Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell Dies at 74
Leon Russell, known as one of rock ‘n roll’s most dynamic musicians, died on Sunday morning, according to his website. Referring to Russell as the “Master of Space and Time,” the post included that his wife said Russell died in his sleep at his home in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 74.
Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, the musician and songwriter spent five decades performing his unique, “gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music,” according to his site.
Russell emerged on the rock scene in the 1970s and at one point, Elton John was his opening act. In 2010, the two musicians collaborated on an album, The Union. In an Instagram post on Sunday, the Rocket Man celebrated the life of his “darling” pal.
“My darling Leon Russell passed away last night. He was a mentor, inspiration and so kind to me. Thank God we caught up with each other and made ‘The Union.’ He got his reputation back and felt fulfilled. I loved him and always will. #LeonRussell #RIP #TheHandsOfAngels,” John, 69, wrote.
Russell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 after an illustrious career that started with performances when he was 14 years old, according to Reuters.
He went on to record more than 35 albums and wrote countless hits for artists including the Carpenters, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, among others.
