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Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom) has us obsessing over Leon Russell

Leon Russell may be an enigmatic and underappreciated figure in the world of music, but author and musician Bill Janovitz is determined to shed light on his life and legacy in a new biography that has music lovers buzzing.

Leon Russell, an icon in the world of music, remains an enigmatic and underappreciated figure. His life and work are worthy of examination, as he is a musician who not only represents an era of music history but who has profoundly influenced many musicians who came after him.

From his beginnings as a teenager touring with Jerry Lee Lewis in the 1950s, to playing piano on records by Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and Phil Spector, Leon’s career is a roadmap of the greats of music, that often intersected with rock royalty like Bob Dylan, the Stones, and the Beatles.

Leon Russell

Leon was more than just a gifted musician, he was also a trailblazer who dared to challenge social and musical barriers.

He founded Shelter Records in 1969 with producer Denny Cordell, a label that would discover and release the debut albums of Tom Petty, the Gap Band, Phoebe Snow, and J.J. Cale.

Leon also organized and performed on Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh. He brazenly assembled wildly diverse bands and performances, creating creative and free atmospheres for musicians to live and work together. 

Leon also gets credit for altering Willie Nelson’s career, giving us the long-haired, pot-friendly Willie we all know and love today.

However, Leon’s life was not without its struggles. He battled with substance abuse, severe depression, and a crippling stage fright that plagued him throughout his career. 

Leon Russell memoir

Despite these challenges, Leon still managed to fill stadiums on solo tours and was recognized by Elton John, who inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.

Musicians and author Bill Janovitz highlighted this important music maker of the twentieth century with a definitive biography of legendary musician, composer, and performer who had a profound influence on countless artists, including George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, and the world of music as a whole. Check it out here.

So thanks, Bill for shining the spotlight on one of the most important music makers of the twentieth century.

Listen to ‘A Song For You’ and ‘Stranger In A Strange Land’ below: