Leon Russell: The Early Childhood Years

Most of us know about Claude Russell Bridges playing the piano by ear at 4 years old and hitting the honky tonks around Tulsa at 14 – but not a lot is recorded about his formative childhood years. Who was young Claude Russell Bridges? 

I’m always fascinated by the backstories of famous people, trying to piece together how their lives unfolded, the roadblocks they overcame, and what made them so successful.  Did they ever lose sight of their dream, ever waver in their pursuit of it? Were they just at the right place at the right time? Did doors automatically open or did they pry them open with their talent?

Russell’s parents, John Griffith Bridges and Hester Evel Whaley Bridges came from big families and grew up in rural Oklahoma. John had 9 siblings; Hester was one of 7. Despite this, by the 1930s, both had graduated from college and shown considerable skill as pianists. Settling in Apache, Oklahoma, family, church, and community were everything, and they were involved in all the activities small-town life had to offer. John worked for the Apache Farmer’s Union as a clerk and bookkeeper. Hester was a mom to two boys and a leader in local women’s ministry activities.

It was an unseasonably chilly April Fool’s Day, in 1942 when John bundled up Hester for the frantic 22-mile drive to the Southwestern Hospital in Lawton where she would give birth to the future Master of Space and Time.  He was born on April 2, 1942, at 3:10 a.m. and weighed 8.8 lbs. He was named after his mother’s older brother, Russell Claude Whaley. I found it interesting that while big brother Jerry was born August 13, 1934, 13 months after John and Hester were married – Claude Russell Bridges arrived 6 and 1/2 years later.   

 

Photo provided by Southwestern Hospital taken around 1940

Because John and Hester were both pianists, their modest house included an upright piano, which was luxury in those days. Upon hearing Russell play for the first time at age 4, she immediately enrolled him in music lessons at the acclaimed Popejoy School of Music in Anadarko, 19 miles from Apache.  In Oklahoma’s post-war economy in 1946, it was very unusual to drive that far weekly.

Sarah Dora Popejoy, the proprietress of the 1904-founded Popejoy School of Music, had a strong musical background and a “Distinguished” degree from Philadelphia’s Combs Broadstreet Conservatory of Music.  She signed Russell up as a member of the Popejoy Junior Music Club. Russell gave his first public performance, a vocal solo, and a place in the chorus, barely 30 days after he had started attending. By spring, he was performing piano solos at events, festivals, and competitions. At the age of 5, he won an “excellent” rating from the National Federation of Music Clubs for his piano solo at the State Junior Competitive Festival.  In May 1947, he was one of the performers at a Farewell Tea and musical program for the Women’s Society of Christian Service – where his mom was being honored. There were more than fifty people in attendance as he played “Bold Adventure” on the piano. The Bridges family was moving from Apache to Maysville.

Apache Schools didn’t offer a kindergarten class – so Russell started first grade in September 1947 at the age 5 1/2. In Tulsa, he would always be the youngest student in his class.

During Russell’s  3rd – 5th-grade years, the Bridges lived in Maysville, Oklahoma, 63 miles east of Apache. Their yearbooks included elementary classes through High School.

Third Grade: Russell Bridges middle row, 3rd from Left

 

Fourth Grade: Russell top row, third from left

 

Maysville Fifth Grade Russell Bridges front row, 4th from left.

 

Russell broadened his musical horizons by learning to play the baritone horn in his school’s band program, all while still attending piano lessons. Maysville High School band director, Joe Reed, was so impressed by Russell’s 5th-grade ability on the baritone horn that he invited him to join the high school marching band. Hester, ever encouraging, served as president of the Maysville Band Mothers’ Club. Russell’s favorite part, I’m sure, was watching his older brother, Jerry, play center for the Maysville Warriors High School football team.

 

 

On January 15, 1953, Wynnewood Band Director, Robert Young, hosted the Third Annual Golden Trend Band Festival, which Russell attended as a 5th Grader.  Over 325 students participated from 14 different communities. The day began with the solo and ensemble contests and ended with a performance at the High School Auditorium. There were 12 other baritones in addition to Russell.  

When Russell was 11, the Bridges family moved to Tulsa, for John’s position with the Texas Oil Company, which later became Texaco. They bought a six-year-old, 2-bedroom home at 1598 No. Marion Avenue.  

Russell attended Cleveland Jr. High from grades 7-9 and Will Rogers High School from grades 10-12.  He continued his classical piano studies in Tulsa with Margaret Frese, a renowned Tulsa piano instructor. But, at the age of 13, he stopped taking piano lessons. Instead, he concentrated on perfecting his rock and roll style by imitating his musical idols, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley.

