Alva Review-Courier -

Leon Russell was an important contributor to Oklahoma’s rich and varied musical tradition. He was an exceptionally talented musician, singer, arranger, and songwriter.

Russell was born Claude Russell Bridges in Lawton on April 2, 1942. His parents moved to Tulsa, however, and he graduated from Will Rogers High School in that city.

One of Russell’s high school classmates was David Gates, who later formed a successful folk-rock group called Bread. Gates wrote and recorded a string of hits including “Baby, I’m-a Want You,” “Make It With You,” and “Guitar Man.”

Gates and Russell formed a band toge...