Remembering Leon Russell At Tulsa Memorial Service

Oklahoma music legend Leon Russell was to be memorialized in a public service Sunday afternoon. The memorial began at 2 p.m. at the Oral Roberts University Mabee Center. Russell died November 13, 2016, at his home in Hermitage Tennessee.

Born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942, in Lawton Oklahoma, Russell grew up in Tulsa where he began to play with local bands. 

In 1960, he moved to Los Angeles to make it in the music business despite being too young to join the musician's union. He developed his craft at many clubs and live shows until he was to join the union.

As a Hollywood session musician, he played on dozens of his records including "Mr. Tambourine Man" by the Byrds, "Help Me Rhonda" by the Beach Boys and "A Taste of Honey" by Herb Alpert. He became an arranger and producer for other recording artists and received several gold records for that work.

Leon Russell Service Live Stream

In 1969, he and a British producer formed Shelter Records and Russell began his career as a solo artist. His style was gospel-based rock and roll with hits like "Tightrope," "Delta Lady" and "Song for You."

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Russell is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jan Bridges; daughters Tina Rose Bridges, Sugaree Taloa Noel Bridges, Honey Bridges, and Coco Bridges; son Teddy Jack Bridges and four grandchildren.

A service was held in Nashville on November 18, 2016. 

According to the Bond Funeral Home, active pallbearers will be Steve Ripley, Noland O'Boyle, Skip Graves, Gianny Muller, Brandon Holder, Beau Charron, Mark Lambert, Jack Wessel and Paul Lee. Honorary pallbearers will be Elton John, John Cowan, Sam Bush, Jim Halsey, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Tommy Lipuma, Bruce Hornsby, Kenneth Constantine, Chad Goodner, Bob Britt, Tom Britt, Matt Harris, Taylor Hanson, Willie Nelson, Bill Austin, Johnny Barbis , Harrod Blank, Chuck Blackwell, Bob Stinson, Steve Todoroff, T. Graham Brown, Jerry Dolezar, Jon Howard , Michael Johnstone, Mike Lawler, Mike Graham, Gailard Sartain, Gary Busey, Junior Markham, Jimmy Karstein, David Teegarden, Tommy Tripplehorn, Bernie Taupin, and Cameron Crowe.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PWNA (Partnership with Native Americans), Music Cares or ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).