Leon Russel live at the Fargo Theatre

Leon Russell makes a special stop at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo, N.D., on Wednesday, April 11, 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 17, at noon. Reserved seating costs $35. Applicable fees may apply. Purchase tickets at Tickets300 (300 Broadway; open Monday – Friday noon – 6 p.m.), via phone at (866) 300-8300 on online at Tickets300.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.



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.

Songwriter Hall of Fame Inductees

Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, John Bettis, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly and Allen Toussaint will become the newest members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization’s 42nd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner. The event is set for Thursday, June 16 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

Certified by the RIAA as the No. 1 selling solo artist in U.S. history, Brooks has sold more than 128 million albums and is the only solo artist in RIAA history to have six albums top the 10 million mark. As a songwriter his credits include “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers” and more.

Fellow inductee Leon Russell has been busy collaborating with Elton John. His songwriting credits include “A Song For You,” “This Masquerade,” ” Delta Lady,” “Tight Rope,” “Bluebird,” “Back To The Island,” and “Hummingbird.” He will also be honored with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s first Award for Musical Excellence in March.

Other inductees include John Bettis, who has written songs that have sold more than 250 million records worldwide such as “Human Nature” and “Crazy For You;” musician, songwriter and record producer Allen Toussaint, who wrote songs “Yes We Can” and “Working in the Coalmine;” and Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly who co-wrote five No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, including “Like A Virgin,” “True Colors,” and “Eternal Flame.”