by Jason AnkenyThe ultimate rock & roll session man, Leon Russells long and storied career includes collaborations with a virtual whos who of music icons spanning from Jerry Lee Lewis to Phil Spector to the Rolling Stones. A similar eclecticism and scope also surfaced in his solo work, which couched his charmingly gravelly voice in a rustic yet rich swamp pop fusion of country, blues and gospel. Born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942, in Lawton, OK, he began studying classical piano at age three, a decade later adopting the trumpet and forming his first band. At 14, Russell lied about his age to land a gig at a Tulsa nightclub, playing behind Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks before touring in support of Jerry Lee Lewis. Two years later, he settled in Los Angeles, studying guitar under the legendary James Burton and appearing on sessions with Dorsey Burnette and Glen Campbell. As a member of Spectors renowned studio group, Russell played on many of the finest pop singles of the 1960s, also arranging classics like Ike & Tina Turners monumental River Deep, Mountain High; other hits bearing his input include the Byrds Mr. Tambourine Man, Gary Lewis & the Playboys This Diamond Ring, and Herb Alperts A Taste of Honey.In 1967, Russell built his own recording studio, teaming with guitarist Marc Benno to record the acclaimed Look Inside the Asylum Choir LP. While touring with Delaney & Bonnie, he scored his first songwriting hit with Joe Cockers reading of Delta Lady, and in 1970, upon founding his own Shelter Records imprint, he also organized Cockers legendary Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. After the subsequent tour film earned Russell his first real mainstream notoriety, he issued a self-titled solo LP, and in 1971 appeared at George Harrisons Concert for Bangladesh following sessions for B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan. After touring with the Rolling Stones, Russell increasingly focused on his solo career, reaching the number two spot with 1972s Carny and scoring his first pop hit with the single Tight Rope. While the success of 1973s three-LP set Leon Live further established his reputation as a top concert draw, response to the country inspired studio effort Hank Wilsons Back was considerably more lukewarm, as was the reception afforded to 1974s Stop All That Jazz. 1975s Will O the Wisp, however, restored his commercial luster, thanks in large part to the lovely single Lady Blue. In June of 1975, Russell married singer Mary McCreary; the following year the couple collaborated on The Wedding Album, issued through his newly formed Paradise Records label. Also in 1976, the Russell-penned This Masquerade earned a Grammy Award for singer George Benson. He and McCreary reunited for 1977s Make Love to the Music, and upon completing the solo Americana, Russell teamed with Willie Nelson for 1979s Willie & Leon. He then spent the next two years touring with his bluegrass band, the New Grass Revival, issuing a live LP in 1981; although Paradise shut down later that year, the label was reactivated for 1984s Hank Wilson, Vol. II and Solid State. Russell spent the remainder of the decade largely outside of music and did not resurface until issuing the Bruce Hornsby produced Anything Can Happen in 1992. The album appeared to little fanfare, however, and another long period of relative inactivity followed prior to the 1998 release of Hank Wilson, Vol. 3: Legend in My Time. Face in the Crowd appeared a year later.