Is Leon Russell getting too much exposure?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by joepepitone, Apr 3, 2011.

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  1. joepepitone

    joepepitone Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    Let me start off by saying, I'm a big Leon fan. First the Elton duet, next the Rock and Roll HOF and finally last night he was on Saturday Night Live. He looks downright uncomfortable, plus he recently underwent brain surgery. I know he deserves the attention and all that, but do you think he really wants it?
     
  2. noname74

    noname74 Allegedly Canadian

    Location:
    .
    Leon has been out of the spotlight for a very long time so yes...he looks uncomfortable as he hasn't had this kind of attention for a very long time. Give him some time to find his 'legs'.
     
  3. Jeff K

    Jeff K Well-Known Member

    Location:
    Eastern, PA. USA
    If he didn't want it or wasn't physically capable, he wouldn't do it. I don't think anyone's exploiting him, especially not Elton. His comeback is an amazing story and it's nice to see him back in action again.
     
  4. pscreed

    pscreed Upstanding Member

    Location:
    Land of the Free
    He might need it... I imagine after what he has been through health- wise the man may be looking to put a little extra aside for his loved ones and those that may depend on him. Not to be morbid or anything but we all have a finite time in this world, and he may have a perspective right now that we don't know about.

    At any rate, hope he has many happy, healthy and productive years still to come.
     
  5. serge

    serge Forum Resident

    Location:
    Arlington, VA
    no. .he NEEDS it... to be frank he hasn't been drawing too well and has been touring A LOT so my guess is he needs the benjamins and he deserves them.. its his last shot..
     
  6. joepepitone

    joepepitone Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    USA
    Thanks for all the valid points of view. Last night on SNL, Leon WAS the musical guest, but Elton sang 95% of the lead vocals. Weird.
     
  7. zen

    zen Senior Member

    Yes. Not that he doesn't deserve it, it's just comin' off a little too MEDIA BLITZ right now, from this perspective.
     
  8. tonyc

    tonyc Forum Resident

    Location:
    United States
    No, Leon is just making up for that small gap in his career from about 1976-2009 when everyone forgot him.
     
  9. mrbillswildride

    mrbillswildride Internet Asylum Escapee 2010, 2012, 2014

    I thought he looked a little pale actually...

    He was not the musical guest, Elton was host and guest, he just brought his idol along for the fun of it and to get him some more record sales, you know help the old man out... a nobel gesture... I loved both tunes, and wished Bitch is Back had made the end of the show...


    cheers,
     
  10. xyyyy

    xyyyy Forum Resident

    I didn't-
     
  11. masterbucket

    masterbucket Senior Member

    Location:
    Georgia US
    Leon is still one of the kings on the keys and always will be.
    I met him after a show many years ago and he was very quiet peaceful guy with not a whole lot to say.
    He signed my Gold DCC Leon cd and I shook his hand and moved on.
     
  12. ssmith3046

    ssmith3046 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Arizona desert
    You can tell Leon is not a well man. Actually, I saw him play in a bar in Albuquerque about 20 years ago and he didn't appear to be in the best of health then. I'm gald for the recent exposure he has gotten lately.
     
  13. serge

    serge Forum Resident

    Location:
    Arlington, VA
    well this may be true but he still plays the piano like nobody's business.. i saw him last year and stood five feet away looking and it was marvelous..
     
  14. Mark

    Mark I Am Gort, Hear Me Roar Staff

    Never.
     
  15. Gentle Giant

    Gentle Giant Active Member

    Location:
    Boston, MA
    His hair is overexposed.
     
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  16. apple-richard

    apple-richard *Overnight Sensation*

    I'll always be grateful that he was in Mad Dogs and Englishmen and The Concert For Bangla Desh. Those movies and records made a big impression on me in my youth. May Leon keep on keeping on.

    And thank Leon and Shelter Records for giving Tom Petty and Dwight Twilley a chance.
     
  17. stumpy

    stumpy Forum Resident

    Location:
    South of Nashville
    I'd say we owe him quite a bit more exposure that what we've given him over time. This makes me appreciate Elton John in a new kind of way. It sorta reminds me of when the British Invasion guys made the trip over to the U.S. and brought out their old delta blues idols in the late 60s.

