Elton John And Leon Russell

[BiteUrLip]

I have a question that some more experienced fans could answer.

Why did Elton say that Leon was his "mentor"? I mean, Leon's first commercial record came out as late as 1968. Elton's first came a year later, and already in 1970 Elton released his first hit album, the same year Leon also had his own success.

In my opinion, the mentorship was mutual. Both learned from each other. Why would have Elton learned so much from Leon as Leon had himself only barely released two studio albums?

Same with The Union. Elton said he was "reinvented" as a composer because Leon's influence, but actually to me it looks like Leon's songwriting changed much more than Elton's. Leon's music was quite happy around those days, but both Elton and Leon composed dark tunes for The Union.

[dougs]

BiteUrLip:

I am only guessing here, but Elton was most likely affected by Leon's early albums (1968 and 1970) as you mentioned plus EJ was also probably moved by Leon's contributions on earlier records by the Ronettes and other Phil Spector produced records in the 60s.  Elton soaked up the music scene in those day - something that has never gone away, actually.

You are probably correct that EJ & Leon had mutual respect society for one another.  Leon showed up at Elton's debut concerts at the Troubadour in LA in August 1970.

Elton was most likely thrilled to have Leon support him from the Troubadour onwards.  They did tour on the same bill after the Troubadour shows.  To have an established artist like Leon Russell supporting Elton certainly provided EJ with a legit mentor, for certain.

Yeah, their songs on THE UNION were not exactly bundles of sunshine!

Doug