Leon Russell
![Russell in an ad in ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', February 1970](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Leon_Russell_Billboard.jpg)
Russell collaborated with many notable artists and recorded 33 albums and 430 songs. He wrote "Delta Lady", recorded by Joe Cocker, and organized and performed with Cocker's ''Mad Dogs & Englishmen'' tour in 1970. His "A Song for You", which was named to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018, has been recorded by more than 200 artists, and his song "This Masquerade" by more than 75.
As a pianist, Russell played in his early years on albums by the Beach Boys, The Ventures, Dick Dale, and Jan and Dean. On his first album, ''Leon Russell'', in 1970, the musicians included Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. One of his early fans, Elton John, said that Russell was a "mentor" and an "inspiration". They recorded their album ''The Union'' in 2010, earning them a Grammy nomination.
Russell produced and played in recording sessions for Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike & Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, and many other artists. He wrote and recorded the hits "Tight Rope" and "Lady Blue". He performed at The Concert for Bangladesh in 1971, along with Harrison, Dylan, and Clapton; for this he earned a Grammy Award. Provided by Wikipedia