rom southwest Oklahoma, to as “the most famous band you FClaude Russell Bridges was didn’t know you loved.” During born in Lawton. From an early 1964, Russell appeared multiple age, and with the keen ability times on Shindig, ABC’s variety to play by ear, he was drawn show featuring entertainers from to music and the family piano. all musical genres. By the time he was a teenager, Already respected for his he had mastered multiple talents as an arranger, producer, instruments. And, after relocating and composer, it was during his with his family to Tulsa, while time with VIVA Records that still in high school he began he honed his songwriting skills, playing in local nightclubs with penning multiple hits including The Accents. The band caught “Everybody Loves a Clown” the attention of Jerry Lee Lewis, for Gary Lewis & The Playboys. and the group joined his tour. In 1969 he co-founded Shelter Within just a few years, and Records and the debut was going by the name Leon Russell, Russell’s album Leon, featuring he had made the move to Los the hits “A Song for You” and Angeles, California, to pursue “Delta Lady.” It reached #60 LEON RUSSELL his music career. He formed The on the Billboard 200. As lead LAWTON/TULSA Fencemen with fellow musicians guitarist, pianist, and music and former high school classmate director, Russell pulled together David Gates. As one of the most more than 20 musicians for sought-after session musicians in Joe Cocker and the Mad Dogs the business, Russell became a and Englishman Tour. Russell member of an elite studio group. performed songs of his own and The Wrecking Crew backed the the live album went to #2 on biggest names of the 1960s— the Billboard 200. In just more including The Beach Boys, Frank than a decade after arriving in Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Bob California, Leon Russell was a Dylan. They were often referred super star. “He was my hero.” ELTON JOHN 46