It’s 20 years late, but this week Tulsa’s own Leon Russell was finally inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  Politics and back door deals are part of these things.

Percy Sledge had one hit and he’s in. Al Kooper was involved with many hit-makers and he isn’t. Leon was inducted in what used to be called the ‘Sideman’ category, though he’s been that, producer, arranger, conductor, Grammy-winning songwriter, rock star in his own right, and #1 concert draw.

There are only a couple of people who have played on as many hit records as Leon Russell. The first was The Ventures’ version of Telstar. He played piano on Herb Alpert’s biggest album, Whipped Cream which contained the huge hit A Taste Of Honey. He has played on top ten hits by The Crystals, Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys, Garry Lewis & The Playboys, The Byrds, Delaney & Bonnie, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson and countless others.

In fact when he met Willie, they were listening to Willie’s first album and Leon asked “Who’s on piano? The guy is stealing all my licks.” It turns out Leon had played on it without ever meeting Willie.

Leon worked for Jack Nitzche, Herb Alpert and Phil Spector as a session man and arranger, thereby learning how to produce records.

Alpert said “Leon would show up in a suit and tie, maybe looking perplexed – ‘I don’t know what to do.’ I gave him complete freedom; ‘If you think of something that fits, put it in’. Leon has this great groove.  He’s in his own time zone.  He’d play a simple accent and then the band just filled in around him.  He’s one of America’s greatest musicians.”

His early productions were Jan & Dean and Garry Lewis. Marc Benno, whom he also first produced, said that “Leon played everything on “This Diamond Ring” – he knew how to assemble all the parts to make a pop hit.” Benno goaded a reluctant Russell into “Doing something you want to do.” And they became Asylum Choir.

Shortly after that, the studio legend moved into the spotlight with Delaney & Bonnie, then Mad Dogs & Englishmen, which contained many of the same people and the future Dominoes. He recorded part of his first album in England and the stars were clamoring to play with him. Chris O’Dell asked George Harrison if Ringo might do a Leon session. He said he’d ask, “If I can play too.”

“Roll Away The Stone” is one of the rockingest songs ever.  The band on that track is Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger,  Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood.  How’s that for credentials?

Sadly, the general public didn’t know this for years because Leon couldn’t credit them .

“At the height of my popularity I was tired and took a couple of years off.  When I came back, it wasn’t there.”  Asked why he isn’t better known he replied “I just didn’t pursue that.  I’m not drawn to television and the press.”  This is why Benno calls him “The Howard Hughes of rock.”

In 1973, Leon was back in Tulsa and built three state-of-the-art studios; one at his home in Maple Ridge, one on Grand Lake, and the famous Church Studio. Shelter records produced Tom Petty, Dwight Twilley, Willis Ramsey, Phoebe Snow, J.J. Cale and Freddy King.

Two years ago Elton John was listening to Leon’s Greatest Hits and started to cry, because Leon was so under-appreciated.  Elton was petrified in 1970 at The Troubador when he saw ‘his hero’ sitting in the front. “No one plays piano like him, and he writes these beautiful melodies.  The Ballad Of Mad Dogs & Englishmen is as good as anything ever written.”  Leon’s songs have been covered by literally hundreds of artists.  “The last few years, he’s been driving the bus, playing small gigs and putting food on the table.” said John.

So Elton and Leon have a new album out; “The Union”, produced by T-Bone Burnett.  Leon even wrote a song for Elton. When they finished, Leon said “Thank you for saving my life.” His wife added “You got to him just in time.” It moved Elton to tears again. “In my whole life, it was the most moving thing I’ve ever experienced. He needs to be in the Hall Of Fame; we’ll see if that happens.” Echoing Alpert: “He’s one of America’s greatest musicians.”

To support the induction of Leon Russell into The Rock And Roll hall Of Fame, click here.

For more and, as some suggest, ALL Things Leon, click here.

Beginning Saturday April 3, Tulsa Today publisher David Arnett will host a live radio talk show on AM 740 and FM 102.3 KRMG news talk radio.  The two hour show will air once a week and focus on local and state issues with guest interviews and listener calls featured.

Following Rush Limbaugh’s Week in Review, the David Arnett Show will air on Tulsa’s top news, weather, and traffic station each Saturday from 4 to 6 pm.

Arnett said, “This is a very different adventure from that of a writer.  In print and online since 1985 I have covered issues as a journalist and editorialist.  In that work; the personal pronoun is avoided, rewrites and edits are standard, and a great deal more time in consideration of serious issues allowed.  Radio is live.  Topics can be prepared in advance, but where this show may go is anyone’s guess.

“I am greatly honored to follow Rush Limbaugh and to host a show on the most influential talk station in Northeastern Oklahoma.  The talent of Rush and Joe Kelly, Neal Boortz, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage and others is remarkable.  Each has their own style and issues of particular concern, but all love America and agitate for a brighter future for all citizens.  On the David Arnett Show, we will do the same.”

Arnett said, “Tip O’Neill — long serving Speaker of the U.S. House — once declared, ‘All politics is local,’ but if that is true then how much more is all media local?

