Leon Russell.

C. R. Bridges Claude Russell Bridges

Born 2 Apr 1942 Lawton, United States

Died 13 Nov 2016 Nashville, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 84 yr If Living

7 min read

Reading time

1,365

Words

Oct 16, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Leon Russell, born Claude Russell Bridges, wrote ‘A Song for You’ in 1970, a track since covered by more than 200 artists. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him on March 14, 2011, alongside Darlene Love and Neil Diamond. Over a 60-year career, he earned six gold records and two Grammy Awards from seven nominations.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of Leon Russell — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Claude Russell Bridges

Native Name C. R. Bridges

Nicknames The Baja Marimba Band

Aliases The Grease Band

Spouses: Janet Lee Constantine Mary McCreary

At a glance.

STATS

Leon Russell by the numbers — life, work, and family.

74 Years lived

2 Awards

2 Marriages

Who was Leon Russell?

BIOGRAPHY

Leon Russell — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Claude Russell Bridges was born on April 2, 1942 in Lawton, Oklahoma, and raised in Tulsa. He attended Will Rogers High School, where he started playing piano. The Tulsa sound, a blend of rock, country, and blues, shaped his early musical style.

Career

Russell’s debut album Leon Russell, released in 1970, featured Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. His song A Song for You became a standard, with over 200 cover versions. He produced and played on sessions for Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike and Tina Turner, and the Rolling Stones. Films he acted in include Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 1993 and The Kids Are All Right 2010. He performed on TV shows such as Saturday Night Live 1975 and The Concert for Bangladesh 1972.

Personal life

Russell married Mary McCreary on June 20, 1975; they divorced on October 3, 1980. He then married Janet Lee Constantine on February 6, 1983, and remained with her until his death. He had six children: daughter Blueagle born February 20, 1972 with Carla McHenry; Tina Rose and Teddy Jack with McCreary; and Sugaree Noel b. October 9, 1982, Coco b. January 19, 1986, and Honey b. April 29, 1990 with Constantine. A heart attack in July 2016 preceded his death from natural causes on November 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Legacy

Elton John frequently cited Russell as a major influence. His 1970 track A Song for You has been recorded by over 200 artists, including Whitney Houston and Willie Nelson. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 2011, and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame also honored him. His recordings earned six gold records and two Grammy Awards. He is most remembered for his songwriting and session work that helped shape the sound of 1970s rock and roll.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 2

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Leon Russell — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

Did you know?

FACTS · 10

Little-known facts about Leon Russell — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011 alongside Darlene Love, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, and Dr. John.
Elton John frequently cited him as a major influence.
He is mentioned in the song Life Is a Rock But the Radio Rolled Me by Reunion.
He had six children: Blueagle born February 20, 1972 with Carla McHenry, Tina Rose and Teddy Jack with Mary McCreary, and Sugaree Noel b. October 9, 1982, Coco b. January 19, 1986, and Honey b. April 29, 1990 with Janet Lee Constantine.
His 1970 track A Song for You has been covered by more than 200 artists.
He had surgery in 2010 and suffered a heart attack in July 2016.
His recordings earned six gold records and he received two Grammy Awards from seven nominations.
He was an American musician and songwriter involved in bestselling records across rock, country, gospel, bluegrass, R&B, southern rock, blues rock, folk, surf, and the Tulsa sound during his 60-year career.
On his debut album Leon Russell in 1970, the musicians included Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison.
Russell produced and played in recording sessions for Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ike and Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, and many other artists.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 31

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Leon Russell.

When was Leon Russell born?

Leon Russell was born on April 2, 1942. He was born Claude Russell Bridges in Lawton, Oklahoma.
Where was Leon Russell born?

He was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, USA. He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
When did Leon Russell die?

Leon Russell died on November 13, 2016. He passed away in Nashville, Tennessee.
How old was Leon Russell when he died?

He was 74 years old at the time of his death. He was born in 1942 and died in 2016.
Where did Leon Russell die?

He died in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. His death was due to natural causes.
How did Leon Russell die?

He died of natural causes. He had suffered a heart attack earlier in July 2016.
What was Leon Russell's real name?

His real name was Claude Russell Bridges. He performed under the stage name Leon Russell.
What does the name 'C. R. Bridges' refer to?

C. R. Bridges is his native name, an abbreviation of Claude Russell Bridges. It is occasionally used in professional contexts.
What was Leon Russell's occupation?

He was a musician, actor, and producer. He worked as a music crew member on various projects.
What nationality was Leon Russell?

He was American. He held citizenship in the United States.
What language did Leon Russell speak?

His native language was English. He was born and raised in the United States.
Who was Leon Russell married to?

He was married to Janet Lee Constantine from February 6, 1983 until his death. He was also married to Mary McCreary from June 20, 1975 to October 3, 1980.
Where did Leon Russell go to school?

He attended Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was there he began playing piano.
What awards did Leon Russell win?

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011. He also was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
How many awards did Leon Russell win?

He received two major awards: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. He also won two Grammy Awards from seven nominations.
What is Leon Russell best known for?

He is best known for his 1970 song A Song for You and for his appearances on TV shows like Saturday Night Live, Late Night with David Letterman, and Austin City Limits. He also acted in films like Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.
How tall was Leon Russell?

Leon Russell was 5 feet 9 inches tall, or 1.75 meters. His height was often noted in his career.
What is the meaning of the nickname 'The Baja Marimba Band'?

The Baja Marimba Band was a nickname for Leon Russell. It refers to a musical group style, but he used it as a moniker in his early career.
Why was Leon Russell called 'The Grease Band'?

The Grease Band was an alias used by Leon Russell. It likely originated from his session work and the soulful, greasy style of his music.
Did Leon Russell have children?

Yes, he had six children: Blueagle born 1972, Tina Rose, Teddy Jack, Sugaree Noel b. 1982, Coco b. 1986, and Honey b. 1990. Their mothers include Carla McHenry, Mary McCreary, and Janet Lee Constantine.
What is the significance of 'A Song for You'?

A Song for You was a 1970 track by Leon Russell that has been covered by over 200 artists. It is considered a classic standard and showcases his songwriting talent.
Which musicians played on Leon Russell's debut album?

His debut album Leon Russell 1970 featured Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. It helped launch his solo career.
Did Leon Russell win any Grammy Awards?

Yes, he received two Grammy Awards from seven nominations. His recordings earned six gold records.
What was Leon Russell's role in 'The Concert for Bangladesh'?

He performed as a musical guest at The Concert for Bangladesh in 1972. The concert was organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar.
Did Leon Russell work with Elton John?

Indirectly, as Elton John cited Russell as a major influence. They never collaborated on record, but Russell’s style impacted John’s music.
What films did Leon Russell act in?

He appeared in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 1993, The Kids Are All Right 2010, Ghost Rider 2007, and Son of Dracula 1974 among others.
What was Leon Russell's contribution to soul music?

He was a key session player and producer for soul and R&B artists like Ike and Tina Turner. His own music blended rock, country, and soul.
How many gold records did Leon Russell earn?

His recordings earned six gold records. This includes albums and singles that sold over 500,000 copies each.
What is the Tulsa sound?

The Tulsa sound is a blend of rock, country, blues, and gospel. Leon Russell was a prominent exponent of this style.
Did Leon Russell collaborate with Bob Dylan?

Yes, Russell produced and played on recording sessions for Bob Dylan. He did similar work for Frank Sinatra and the Rolling Stones.
Was Leon Russell inducted into any halls of fame?

Yes, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2011 and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. He was also nominated for other honors.

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Published on October 16, 2026

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