Leon Russell

Leon Russell is an icon, but in many ways he is also an underappreciated artist. A Zelig figure for a number of decades, he is spoken of in tones reserved not just for the most talented musicians, but also the most complex and fascinating. His career is like a roadmap of American music, yet he worked integrally with the Beatles and the Stones. He played piano on Sinatra's ''Strangers in the Night'' and The Beach Boys' ''Help Me, Rhonda'' among hundreds of other classic songs with major recording artists. Leon inspired Elton John's career, and Elton inducted Leon into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. That same year, Leon released his last significant album, which was a collaboration with Elton titled The Union. Leon also gets credit for altering Willie Nelson's career, giving us the long-haired, pot-friendly Willie we all know and love today. In his prime, Leon filled stadiums on solo tours, and was an organizer/performer of both Joe Cocker's revolutionary Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh. On the personal side, Leon struggled with his demons, including substance abuse, severe depression, and a crippling stage fright that wreaked havoc on his psyche over the long haul. He was an early proponent of cultural diversity, assembling wildly diverse bands and performances and laughing in the face of musical and social barriers. Acclaimed author and founding member of Buffalo Tom, Bill Janovitz shines the spotlight on one of the most important music makers of the twentieth century.