“I believe problems of government and society can be solved from the ground up with individual commitments, family discussions, and community debate that then filter up to Washington.  Given the current challenges, the immediacy of war and financial crisis Americans must speed that process up.  God knows, the election of President Barack Hussein Obama and overwhelming Democrat control of Congress is moving us at ‘warp speed’ to some undefined if not bizarre collective nanny state , but issues on the local level are just as threatening to the principles of individual freedom and liberty.

“After twenty-five years as a working reporter in the heartland of America, I still have more questions than answers and on KRMG we will engage in broad debate, ask questions and seek solutions.

“For example, I want to know why it is not double jeopardy against citizens for public employees to be unionized.  A public union negotiates with elected public officials, but they are, at best, mid-management – the taxpayer is the boss and pays the bills.

“Functionally, this is like a manager giving everyone a raise while the owner is away on vacation.  When the boss gets back, he can fire the manager, but to pull back the raise would seriously offend the workforce.  Should the public not vote on a public union’s contract?  Are we not the boss of them!

“Any involuntary taking by tax, fee, permit, or regulation by government is plunder by force of law upon its people.  While some tax is the price paid for accomplishment impossible individually, government does not create wealth.  It only consumes the wealth of the governed – like a hideous all-consuming tumor when unrestricted,” Arnett added.

“In Tulsa we have development issues, budget issues, corruption issues, and questionable competency in public office.  This could be a great deal of fun.”

Arnett’s work will continue to be featured on Tulsa Today.

Republican Dana Murphy took Democrat Jim Roth out of his Corporation Commission seat in Tuesday’s voting in an upset over the favored Brad Henry appointee whom most polls had shown leading the race by substantial margins.

With almost all precincts reporting, Murphy had a 52-48 percent lead that grew during the night as rural counties reported vote totals. Murphy’s lead in the race developed with about a sixth of the precincts reporting. It grew slowly and with almost all precincts reporting, stood at about 61,000 votes.

Most observers expected Roth to carry Tulsa County while Murphy would carry Oklahoma County. It turned out just the opposite; Roth carried Oklahoma County, which he previously served as a county commissioner, 143,000 to 128,302 votes. In Tulsa County, however, Murphy won 105,608 to 93,600 for Roth.

Republican Corporation Commission candidate Dana Murphy responded to mudslinging by her opponent Jim Roth today by questioning Roth’s ethics and his alliance with Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy Corp.

Murphy said that Roth’s attempt to smear her name with accusations from a 15 year old divorce is nothing but “good ole’ boy politics at its worst.” That accusation came in a Roth television commercial this week.

Murphy says the smear “is being done with hundreds of thousands dollars of campaign contributions from his special interest friends inside and outside the state.

“As a career bureaucrat, he has relied on his powerful, special interest friends to get where he is today,” said Murphy. “He’s panicked because he won’t be able to deliver more favors for powerful friends if he is not elected to the job that was given to him.

Here is the text of Murphy’s prepared opening statement for today’s news conference:

Jim Roth is a desperate, frightened man. As almost half of Oklahomans know, divorce is an ugly, horrible thing and sadly, it brings out the absolute worst in people. My opponent is bringing up allegations against me from a 15 year old divorce case because he cannot match my qualifications for this job.

Let’s set the record straight once and for all. I have never been charged with or convicted of forgery or any other crime. Period.

These last minute smear tactics are reminiscent of the schoolyard bully ambushing kids on the playground.

The people of Oklahoma deserve better.

This smear campaign is costing big bucks.

The real question here is where are the hundreds of thousands of dollars coming from that are being used to smear me? From campaign contributions by powerful special interest groups outside and inside the State who want their lapdog at the Commission looking out for their interests, not the interests of all Oklahomans.

Roth has proven to be that lap dog.

Roth is panicked because this is the best job that he has ever had. He has no place else to go. When he loses this election, it will only be a matter of time before he has a job with one of those special interest groups contributing the big bucks to support his campaign.

It is not a coincidence that Jim Roth has as his campaign chair, a man who received amazing benefits as a result of his contributions.

First, the Red Rock Power Plant decision. That was a done deal as soon as Roth was appointed to the OCC.

Second, when a tree farm (owned by Aubrey McClendon in Arcadia) needed a road and a bridge, it was Roth who made sure it was paid for by taxpayers.

The list of favors for special interests goes on and on.

I have the education, the experience and the qualifications earned during a 15-year career in the oil and gas industry and almost six years as a Law Judge at the Corporation Commission. I have forgotten more about the oil and gas industry than he will ever know and Jim Roth knows it. His special interest supporters know it too and they are scared to death.

My only special interest group is everyday Oklahomans who need a watchdog on the Commission, not a lapdog.

There are 12 days left in this election, I have run a clean campaign focused on the issues and my qualifications for office.

I see no reason to change that strategy.

If Mr. Roth wants to run a dirty campaign, wallow in the mud and sling it – that’s his choice.

Mr. Roth’s mudslinging has given Oklahomans a clear-cut choice as to who they want for Corporation Commissioner.

They can have someone like him, a mudslinging bureaucratic lapdog or they can have me, someone who shares their conservative Oklahoma values and has the experience and qualifications to do the best job for all Oklahomans at the Corporation Commission.”