Musician Leon Russell, was born Claude Russell, April 2, of 1942 in Lawton Oklahoma. Leon began playing the piano at age 14 and started performing right out of high school.

Claude took the name Leon, from a fake ID that he was loaned so that he could get into night clubs underage and perform.

Leon moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and began work as a session musician. Russell worked with many top acts including, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Beach Boys and many others.

Russell performed country music in the 1970s and 1980s as Hank Wilson, but then faded into obscurity. Russell re-emerged in 2010 to work on an album with Elton John called "The Union". Leon's career soon rebounded, and he was putting out his own new albums.

Russell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 14, 2011. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June of 2011. Leon is credited with writing over 430 songs and recording 33 albums in his career.

Leon died at his home in Nashville TN November 13, 2016. He had suffered heart problems including a heart attack and bypass surgery just months before his death.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org