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Russell Bridges


 

Leon Russell | Frazer Harrison; Getty Images; NPR | tc577

Russell Bridges is understood to be the singer, musician and songwriter Leon Russell, who is known to have used that name as one of his alternative names. Leon Russell was born Claude Russell Bridges in Lawton, Oklahoma on April 2, 1942. He was born with cerebral palsy.

Leon Russell died in his sleep in Mount Juliet, Tennessee on November 13, 2016, age 74, after heart surgery, and after a career spanning more than sixty years, in which he recorded 33 albums and 430 songs, and in a wide variety of styles and genres. He can be heard playing piano as a member of the "Wrecking Crew" on many 1960s recordings including The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. He is also credited in the sleeve notes of the famous Phil Spector "Christmas Gift For You" Album.

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