It was during Junior High,  Russell met Johnny Williams, Ron Wallace, and Gerald Goodwin in band class. Their friendship grew into a musical partnership, playing at sock hops and events, and, eventually, the band was named Johnny Williams and the Starlighters and lasted through high school.

Russ, as he was sometimes known in high school, had always been a straight-A student, (at least until the lure of the Big Time had him trekking to Los Angeles by Greyhound bus). He was 5′ 9″ tall, enjoyed go-karts, boats, all types of music, music theory, and had perfect pitch. He was shy and a bit aloof (classmates found him unusual with his horn-rimmed glasses, smokes, and slicked-back hair and ducktail).  He was a risk-taker, intensely focused, and left-handed. The picture shows Russell, Janice (Gibson) Carr on Leon’s right, and Sharon Handley playing the Shaw Memorial Organ at Will Rogers High School.

Piano players were in short supply in Tulsa in the 50s, so Russ was in demand with high school bands and professional musicians! At 14, Russell began performing in Tulsa nightclubs with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks and other bands in supper clubs and bars in all parts of Tulsa, often until 5 am. 

David Gates, a year ahead of Russ at Will Rogers, started the band the Accents, which included Russell on piano. On December 10, 1957, David Gates and the Accents released the 45 RPM Single  “Jo-Baby”  with “Lovin’ at Night” on the flip side with Perspective Studios in Tulsa. Marty Robbins in Nashville picked up the single and re-pressed it for national distribution in 1958. Leon was 15 and David Gates was 16. 

 

In his junior year, Russ was a member of the Will Rogers High School Marching Band with his baritone horn. As he started to get traction in his musical career, he spent less and less time in Tulsa at school.

After his graduation on May 27,  1959, Leon looked to TU to further his education.  After days of studying for the entrance exam, he decided to pursue music full-time.   (Senior photo Will Rogers High School Yearbook)

Photo Credit: Richard Risk, 1959 graduate of Will Rogers High School

 

What molded him and his remarkable talent and dedication? Leon was already a prodigy on several instruments before we heard about him at Will Rogers High School. He said in an interview that his disability contributed to the development of his distinctive left-handed playing style.

Little did Claude Russell Bridges know as he set his sights on Los Angeles, what would come next: The Wrecking Crew, sold-out concert performances around the world, the Shindig Show, television appearances, Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour, Concert for Bangladesh, #1 Touring Artist, recording studios and record label owner, friendships, fatherhood, mentorships, multiple Halls of Fame honors, and Grammy Awards.

Leon was credited on over 408 Albums as an arranger, band leader, vocalist, guitar, bass, percussion, xylophone bells, trumpet, horns, piano, keyboards, and 282 songwriting or composing credits, and it all started in the little town of Apache, Oklahoma.

 

 

 

23 Comments

  1. Steve Alabaster on January 10, 2023 at 10:02 am

    Thank you for your research and blog. I also enjoy learning about great talent’s early days who have what some people would just simply call “God given gifts,” ie. Mozart, Beethoven, Elton, Ray and Leon, people who produce tears and emotions when one listens to their artistry, usually over and over again.

    • Nancy Ruth on January 17, 2023 at 7:59 am

      Thanks, Steve! I was so curious about Russell growing up, when he arrived in Tulsa, and what was he like as a boy. I loved talking to Southwestern Hospital – they didn’t realize he was born there! Can you believe it? It was truly amazing to find the pictures of him in Maysville in the 3rd through 5th grades. I know just what you mean – first names bring images to our minds of their music and style!

  2. Nita on January 11, 2023 at 5:58 pm

    Thanks Nancy. Love the elementary school pics. I highly appreciate you.

    • Nancy Ruth on January 17, 2023 at 7:42 am

      You too, Nita – the pictures were such a fun find. I especially loved the band photos.

  3. Joyce Widmer on January 12, 2023 at 10:57 am

    Thank you for posting this. I really enjoyed reading it. Been a fan since ’72.

    • Dale Dermott on January 16, 2023 at 11:54 am

      I was especially pleased to know more about the variety of musical skills that Leon acquired early in life. Bob Dylan asks him to play bass guitar at the Concert for Bangladesh? Sure, no problem.

    • Nancy Ruth on January 17, 2023 at 7:43 am

      Thanks so much, Joyce! It’s so fun to discover new things about someone we’ve followed forever! It was a labor of love.

  4. Scott Jones on January 12, 2023 at 5:45 pm

    Thank you Nancy! This fascinating stuff!

