Rock'n'Roll legend Leon Russell dies

Leon Russel died in his sleep at the age of 74 in Nashville, Tennessee.

17:00 14 November 2016

Leon Russell, who was famed for his "gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music" has died in his sleep at the age of 74 in Nashville, Tennessee. 

 

He started playing as a studio pianist in the 1960s and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011 with Elton John calling him his “biggest influence as a piano player, a singer and a songwriter.” The two collaborated on an album called The Union in 2010, which took third place in a list of 2010’s best albums by Rolling Stone Magazine. 

 

Russel recorded more than 35 albums and was best known for his A Song For You, a song that was eventually recorded and covered by the Carpenters, the Temptations, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Willie Nelson.