Leon Russell 2014 extended interview

[@reneestandley1853]

I will love Leon Russell forever. A brilliant musician, songwriter and singer.

[@fredjonas]

And don't forget what a terrific music/artistic director he was. In this interview, he mentions that 90% of his songs were recorded in one take. Mad Dogs and Englishmen would not have happened without him. I doubt Harrison's Bangladesh concert would, either.

[@michaelferreri1256]

Very good interview. Leon Russell is such an extraordinary talent. And I could have listened to him talk for days.

[@kevinmckenney7190]

This young man deserves credit for conducting a very good interview...one for the national archives.

[@daveshawaii]

Mahalo Kevin. God bless bro.

[@helenkotowske3829]

That's true. Very good questions. No stupid questions. When you get someone talking you know you done a good interview.

[@sharonlinhares3058]

God I loved Leon! I was delighted by the stories of him in the early r&r days. He came to LA when he was 14 and was a session player. When a producer/arranger needed some extra-special element, the call would go out: “Somebody get over to that motel and wake Leon up”. He played back to back endless sessions. It’s great to hear him talk.

[@iantheorem]

It’s fascinating to listen to him. As an artist on stage and listening to his records he seemed so mysterious and far removed from the media, as in you don’t hear him much other than what he sings. He’s very well spoken, articulate and very down to Earth. He is loved and missed dearly. Thank you for all you’ve done for music Leon.

[@mitchgawlik1175]

Please realize that this is not a put down of the great Leon Russell, but sometimes it's simply heartbreaking to see your faves age. Leon's music was accessible to so many yet he had this mystique going on. Leon Russell was one whose star never should have faded.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

I'm 69 now and so many of my heroes and friends have passed I find it sad that Leon is a forgotten genius. But he had his day in the sun ☮️

[@maryhanson8201]

I was blessed to see him in San Rafael Ca..and his son played a guard with beads percussion instrument and sang with him !! They were fantastic Wish there was videos 😢 Then saw him same night at Tommy Castros concert up the road . He was loving Castros band !*

[@roxannehale1386]

Yep. One take is enough for Leon. Its raw and passionate. What a talent! So humble.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

I was listening to a interview with Leon where he was talking about George Harrison doing 25 takes on a song George asked Leon which one he thought was best Leon said the first one ☮️

[@roxannehale1386]

I've been in love with Leon for 50 +/- years. This interview is such a great window into who he was and his remarkable life. Thank you. Interesting how he felt enfluenced, and went on to influence so many. Made millions for so many who recorded his songs. The church studio series is amazing.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

I'm 69 now and been a fan since a teenager ☮️

[@jettsoma]

@@juniorjohnson5961 Me too! Same age as you. My friend and I would say “Leon Hunny!” I saw him with Mad Dogs etc. and could take my eyes off of him!

[@juniorjohnson5961]

@@jettsoma 🙏

[@williamharrison2456]

One of my favorite interviews with Leon! I never get tired of Leon speaking, he’s just great🎩🎹🌹🌅❣️

[@helenkotowske3829]

Yes, excellent interview.

[@judyjohnson7574]

What a warm, friendly, comfortable man Leon Russell is! Could listen to him talk all night.

[@Duffy104]

So enjoyed listening to Leon Russell reminiscing. Such an honorable man. God bless you Leon.

[@3340steve]

Russell was a deep player and composer. His experience as a session musician was legendary.

[@ariellyn7253]

So good to hear him talking, laughing, and most of all I love his dry wit which he manages to insert at the most opportune times.. Love you, miss you, miss you tomorrow.

[@chlynn13b92]

Yes, I loves his dry sense of humor and perfect timing.. A really unique talent..

[@BurtonBoyz715]

I've heard a lot of Leon Interviews...I've never heard any of this. This was Fantastic...Glad it's captured...for all time. Because of his passing....I'm trying to review much of his stuff..all bitter sweet really.

[@jettsoma]

What a great interview! Probably the best I’ve heard from Leon so far. By so far, I mean I’m still looking for some interviews he’s done. Lol!

[@sandydemartini2479]

Great interview. Leon was brilliant.

[@shaneconnors757]

What a Wonderful Man....GREAT INTERVIEW.....Thanks Dave...WELL DONE

[@dmp142x]

great interview by both the interviewer and interviewee

[@saggacc]

i am so glad you got this interview, eases the grief right now. rock on Leon!

[@meredithpond]

on this Summer Solstice day 2017, I am grateful to find this interview with the great musician and wonderful human, Leon Russell. I have learned a lot from his songs, especially how I can love my dearest friends "from a place where there's no place and time." An amazing soul.

[@carrrexx7190]

Leon is a real show stopper on the Concert for Bangladesh.

[@georgewest9998]

I love this man.he is so down to earth and he didn't receive the credit he so rightly deserved. How could the rock and roll hall of Fame long ago rip legend. !

[@acaraway4631]

Love it keep Leon's Music A Live. RIP Leon RIP peace

[@ReverendTFunk]

Wow. Great interview. Good questions and great spontaneous interaction. One of the best jobs of coaxing details of the story out of Leon.

[@TJTAMPA2000]

Wow, Dave - lucky you & lucky us. Thank you! Love you Leon 💜 Russell . RIP

[@zabellehuss737]

I'm seeing him in December and I can barely wait... There's really no musician I like better than Leon, and I had no idea how warm and fun and kind he was until this interview. Thanks.

