University of Virginia Library

Never Bragged

On Russell's first Shelter album
in which he wrote most of the
songs not only does he sing the
blues, but he plays the piano,
guitar, and does most of the drums.
Accompanying Russell were Ringo
Starr, George Harrison, and Eric
Clapton. Much of the material
sounds like the Beatles and a few
cuts even sound like the Rolling
Stones.

People are often quite amazed
upon meeting Leon Russell in
person. As a performer he is so
electrifying in appearance and so
completely captivating on stage
that it is hard to imagine how quiet
and soft-spoken he really is. It has
been said that he even looks
surprised when someone
compliments him, and that he
probably has never bragged in his
life.

Oklahoma-born Russell played
classical piano for 10 years
beginning at age three. At fourteen
he was playing the trumpet for his
own band in Tulsa night clubs.
There they often played with a
group now called The Band. It was
then that they met Jerry Lee Lewis
who took them on tour with him.