After lying about his age to perform in a Tulsa, Okla., nightclub, Russell’s career started out at age 14 touring with Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks in support of icon, Jerry Lee Lewis. After moving to Los Angeles and studying with Elvis’ lead guitarist, James Burton, Russell soon became a member of Phil Spector’s legendary renowned studio group. Russell played on many of the finest pop singles of the 1960s, and arranged classics like Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High,” The Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Gary Lewis & The Playboy’s “This Diamond Ring” and Herb Alpert’s “A Taste of Honey.”
His first songwriting hit, “Delta Lady,” sung by Joe Cocker opened the doors for mainstream notoriety. He would appear on George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh, sessions with B.B. King, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan. In 1972, his pop single, “Tight Rope,” became a hit. In 1979, his duet with Willie Nelson, “Heartbreak Hotel,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard country music chart.
His recent collaboration with Bernie Taupin and Elton John, The Union, has received critical acclaim and is further proof that Russell is essential to music’s past and future.
The Fargo Theatre is located at 314 Broadway North. Visit LeonRussellRecords.com.
