him either. From what I hear he really is a LEGEND and I feel kind of bad I never heard of him! Although it was a little worse because some other younger fans at the show were like "They (Hanson) did a song with some old dude on stage". I don't think he's just "some old dude".

But he really was amazing and talented. They played Tulsa Time (the Eric Clapton cover) and it was a cool song. Hanson was just beaming with delight on stage because you could tell they were so happy to be playing with those guys.

I sure had a GREAT time at the concert. TOTALLY worth the long drive.


:)

You never heard of Leon Russell? :eek:

Leon Russell is a rock and roll genius! He got his start as a leader of the house band on Jimmy O'Neil's "Shindig" in the sixties. He coproduced Joe Cocker's second album and wrote "Delta Lady," which Cocker included on that LP. and played on the Rolling Stones's Let It Bleed. He worked with Delaney Bramlett of Delaney and Bonnie, who was also in the Shindig house band, and cowrote "Superstar" (made famous by the Carpenters) with Bonnie Bramlett. In 1970 alone, Russell worked with Eric Clapton, led Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen touring band, recorded his self-titled debut solo album, and sat in on various sessions. In 1971, he appeared at George Harrison's Bangladesh concerts, worked with Bob Dylan in the studio, and released his second album, Leon Russell and the Shelter People. both of his first two albums are highly recommended. Russell's seeming ability to be everywhere at once earned him the nickname "The Master of Space and Time." :)

thanks for all that information on him!

I'm even MORE surprised my MOM never heard of him! First we were thinking he was maybe a country singer, because my mom never listens to country, but we weren't sure. My uncle probably would know who he is since he's a musician (just for a hobby) and loves a lot of music.

I'm even MORE surprised my MOM never heard of him! First we were thinking he was maybe a country singer, because my mom never listens to country, but we weren't sure.


You're welcome ! By the way, I heard Leon do a live version of the Beatles' "I've Just Seen A Face" that could qualify as country. :)

FWIW, Leon also performed a few songs, including "Tight Rope" in 1972 and "Song For You" (sorry, don't know the year on account of it not reaching the Billboard Top 100 on the pop charts--when I first heard it I thought I was listening to Billy Joel since the only accompanying instrument was a piano). As far as C&W, he sang a rendition of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" with Willie Nelson in 1979.

Rock on, Leon! :guitar: :rock: