Leon Russell

A versatile musician whose session credits ranged from Herb Alpert to Phil Spector, Oklahoma native Leon Russell also had wide-ranging success as a songwriter. His stint as music director for Joe Cocker resulted in his initial songwriting success—Cocker’s 1969 hit “Delta Lady.” He scored his own hit in 1972 with “Tightrope,” and also wrote “Superstar,” which became a big hit for both the Carpenters and Luther Vandross.

Key songs in the Russell catalog include “A Song for You,” “Delta Lady,” “Superstar,” “This Masquerade” and “Tightrope.”

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