Happy birthday to the late Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell, who would would have turned 72 on Friday.
Russell was born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942 in Lawton, and died on Nov. 13, 2016 at his home in Hermitage, Tennessee.
We've gathered some of the many photos we have chronicling the life and impact of the legendary musician, Leon Russell.
The Master of Space and Time
The Master of Space and Time, Leon Russell. Born in Lawton, raised in Tulsa, Russell was playing nightclubs by the age of 14 and toured with Jerry Lee Lewis at 17. His 1970 debut album included performances by Beatles George Harrison and Ringo Starr, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, and Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, and Klaus Voorman.
Leon Russell with David Gates at high school
Leon Russell (rop right) and David Gates (top left) of the band Bread were classmates at Will Rogers High School before going on to acclaimed professional music careers. Courtesy Steve Todoroff
Leon Russell's high school piano
Leon Russell played this Baldwin grand piano when he was a student at Will Rogers High School. The piano has been restored and was dedicated to Russell during a concert.
STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Leon Russell's high school piano
A decades-old Baldwin grand piano that was played by Leon Russell in the 1950s was in bad shape before a recent restoration. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Gary Busey and Leon Russell
Gary Busey and Leon Russell, who both attended Tulsa high schools, toured together for many years and remained friends. Busey’s band was featured on Russell’s tours, and on local television. COURTESY/Oklahoma History Center, from Leon Russell’s book “Road Trip”
OKPOP Leon Russell
You’ll find Oklahoman Leon Russell on this pressbook for “The Concert for Bangladesh.” And this pressbook is among items collected for OKPOP. Courtesy
Leon Russell "Life Journey"
Cover to Leon Russell's album, "Life Journey"
Circa 1983
Leon Russell in 1983. Tulsa World file
Concert, 1987
Leon Russell in concert April 1987. Tulsa Tribune from library archives
Brady Theater, 1997
Leon Russell at the Brady Theater 1997.
Riverwest stage, 1997
Leon Russell performs during a concert at the Riverwest stage on Sept. 20th 1997. Photo by Tom Gilbert.
Curly's, 2001
Leon Russell performs at Curly's on March 31, 2001.
Curly's, 2001
Leon Russell performs at Curly's on March 31, 2001.
Brady Theater, 2002
Leon Russell performing live at the Brady Theater 12/02/2002.
Brady Theater, 2002
Leon Russell performing live at the Brady Theater 12/02/2002.
Brady Theater, 2002
Leon Russell performing live at the Brady Theater 12/02/2002.
Brady Theater, 2002
Leon Russell performing live at the Brady Theater 12/02/2002. Photo by Evan Semon
Leon Russell's 60th Birthday Bash
Leon Russell performs at the Brady Theater for his 60th birthday bash on April 6, 2002. James Gibbard/Tulsa World file
Leon Russell's 60th Birthday Bash. 2002
Leon Russell performs at the Brady Theater for his 60th birthday bash on April 6, 2002.
Mayfest through the years
Taylor Hanson (right) plays with Tulsa legends Leon Russell (left) and Steve Ripley at Tulsa International Mayfest 2005. Tulsa World File
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, 2006
Leon Russell performs during the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame concert October 12, 2006. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, 2006
Leon Russell performs during the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame concert October 12, 2006. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Cain's Blues fest
Leon Russell performs at the "Blues at the Cain's" festival at the Cain's Ballroom.
Dfest, 2007
Leon Russell at the main stage of Dfest on Saturday, July 28, 2007. JOY LEWIS/TULSA WORLD.
Dfest, 2007
Leon Russell at the main stage of Dfest on Saturday, July 28, 2007. J
Riverwest stage, 2008
Hanson performs with Leon Russell on stage during the QuikTrip 50th anniversary festival at River West Festival Park, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008.
Elton John and Leon Russell in concert
Tulsa music legend Leon Russell during his opening solo set before Elton John at their joint show “The Union” Nov. 11, 2010 at the BOK Center.
BOK, 2010
Tulsa music legend Leon Russell acknowledges the crowd after finishing his first set and making way for Elton John during their joint show "Union" at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Nov. 11, 2010.
Leon Russell at OK POP Museum
The media gathers around music icon Leon Russell after an announcement that a compilation of Russell's archive and memorabilia will be housed at the OK POP Museum at a press conference at The Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa, in Tulsa, OK, Jan. 29, 2013.
Leon Russell annual birthday bash
Leon Russell plays at his 2013 birthday bash at the Brady Theater. Tulsa World file
Hard Rock display
Leon Russell hand written lyrics memorabilia at the Hard Rock Casino's in Tulsa, OK, Feb. 23, 2015. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Hard Rock items Leon Russell lyrics
Leon Russell hand written lyrics memorabilia at the Hard Rock Casino's in Tulsa, OK, Feb. 23, 2015.
Russell Column
Leon Russell (right), Harrod Blank and World Scene Writer Jerry Wofford (left) take part in a Q&A session after a screening of the documentary “A Poem Is a Naked Person” at the Circle Cinema in Tulsa on Wednesday. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Russell Column
Leon Russell takes part in a Q&A after a screening of the documentary “A Poem Is a Naked Person” at the Circle Cinema in 2015. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World file
Russell Column
Jerry Wofford (left), Harrod Blank and Leon Russell (right) take part in a Q&A session after a screening of the documentary "A Poem Is a Naked Person" at the Circle Cinema in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Russell Column
Taylor Hanson (right) was among the audience celebrating Leon Russell at a screening of the documentary “A Poem Is a Naked Person” at the Circle Cinema on Wednesday. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Russell Column
Taylor Hanson (right), Leon Russell and Harrod Blank (left) take part in a Q&A session after a screening of the documentary "A Poem Is a Naked Person" at the Circle Cinema in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday, August 5, 2015. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
SXSW
Tulsa native Leon Russell performs at the Tulsa Boom Factory showcase of Tulsa musicians at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, Thursday, March 17, 2016. JERRY WOFFORD/Tulsa World
SXSW
Tulsa native Leon Russell performs at the Tulsa Boom Factory showcase of Tulsa musicians at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, Thursday, March 17, 2016. JERRY WOFFORD/Tulsa World
SXSW
Leon Russell performs in March 2016 at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. JERRY WOFFORD/Tulsa World
Church Building
Tulsa’s Leon Russell operated a recording studio out of the Church Building in the 1970s. New owners are restoring the historic site. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World file
Leon Russell Road
The famous Church Studio bathed in star light for the unveiling of Lean Russell Road. Kevin Pyle / For The Tulsa World.
Leon Russelll Road
The Leon Russell Road street sign at Third Street and Trenton Avenue. Kevin Pyle / For The Tulsa World.
Leon Russell
Leon Russell’s piano is on stage before his performance at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on Aug. 6, 2015. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World file
Leon Russell
Leon Russell performs at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's The Joint on Aug. 6, 2015. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Leon Russell
Leon Russell performs at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's The Joint on Aug. 6, 2015. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Leon Russell
See Leon Russell on Saturday at the Midnight Fire Music Festival in Depew. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Leon Russell
Leon Russell performs last year at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Leon Russell
Leon Russell performs at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's The Joint on Aug. 6, 2015. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Leon Russell
Leon Russell performs at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's The Joint on June 16, 2016. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Leon Russell
Leon Russell is set to perform Thursday at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Tulsa World file
Leon Russell Memorial
A dedication ceremony for a Leon Russell monument was held in November 2018 Memorial Park Cemetery.
Jimmie Tramel/Tulsa World
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