    • Nancy Ruth on January 17, 2023 at 7:44 am

      Thanks, Scott! I’m so glad you liked it!

  5. Linda B on January 14, 2023 at 5:20 pm

    Wow! Some great Leon history. Thank you for your research, great pics and insight into the early life of this humble man. The world is much more beautiful because of Leon. But there is a sad void and hole in the universe without MOSAT.

    • Nancy Ruth on January 17, 2023 at 7:46 am

      Thanks Linda! You are so right, I wish he was here to see how much we appreciate & love him! Hope to meet you at Carney Fest!

  6. Kevin Blackwater on January 14, 2023 at 5:48 pm

    Wow! Great story and research. I thought Leon grew up in Lawton.

    • Nancy Ruth on January 17, 2023 at 7:50 am

      Thanks, Kevin! I grew up in a small town, too – whenever we wanted something special, we had to drive a great distance. I could relate to them heading to Lawton to deliver the baby. Somewhat frantic! My oldest child was born in Springfield Missouri – it was a 75-mile drive while in labor!

  7. Pete Seratte on January 16, 2023 at 9:13 am

    Thank you for this fantastic review of Leon’s life accomplishments,

    • Nancy Ruth on January 17, 2023 at 7:53 am

      Thanks so much, Pete! I really wanted to focus on the time before his career took hold of him. What was he really like as Russell Bridges? Hope to see you at Carney Fest!!

  8. Jim Carlucci on January 16, 2023 at 10:05 am

    Love this! Thank you so much for researching and sharing.

  9. Mary Nell on January 16, 2023 at 12:15 pm

    Thank you so much for all your research on this piece. It was wonderful, informative and insightful. Thank you!

  10. Darlene Burns on January 16, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    Thank you for posting all of this information on Leon.

  11. Nancy Levant on January 17, 2023 at 6:47 am

    Thanks for this collected information. I saw him first in 1972 at age 17 and followed his music ever since as an extraordinary talent and legend.

  12. Carla Ewell Bock on January 18, 2023 at 2:01 pm

    Thank you for all of your research, Nancy….fascinating! I was Will Rogers Class of 57 when Russell Bridges, David Gates, and Anita Bryant were all students there at the same time…..so much talent! Proud of their success!

  13. John C. Bolling on January 18, 2023 at 7:57 pm

    Hope to see you at the Carney.

  14. Steven Osburn on October 16, 2023 at 12:54 am

    Leon lived just north of Pine Street, there on N. Marion. Harvard Lanes Bowling Alley was just around the corner.

    J.J. Cale also lived in North Tulsa. His bedroom was a little house his dad had built in their backyard. I’m guessing they let him have his room out there because he played guitar so much? Not for sure. Just guessing.

