The Best Never Known

He has played with artists such as;
Jerry Lee Lewis, Phil Spector, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Elton John, BB King, Eric Clapton, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Badfinger, Tijuana Brass, J.J. Cale, David Gates (of Bread), Frank Sinatra, The Band, Marc Benno, Edgar and Johnny Winter, Glen Campbell, and The Rolling Stones.

His works encompass the genres of rock, blues, and gospel.

He wrote some of the most covered hits in popular music.
Here are a few:

Superstar: Sung by the Carpenters, Rita Coolidge, Luther Vandross and countless American Idol contestants.

A Song For You: Sung by Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles, The Carpenters again (and you thought they wrote all their own music), Michael Buble, Simply Red, Natalie Cole, Rufus Wainright and oh so many more (Yes. Just that song!)

This Masquerade:sung by The Carpenters (I am not making this up. Honestly!), Ella Fitzgerald, Helen Reddy, Johnnie Taylor and the inimitable George Benson.

He has had a solo career spanning over 40 years and 30 SOLO albums.

His name is.......................................... Leon Russell, and if you are under 45, there is a good chance you have no idea who he is.

And if you are over 45, you probably still have no idea. Unless you are one out of millions who have seen him in the renowned 'Concert For Bangladesh' or countless other performances throughout North America during the last 30 odd years of the millenium. My point is SOMEBODY saw him!! And yet ask anyone NOT in the music industry and they stare at you blankly.

If you are expecting me to impart some nugget of deep wisdom as to how that's possible, I have none.

He is a great pianist, guitarist, songwriter, lyricist and singer, but for all you know, he could be the great grandson of Mao Tse Tung (He's not. I do do some research.).

Can it be that Show Business is discriminatory toward people who make peculiar fashion choices? This is Leon at his best.

So what if he looks like the bastard offspring of Kid Rock and Jamiroquai? Surely Hollywood has seen worse.

Recent photos indicate he may actually be the lovechild of ZZ Top and the Winter brothers (Johnny and Edgar, not Jonathan and...whoever his brother was). but who cares? Do we really need to know why?
This guy is obviously a musical genius, and since we know that what's old is always new again,this is a chance for all you "super-progressive, indie rock listening, going out on a limb by yourself but only if all your friends want to go" people to listen to something new.

You are intrigued. I can tell. Google him. Download him. Read about him, and try to figure out how someone like this could go so unnoticed by someone like you who prides yourself, not only in keeping your finger on the pulse of pop culture, but more specifically on the music scene itself.

Well, go forth and listen children, because even if his voice doesn't hit you (not that it shouldn't), his music, in the hands of your favourite artist will.

Now because this man was obviously not concerned with labels and boundaries (and hairstyles), you may want to approach the exploration of his music with caution.

So, once again, here am I to point the way (Praise the lord!).

I have made a list of suggestions in addition to the ones above for songs that will get you started. Some of these songs will sound familiar because you have heard others sing them, but most of those people originally heard the songs by the man who bore them:

Leon Russell

Delta Lady
Lady Blue
Hummingbird
One More Love Song
Act Naturally
Magic Mirror
Tight Rope
How Can This Be Love

Go on, you know you want to.