Leon Russell : the master of space and time's journey through rock & roll history / Bill Janovitz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Janovitz, Bill, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Russell, Leon.

Rock musicians--United States--Biography.

Rock musicians.

United States.

Genre:

Biography.

Biographies.

Physical Description:

x, 582 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Other Title:

Master of space and time's journey through rock and roll history

Place of Publication:

New York : Hachette Books, 2023.

Summary:

"The definitive biography of legendary musician, composer, and performer Leon Russell, 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"-- Provided by publisher

"Leon Russell is an icon, but somehow is still an underappreciated artist. He is spoken of in tones reserved not just for the most talented musicians, but also for the most complex and fascinating. His career is like a roadmap of music history, often intersecting with rock royalty like Bob Dylan, the Stones, and the Beatles. He started in the Fifties as a teenager touring with Jerry Lee Lewis, going on to play piano on records by such giants as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and Phil Spector, and on hundreds of classic songs with major recording artists. Leon was Elton John's idol, and Elton inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Leon also gets credit for altering Willie Nelson's career, giving us the long-haired, pot-friendly Willie we all know and love today. In his prime, Leon filled stadiums on solo tours, and was an organizer/performer on both Joe Cocker's revolutionary Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh. Leon also founded Shelter Records in 1969 with producer Denny Cordell, discovering and releasing the debut albums of Tom Petty, the Gap Band, Phoebe Snow, and J.J. Cale. Leon always assembled wildly diverse bands and performances, fostering creative and free atmospheres for musicians to live and work together. He brazenly challenged musical and social barriers. However, Russell also struggled with his demons, including substance abuse, severe depression, and a crippling stage fright that wreaked havoc on his psyche over the long haul and at times seemed to will himself into obscurity. Now, acclaimed author and founding member of Buffalo Tom, Bill Janovitz shines the spotlight on one of the most important music makers of the twentieth century."--Inside front jacket flap

Contents:

Killer education

Okies

Tulsa time

Oklahoma's lonesome cowboys are turned on in Tinsletown

The wall of sound

Playboys, Beach Boys, and Byrds

High on Skyhill Drive

Asylum choir

Accept no substitute

Hello little friend

A song for you

Shelter in place

Meet the Mad Dogs & Englishmen

Learning to live together

I'm coming home

Shelter people

On the road to Bangladesh

Going back to Tulsa

Carney

Leon's live

Hank Wilson's back

Factions

Stop all that jazz

Will o' the wisp

Don't fly away

Wedding album

Paradise in Burbank

Paradise lost

Life and love

One more love song

On the borderline

Back on the road . . . to obscurity

Going down

Anything can happen

Just a face in the crowd

I'm broke. My wife and kids are rich

The union

Hall of fame

Life journey

Putting the top hat back on

In a place where there's no space or time.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 562-564) and index.

ISBN:

9780306924774

0306924773

OCLC:

1371525954