Leon Russell

Multi-instrumentalist (mainly keyboardist and pianist), eminent composer and singer, Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges, 1942-2016) has played with many rock stars, from Jerry Lee Lewis in the 1950s to Elton John in 2010, via Frank Sinatra, Phil Spector, Joe Cocker and The Rolling Stones. His career, launched with Marc Benno in Asylum Choir, is punctuated by hits (the classics "A Song for You" and "Tight Rope" ), landmark albums (the triple Leon Russell Live ) and collaborations (with his wife Mary McCreary, Willie Nelson). A colorful character and respected musician, he teamed up with Elton John for The Union (2010) and released a final album, Life Journey (2014), before passing away on November 13, 2016 at the age of 74. Before his death in 2015, he collaborated with the Tedeschi Trucks Band on the album Mad Dogs & Englishmen Revisited Live at Lockn', released ten years later, which revives Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, in which Russell took part in 1970.