A decisive figure in the development of white soul music was Leon Russell, an Oklahoma native and a veteran session-man who had learned the trade playing piano for rockers such as Ronnie Hawkins and Jerry Lee Lewis and (after relocating to Los Angeles in 1958) in Phil Spector's many "wall of sound" hits (including the early Byrds). Russell's first singles were two wild rock and roll numbers: Swanee River (Chess, 1959) and All Right (Chess, 1959)

Russell's claim to fame is a mixture of composer/arranger of bluesy albums for friends and of author of albums that mix all the styles he learn as a youth, from rockabilly to gospel to blues to jazz.

His first success (in the former mode) came with country-soul singer Gary Lewis, whose string of best-sellers began with Al Kooper's This Diamond Ring (1965).

Russell debuted with a collaboration with singer songwriter Marc Benno, Look Inside The Asylum Choir (Smash, 1968), an album that displayed his eclectic stew of musical styles, but focused around his frantic boogie piano and emotional gospel arias. Their second album, Asylum Choir II (Dunhill, 1969), was not released until 1971, despite gems such as Hello Little Friend.

While his solo career languished, Russell helped Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett launch theirs with Accept No Substitute (Elektra, 1969), an album in Russell's own gospel-country-blues style.

In the meantime, Russell had become musical director for the career of sensational english vocalist Joe Cocker (a raspier, grittier Ray Charles), who had become a staple of the pub scene with his Grease Band and will pursue a career made mainly of covers. Russell architected Joe Cocker (A&M, 1969), which would remain his best album, and Mad Dogs & Englishmen (A&M, 1970), which turned him into a star, before alcoholism ruined him. Cocker, finally detoxed, will end his career as a romantic balladeer (You Are So Beautiful, 1975, Up Where We Belong, 1982).

When he finally returned with a solo album, Leon Russell (Shelter, 1970), the Oklahoma piano marvel could leverage a stellar cast (Stevie Winwood, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman) and a strong set of songs: Delta Lady, Dixie Lullaby, Hummingbird, A Song For You, Shoot Out At The Plantation.

And The Shelter People (Shelter, 1971) was just a tad less effective, although it included more gems like Alcatraz, Stranger In A Strange Land, Home Sweet Oklahoma, Stranger In A Strange Land. At about the same time, Russell wrote the hit Superstar (1971) for the Carpenters.

Carney (Shelter, 1972) contains two of his most famous compositions, Tight Rope and This Masquerade, but these catchy ditties pale when compared with compositions that are more typical of his style: Manhattan Island Serenade and Cajun Love Song.

Somehow, that album marked the end of his golden era. Russell turned to a more soulful, tender, contemplative, jazzier sound on Stop All That Jazz (Shelter, 1974) and Wil O' The Wisp (Shelter, 1975), and mainly helped his wife Mary McCreary's career.

Two collaborations with outlaw country legend Willie Nelson and an album of bluegrass, New Grass Revival (Warner, 1981), signaled a complete change of direction.

Russell returned with Anything Can Happen (Virgin, 1992), an album that is strongly influenced by his new mentor, pop star Bruce Hornsby.

Joe Cocker died in december 2014. Leon Russell died in november 2016.