Returning to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011, our next featured inductee is singer-songwriter and highly sought after session musician Leon Russell.

Russell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, where an injury during childbirth led to minor paralysis on the right side of his body. His piano playing had to favor his left hand, resulting in his distinctive sound. He moved to Los Angeles in the 60s and played with a laundry list of artists way too long to name here. Think of somebody famous and he likely showed up on at least one of their songs.

His own recording career spanned more than three dozen studio and live albums, and while he never had a major hit he did reach the top 20 a couple of times — once with 1972’s ‘Tight Rope,’ which made it to #11, and once with 1975’s ‘Lady Blue,’ which peaked at #14.

Russell was a close friend and frequent collaborator of Elton John. The duo released an album together in 2010 titled The Union which is the only record of his I’ve heard. It’s quite good. John referred to Russell as his “biggest influence as a piano player, a singer, and a songwriter.”

Russell had a heart attack in July of 2016 and died that November at 74.