    I'd really like to know if Leon was still in it just for living money or just for the love of the road. There's a dot on that line somewhere. Hopefully, he'll have a nice cushion to do whatever he wants now.
     
  18. sagafan

    sagafan Member

    Location:
    Midsouth
    Flew into Pittsburgh last week, met with friends. and went to an Elton Concert. Loved the show, Sir Elton played 8 newer tracks with him, and lost part of the vibe. Still nice show.
     
  19. mrbillswildride

    mrbillswildride Internet Asylum Escapee 2010, 2012, 2014

    A Tale For You...

    Last fall when Leon and Elton released The Union I met a local yokel who swore he was an A&R man for Shelter Records back in their heyday. He said he had originals of the first two Leon albums with the Superman Logo intact. I told him Shelter People was my fave LR album--never forget the first time I heard him on the radio--Alcatraz, in 1985, it made me stand up and take note. Anyhow, I said I had a few copies of Shelter People already with the logo intact, eggshell inner and lyric sheet and all, but did his 'original' A Song For You debut have Old Masters--the rare minute and a half Dylan cover which was taken off quickly after a limited first pressing. He said it did. And both were mint, unplayed.

    I offered him $50 for the pair, in my mind $40 for the rare debut with Old Masters, and another tenner for Shelter People just to have another mint copy and offer for both. He never got back to me...

    About three months later, I'm searching the local stores New Arrivals of Used Lps section and there is Leon face on his debut, and there is the Superman logo, iI turn it over and there is the Old Masters track listed, and I open up the Lp and there it is on the label, and the record was stone mint, priced at $7 bucks...

    I never let it leave my hands until it was purchased and safelty home, now a prized record in my collection...


    Just thought I'd share..


    That first album is really growning on me, but I still love Shelter People the best...



    cheers,
     
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  20. sirwallacerock

    sirwallacerock The Gun Went Off In My Hand, Officer

    Location:
    salem, or
    From what I gather Leon's a moody guy under the best of circumstances, but his current discomfort might have to do with the fact a judge refused to postpone a lawsuit concerning (alleged) unpaid royalties brought about by his ex-wife Mary. I believe it starts on Tuesday or Weds, barring any last minute postponements...a very acrimonious split, that one, nearly thirty years ago...
     
  21. shepherdfan

    shepherdfan Western European Socialist Music Lover

    Location:
    Eugene, OR
    This is just a complete guess on my part. Leon is probably aware of the paradoxes of this kind of thing happening to him right now. He knows he needs the exposure, but he's also aware of the risks involved as well. He's likely going through a personal balancing act in dealing with it. How he deals with it is indicative of his nature and is his own business. I suppose he has friends that he can trust to talk about these things with-including Elton. I'm just glad he's getting the recognition. It's been a long time coming and I'm sure there's a bit of that down there in the private recesses of his mind too.
     
  22. jukeboxexpress

    jukeboxexpress Forum Resident

    Location:
    Fresno, CA, U.S.A.
    I couldn't believe seeing him on the latest SNL. It blew me away. Leon is a solid part of musical history it's great to see him again. He more than deserves getting any attention and it would be really kool to see and hear more from him.
    -Dan
     
  23. tonyc

    tonyc Forum Resident

    Location:
    United States
    I wanted to mention that Leon Russell has a new Best Of coming out April 5 so he will have his own record out to capitalize on his recent publicity.

    Also, some mentioned he looked uncomfortable on SNL but he looked very happy to me during those closing credits and when Elton did "The Bitch Is Back" after the show aired.

    Finally, Leon is touring Australia in two weeks so he is continuing an aggressive schedule and I doubt he could do it all if he was still in poor health following his brain surgery.
     
  24. rockclassics

    rockclassics Senior Member

    Location:
    Mainline Florida
    :righton:

    Same here. No - he is not getting too much exposure now. He is the master - of space and time.
     
  25. johnny 99

    johnny 99 Down On Main Street

    Location:
    Toronto
    No way man!

    Elton reminded me and a lot of others from my generation what a great talent Russell was (is)

    The Union is a phenomenal album!; I truly didn't see this coming.

    Bless Elton John's heart; this was a win-win in every sense of the word for all involved.
     
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