LEON RUSSELL DIES AGED 74

Leon Russell, american musician and songwriter has died at the age of 74.

Leon, who is best known for the songs "Shine a Light" and "A Song for You" died in Nashville on Sunday.

“His wife said that he passed away in his sleep,” a statement posted on Russell’s website read.

Russell was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2011.

He played with artists as varied as George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jan & Dean, Gary Lewis, Gram Parsons, Delaney Bramlett, Doris Day, Elton John, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, the Byrds, Barbra Streisand, the Beach Boys, the Ventures, Willie Nelson, Badfinger, Tijuana Brass, Frank Sinatra, the Band, Bob Dylan, J.J. Cale, B.B. King, Dave Mason, Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker and the Rolling Stones.

Russell played as a member of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends band in In 1969 and 1970, playing guitar and keyboards on their albums and as part of the touring band. Working with Delaney & Bonnie, Russell met George Harrison and others with whom he would work over the next couple of years.

George, Bob Dylan and Leon Russell, Concert for Bangla Desh

At the invitation of former Delaney & Bonnie and George Harrison, Russell played piano on Badfinger's third album, Straight Up in the summer of 1971. The piano part complemented Pete Ham and George Harrison's dual slide guitars on Badfinger's "Day After Day". The Straight Up sessions were interrupted when many of the musicians left for New York City to participate in the Concert For Bangladesh, at which Russell performed a medley of the songs "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Young Blood" and sang a verse on Harrison's "Beware of Darkness."Russell (on bass guitar and vocals) and Harrison (on electric guitar and vocals) also backed up Bob Dylan's set.

Leon Russell at The Concert for Bangla Desh, 1971

Leon extended a nationwide concert tour to enthusiastic crowds from 2016 and scheduled into 2017.