  15. sugahmom@gmail.com on May 6, 2024 at 4:41 pm

    Nancy, thank you for your exhaustive research into Leon’s early years. He, as I’m sure most agree, is quite the interesting figure in American music, and in so many genres. I got to know Leon after first meeting him(my Elvis)at Bradley’s Barn in 1973. My cousin, Roy Huskey Jr. introduced us. Roy Jr. was in Roy Acuff’s band, The Smoky Mountain Boys. I lived close to the Huskey’s home in Madison TN. Roy Jr. was 2 years younger than me, and didn’t have a car. He had told me that Leon was in town recording an album, and I asked him if we could go. He said we could, so I picked him up and off we went. I had seen Leon’s live show in Nashville in 1972, and it changed my life forever. I was so nervous to meet my Elvis! Leon was very gracious and asked Roy Jr. if he had his axe with him. Roy Jr’s axe was the upright bass, and he didn’t bring it to the studio that night. I was gobsmacked to see so many country music stars at Bradley’s Barn. It was as though all of Nashville’s most famous loved Leon like I did. The first song I heard Leon sing was “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”. I was overcome with emotion hearing Leon sing a song I loved to sing as loud as I could in my grandparents field while getting the cows in for milking. BJ Thomas had a hit record of the song in the mid 60’s, and I learned every word. As a child, I loved rock and roll music, and felt that I was a bit above country music. Leon changed that in the first verse of Hank William’s song. The scene at Bradley’s Barn was full of laughter and hi jinx. Roy Acuff was chasing Leon around the studio with a pair of scissors trying to cut his hair. George Jones came in and Leon asked him to sing “Take Me” and told the engineers to roll tape. I had heard of George Jones because my parents always had country radio on, but had no idea of the power in his voice that touched my heart so deeply when he sang. Roy Jr. introduced me to Bill Monroe, coaching me to address him as Mr. Monroe, just as he did when introducing me to Mr. Acuff. So it was Mr. Jones when he introduced me to George Jones, who said “awe hon my daddy is Mr. Jones, call me George. I always followed Roy Jr.s lead from then on. I thought Leon would be recording a rock and roll album. After all, he was the biggest rock star there was in 1973. But there he was, holding court, and singing country music with an authenticity that was unquestionable. I think most everyone there was surprised. Roy Jr. told me that Leon was going to release these recordings, and had agreed to appear on The Grand Ole Opry that weekend. Part of me was tickled to death, because I knew I’d be there, backstage, with Roy Jr. and his dad, Junior Huskey, as well as my “Aunt Ruth”. Junior Huskey was my dad’s first cousin, but all of us younguns knew her as our Aunt Ruth. When I thought of Leon releasing a country record, as America’s number 1 rock star, a panic gripped my soul! In 1973, rock and country did not mix at all, except in Nashville recording studios. I was terrified it would ruin his career in rock music. In a way, it did with many of his fans, who were confused by Leon’s left turn into country music, however wonderful it was. I don’t think Leon ever got the credit he deserved for knocking down the wall that was between rock and country. Nobody did rock and roll any better than Leon, and nobody sang and played country music any better than Leon, certainly in my eyes. After getting to know Leon in Nashville in the late 90’s and into the 2000’s, I was at his home recording a record with Rev. Patrick Henderson. Patrick and I had asked Leon and Teddy to join us at Nashville’s renowned Christ Church Choir rehearsal. I’ll never forget walking into that rehearsal with Leon! Many well known singers and musicians were in the Christ Church Choir, and the whispers of “ that’s Leon Russell” swept through the 200 member choir. Landy Gardner came over to me and said “Melissa you didn’t tell me you were bringing Leon with you, and thank you, it’s such an honor to have him. “Will he play with the choir”, Landy asked? I told him to ask Leon. Leon declined, saying he was just there as a spectator, and had always wanted to meet Landy. The CCC was rehearsing one of Patrick’s songs “ I Will Give Thanks” that night, as they were recording the song the next day at the infamous Sound Kitchen. Landy asked Patrick to lead the rehearsal that night, and asked us come to the recording the next day. Leon had to get on the bus for some weekend appearances the next day, but did stop by the Sound Kitchen on his way to meet the bus. He was such an inspiration to the CCC that day, and Leon seemed just as tickled as we were to be there. The CCC recorded a beautiful rendition of Patrick’s song that day, which was released on their newest album. As Leon left the rehearsal the night before, he enthusiastically said “let’s make a record”. We went right to his home studio in Nashville and started the planning for the record. This is where I was able to ask Leon the questions I had long wanted to ask him. I asked him why the biggest arena ticket seller in rock music in 1973 would come to Nashville and make a country record? He said that he and Cale were on their way to Tulsa, and stopped at a truck stop in Arizona. Leon saw they had a large selection of country tapes, and he bought all he could carry. He said they listened to that music until it came time to turn toward Tulsa. He said I told Cale were going to Nashville and make a country album. Leon told me that he liked the early country music that came out before Elvis got famous and that Elvis changed country music. Now Leon loved Elvis, he just preferred the old time country music that was recorded before Elvis’s rockabilly influence, and was afraid if he didn’t pay homage to the old timey country, it would be forgotten. With his vast knowledge of Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Hank Thompson and The Carter Family he felt is was a mission he had to accomplish, regardless of what anyone thought. He told me about Denny Cordell flying to Nashville the minute he heard he was going to be on the Opry, and putting the kabash on that. Denny said it would ruin his career. Leon told him he didn’t give damn, but agreed to cancel the Opry appearance. Leon told me he should have kept that date, and I agreed. Despite the immediate surprise of his fans, he would have been the one to get the credit for bringing country and rock music together. By July of 1973, Leon was the headliner at Willie Nelson’s famous 4th of July picnic. Most of the attendees came to see Leon, but the long haired hippies mixed well with the country fans that had come to see Willie, Waylon, and the other country artists Willie had invited. The genres had a long engagement until they finally married around the The Outlaws. Leon had by then done Jazz, top 40 with Lady Blue and The Wedding Album. I was glad when Leon’s rock star status seemed to wane in the late 70’s, that he and Willie had a hit with “ Heartbreak Hotel” and continued to work together and enjoy their deep friendship, and sincere admiration for one another. Recording with Leon was a turning point in my life. I went on to manage several European Gospel Choirs and Eurovision winners until COVID shut everything down in 2020. I hope the coming year see’s these wonderful and talented artists traveling to America once again.

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