[@maryanngahagan1807]

Sorry you didn't get to see him......

[@zabellehuss737]

@@maryanngahagan1807 thanks so much. You know, I actually physically cried a few times!? Man...so sad.

[@chlynn13b92]

@@zabellehuss737 I don't blame you. I cried when he passed on. Love him.

[@rylieriley]

What a thoughtful and extremely intelligent man. And excellent questions, as well. This was an outstanding interview.

[@TattooedBlues]

This is a fantastic interview! Great approach bro! This is golden!

[@jordsupp]

What a brilliant interview - so many wonderful insights. Thankyou for uploading.

[@daveshawaii]

You're welcome. Grateful to have done that one.

[@tdclark235]

I first heard him on the second Asylum Choir album and he had me from "Have you heard, The daily news, Mr. Goody-Good Gum Shoes." I had been playing piano for fifteen years, and he was the one who showed me what can be done with a piano and voice. Great interview. He was relaxed and open for a change. Good job. I'll miss him a lot, but I have his music to console me. I'll "Remember when we were together, And I was singing This Song for you."

[@Barb2700]

God Bless You, Terry! I love hearing about other fans and their unique takes on the Master! Thanks for sharing!

[@smartypantznumber2840]

THIS LEON WAS FRIENDS WITH MORE FAMOUSE MUSICIANS THAN ANYONE IN HISTORY..

[@SEOTeamBerlin]

Dave I very much appreciate you did and posted this interview here - had never heard of you til now as I live in Switzerland ^^ - Leons work and music have accompanied me ever since my teenie times, he gave such wonderful music to mankind, it made me quite sad when I heard of his death :-( - may Leon rest in peace and live on thru his music :-) sunny greetings from Carlos in Switzerland to the other side of the planet ^^

[@daveshawaii]

Carlos Luíz Thanks brother. Always was curioud about Switzerland so it is great to know my work is appreciated there. Thank you very much.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

As Leon said to Elton at his induction to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame ... God Bless You ☮️

[@zabellehuss737]

Leon died four months before I finally saw him......not sure I'll ever get over it.

[@carrrexx7190]

❤leon. my first concert in 19 and 71.

[@monatoney3474]

GOD I MISS HIM💔💔💔💔💔

[@robin2012ism]

haha, good interview. Congrats Dave.

[@sarahostrinsky4595]

Thank you!

[@bettyslocum1527]

Great interview! 🤩🎹🎩🎼

[@hank1519]

Two incredibly sensitive guys! Wonderful interview!

[@daveshawaii]

Mahalo Hank. High fives brother.

[@mikemcgrath3484]

Was very good friends with Chris's etherdge who would take me up to Leon's some of the best of the time I got to play many gigs with Chris's and others wharf a privilege. Thsnkyou chriss

[@soldtobediers]

14:40 ''You don't know who you are until you have read what you have written.'' ~Bill Wittliff Lonesome Dove Screenwriter

[@hank1519]

Dave, what station can I hear you on?

[@daveshawaii]

Hawaii Public Radio hosting All Things Considered.

[@hank1519]

@@daveshawaii Thanks! I'm a big fan of NPR on WNYC here in NYC.

[@alicezazulak2492]

Who is the Tommy (producer) that Leon referred to?

[@judyjohnson7574]

Tommy LiPuma

[@johnbock1896]

Tommy produced Dave Mason "Alone Together"which Leon is also on

[@rosskstar]

How to Write Hits for Dummies? Anyone know the book he was talking about? Funny a pro like him would take a tip from a self-help book. Then everyone he mentioned to dismissively blew it off....then started doing it. heh

[@rosskstar]

You can't be the performer and the audience at the same time. Write for 2 hours every day but don't look at it again for 2 weeks then you can change it into song form.

[@cotytaylor8517]

I’m curious about which book this is too.

[@monatoney3474]

People don't realize HOW much MUSIC this GREAT MAN wrote and NEVER took credit FOR ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🐯❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@stalkingwolf1954]

Funny Leon never speaks of Joe Cocker (except negative) but Joe always spoke highly of Leon,hmm?

[@chlynn13b92]

stalkingwolf1954 I've never heard Leon say anything negative about Joe but there are reasons why there was friction there. You would have to know the whole story to understand.

[@meep2576]

Chlynn13 B now I want to know the story

[@mitchgawlik1175]

@@meep2576 I'm with you!

[@James_Bowie]

@stalkingwolf: Where did get that idea? The Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour was forced onto Joe by his dopey manager (the thug Dee Anthony) when he was already dead on his feet from a just-finished tour of the UK. The whole thing had to be put together in no time flat (8 days), so someone thought of Leon and he, of course, from his long experience as a session musician, knew dozens of musicians and arranged the band in no time flat, as needed. Now, when you have that many musicians on the stage someone has to take the lead and Leon did it -- Joe was in no condition, physically or mentally, to do that. One problem was that Joe, who is naturally quite shy, didn't know the majority of the band members (and the legions of hangers on) so he felt pretty much an outsider on his own tour. When Rita Coolidge told Joe that she'd had enough and wanted to leave the circus and return to a normal life, Joe said to her "Please don't love. You're the only friend I have here." As Rita has said in various interviews, by the end of the tour everyone was tired and exhausted and tempers began to fray. At at the end of the tour Joe discovered that there was no money left because the spending on booze, food and hotels had been way out of control, and the no money left situation precipitated a lot of finger pointing.