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At Leon Russell’s Memorial Service, Jimmy “Junior” Markham and Larry Shaeffer came up with the idea of presenting “Tribute to Leon Russell” as a one night musical event. Strictly not for profit, it is offered as a musical homage to Tulsa’s most prolific musician.
Shaeffer said “With the possible exception of Bob Wills, no one has done more for Tulsa music than Leon. He was our rock star.”
Markham was with Leon in the beginning, playing dives and parties around Tulsa before Oklahoma even had any liquor laws; so it wasn’t illegal for teenagers to be playing in bars.
Bundle up and enjoy the spirit of the holidays as Tulsa’s favorite holiday celebration returns to the streets of downtown Tulsa this weekend with events for the whole family.
Legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel returned to Tulsa for the first time since 2009, thrilling a receptive audience packed inside the BOK Center. Back then he was touring with Elton John during their highly successful Face 2 Face tour. On this night however, it was all Joel, performing solo here for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Another Tulsa music master has passed. Leon Russell now plays in space and time beyond this world, but he will forever play in our memories. He was loved worldwide for his music and many credit careers to him, but in Tulsa, he loved and was loved as a friend and you can hear it in his musical tribute to Oklahoma which is the best state rock song ever written below.