
DATE: Sunday, May 4, 1997                   TAG: 9705010213

SECTION: CAROLINA COAST          PAGE: 19   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: AFTER DARK 

SOURCE: John Harper 

                                            LENGTH:   71 lines

ROCK LEGEND LEON RUSSELL PERFORMS AT PORT O'CALL

What goes around comes around in pop music. So it was just a matter of time before Leon Russell returned to his roots - and the bar/nightclub circuit.

The legendary singer-songwriter-musician is slated to perform at Port O'Call in Kill Devil Hills on Saturday, May 10.

Call this column: Everything you wanted to know about Leon Russell but were afraid to ask.

Russell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma. As a teen-ager in the mid-1950s, he infiltrated Tulsa nightclubs to play keyboards with Jerry Lee Lewis. At 17, Russell moved to Los Angeles, promptly establishing himself as a competitive studio musician and becoming a key member of producer Phil Spector's ``Wall of Sound'' session brigade.

For most of the '60s, Russell was one of the most sought-after session musicians in Los Angeles. His piano playing can be heard on such pop/rock classics as ``This Diamond Ring,'' ``California Dreaming,'' ``Elusive Butterfly,'' ``The Lonely Bull'' ``Strangers in the Night,'' ``Classical Gas,'' ``You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling'' and ``Mr. Tambourine Man.''

In 1970, Russell released his first solo album. The highly acclaimed but poor selling ``Leon Russell'' album caught the attention of Joe Cocker, who invited the musician to lead the famous ``Mad Dogs and Englishmen'' tour of the early '70s.

Russell also took part in George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh in Madison Square Garden during that era. And Russell continued his session work on records by Glen Campbell, Delaney and Bonnie, The Rolling Stones and Dave Mason.

All of that contributed to the success of the million-selling 1972 release ``Leon Russell and the Shelter People.'' The next album, ``Carney,'' spawned a top 20 hit (``Tight Rope``) and introduced the singer's aching, creaky voice to radio listeners.

Since then, Russell has released a dozen or so fine country/rock/blues albums (including a few with his wife Mary and a recent one with Bruce Hornsby) that showcase his elegant piano playing and the quirky but sincere vocal style. He even released some old-timey country records under the name Hank Wilson.

Russell, who now makes him home in Nashville, also has proved himself a songwriter of the first rank. Among his most memorable compositions are ``Superstar,'' ``A Song For You,'' ``Delta Lady,'' ``Lady Blue,'' and ``This Masquerade.'' Both ``This Masquerade'' and ``A Song For You'' received Grammy awards.

Russell is bringing a band - and his own piano - on the road this month.

A press release for the tour which will land him on the Outer Banks states: ``Russell has never sought accolades. Instead he has opted to follow his uniquely soulful muse. Commitment to music and family has always taken priority over trappings of stardom.''

Forty years after sneaking into those Tulsa nightclubs, Russell is back in bars singing his songs for you. With his long, flowing, white beard, he probably won't need a fake I.D. to get in the door this time. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GLEN HALL

It was just a matter of time before Leon Russell returned to his

roots - and the bar/nightclub circuit. Born in Lawton, Okla., he

infiltrated Tulsa nightclubs as a teen-ager to play keyboards with

Jerry Lee Lewis.

Graphic

HOW TO HEAR HIM

Who: Leon Russell

When: Saturday, May 10, after 10 p.m.

Where: Port O'Call, milepost 8 on the beach road

Tickets: $12 in advance, $14 at the door

Call: 441-7484