Hair Show Rock Giant Leon Russell Brings His Gritty Sound To Sandpoint

The enduring image of Leon Russell - at least for those old enough to remember the 1970s - is of a mad-hatted, white-haired crazy man pounding out rhythm piano on “Delta Lady.”

However, not everyone is aware that Russell’s influence goes far beyond that, all the way back into rock’s early years.

Which is just another way of saying: Sandpoint is in for a rare treat when Russell and his band arrives at the Panida Theatre on Saturday. No one interested in rock’s roots should pass up this show.

How influential has Russell been? Just listen to what the Penguin Encyclopedia of Popular Music says about him:

“Indeed he is probably one of the last giants in rock, helping to restore piano and horn section to their rightful place, never forgetting with his gospelish piano, gritty vocals and fine songs that the best rock is essentially white rhythm and blues.”

Before he became a celebrity himself, Russell was a key figure behind the scenes. An Oklahoma native, he played with Ronnie Hawkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, and soon became one of rock’s most sought-after session men.

He played on most of the classic Phil Spector hits. He was a session man on the Byrds’ hit “Mr. Tambourine Man” and Herb Alpert’s “A Taste of Honey.” He arranged and produced “Feelin’ Groovy” for the Harper’s Bizarre, “Watching the River Flow” for Bob Dylan and “This Diamond Ring” and most of the other hits by Gary Lewis and the Playboys. He was the regular pianist on ABC’s “Shindig!” show.

And he was still virtually unknown outside the musical community.

That changed in the late ‘60s when he hooked up with such rising stars as Joe Cocker, Delaney and Bonnie, and Rita Coolidge. Suddenly he was the highly visible bandmaster of several huge live tours, including Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. The album and the subsequent movie made Russell famous.

He followed that up with his own popular solo albums, including “Leon Russell and the Shelter People” and “Carney.” His chart hits included “Tightrope” and “Lady Blue,” both in the early ‘70s.

Russell made a successful foray into the country charts in the ‘70s under the pseudonym Hank Wilson, and he had several successful duets with Willie Nelson in the ‘80s.

It wasn’t until 1992 that he burst back on the rock scene with an album produced by Bruce Hornsby, “Anything Can Happen,” and some acclaimed festival performances. He now tours with a four-piece band that includes his son, Teddy Jack.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CONCERT Leon Russell performs Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint. Tickets: $19 in advance at Street Music in Spokane, The Long Ear in Coeur d’Alene, Small Potatoes in Bonners Ferry, and Eichardts Pub and Java Adagio in Sandpoint, or $21 at the door.