Leon Russell March 14, 2007

Leon Russell, "pop music's most anonymous big shot," returns with his five-piece band to Williamsburg on Wednesday, March 14 for a 7:30 p.m. concert. Tickets are $27 for adults, $15 for students with ID and $12 for those under 16. They can be reserved at (757) 259-4070. This is another in the Williamsburg Regional Library's Dewey Decibel Concert Series, held at the Williamsburg Library Theatre, 515 Scotland Street.

Russell played, arranged, wrote and/or produced some of rock and roll's most successful and important records. In his career as a solo artist he's released four gold albums, a number one country record ("Heartbreak Hotel") and two top 40 singles, and had a hand in hundreds of other chart hits.

Born in Oklahoma in 1942, Leon Russell began his musical career as an underage piano player, backing touring musicians when they came to town. The ultimate rock and roll session man, Leon Russell's long and storied career includes collaborations with a Who's Who of music icons including Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina Turner, The Ventures, Bobby Darin, Willy Nelson and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.

Russell's keyboard playing can be heard on such classics as Jan and Dean's "Surf City," Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "The Monster Mash," The Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man," The Rolling Stones' "Live With Me" and The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" album.

As a composer, Leon has co-written songs with other stars like Barbra Streisand and Joe Cocker. In 1976, Russell wrote "This Masquerade," earning a Grammy Award for singer George Benson. "This Masquerade" was the first song in music history to occupy the number one spot on the jazz, pop and R&B charts.

Five decades into his career in the music business, Leon Russell still works with the best in the industry and tours extensively.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of programs.