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editLeon Russell recordings earned six gold records. He received two Grammy awards from seven nominations. In 2011, he was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2010 he recorded The Union with Elton John. [1]
Elton John, who had once been Russell's opening act, acknowledged him as his "biggest influence as a piano player, a singer and a songwriter."[2][3] On hearing of Russell's death, he said: "My darling Leon Russell passed away last night. He was a mentor, inspiration and so kind to me. I loved him and always will."[2] John once recalled:
When Mr. Russell's "Greatest Hits" album came on one day during the trip, I started to cry, it moved me so much. His music takes me back to the most wonderful time in my life, and it makes me so angry that he's been forgotten.[4]
Pixies vocalist Black Francis credits Russell with influencing his vocal style: "I realise there's a certain kind of vocalising I do that takes its cue from Leon Russell. He sang in a southern accent but it was very blown-out and exaggerated, very free and loose."[5]
References
- ^ "Leon Russell Biography". Biography.com. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
- ^ a b Carly Mallenbaum (November 13, 2016). "Elton John remembers 'mentor, inspiration' Leon Russell". USA Today. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Bill Trott (November 13, 2016). "Leon Russell, musician known for dynamic performances, dies at 74". Reuters. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
NYT-2010was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Killian Fox (June 28, 2014). "Black Francis: soundtrack of my life". The Guardian. Retrieved August 13, 2018.