Leon Russell Captured On A Wall in Tulsa

Posted on November 2, 2026 by Enchanted Seashells

This is a cool story…

According to the artist, jeks, “This year I painted over an old Leon Russell mural that I painted a long time ago with a new Leon Russell mural in Tulsa, OK and it almost caused a riot. This is the new one. Riot averted.”

This was the original Leon wall art:

It seemed as if every single Leon fan thought the previous mural was being destroyed, and immediately began to text, email, and call in protest. It turned out that the original artist was merely updating it…WHEW!

I’m not sure that anyone else has been able to capture his beauty and expressive eyes as masterfully as Brian Lewis (jeks) has done.

Here’s the newly painted version. Check out Leon’s EYES.

If I’m ever lucky enough to get to Tulsa, I’m going to visit the Blue Dome District to see this mural in person. It’s so realistic, as if Leon could pop out of the brick at any time.

What’s a more perfect place for a Master of Space and Time mural than on 3rd Street? This area is home to the Church Studio, a music studio turned museum purchased by Leon Russell in the 1970s, where you can explore iconic memorabilia from his life and walk in the shoes of so many famous artists that walked through the doors.

Jeks is a North Carolina graffiti artist and muralist. https://jeksone.com/

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Leon Russell Memories by Ann Bell, The Queen of Tulsa Sound

Posted on January 11, 2026 by Enchanted Seashells

The “Queen of the Tulsa Sound” is Ann Bell, a pioneering vocalist and performer instrumental in defining the unique musical style known as the Tulsa Sound alongside legends like Leon Russell, the one and only Master of Space and Time, and J.J. Cale.

Inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Bell’s distinctive voice and deep involvement with the scene earned her that title for her significant contributions and ongoing legacy.

As a backup singer for the original Joe Cocker and Leon Russell Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour and album, she was an important part of the band and is remembered for her contributions to the “Tulsa sound” that Leon Russell helped create. She has also participated in reunion and tribute events in the years since.

I never get tired of hearing this story. I surely wish there was a recording of Leon that night….

Ann is one of the very talented backup singers here (wearing an awesome outfit), along with the GAP Band. I love this comment: “No matter how cool you think you or your band is, you will NEVER be as cool as Leon Russell and the Gap Band doing this Marvin Gaye classic.”

Sunglasses off, shirt open, those EYES...”Wait now. WAIT!” So much Leon joy…

Recorded for the TV show, Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack, “Ain’t That Peculiar” is a classic Motown song originally by Marvin Gaye, but Leon Russell turned it into something spectacular with his signature energetic performance. Watch the entire show here: https://youtu.be/19z9JSaTm8c?si=n96fSGGrQxQuer2R

Christmas Songs by Leon Russell

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Enchanted Seashells

On this Christmas Eve EVE, it’s a perfect time for some Leon Russell trivia…

Record producer Phil Spector spent several sessions recording a collection of songs with his Wrecking Crew for a Christmas album called A Christmas Gift for You. One of the greatest moments during those sessions was when “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” was recorded by Darlene Love.

Leon Russell was one of three piano players and Darlene said that Leon got into the song so much “he played a like a man possessed; it was almost like a concerto. He played himself right off the bench and onto the floor and kept playing.” It’s undeniably Leon; he was about twenty-one years old at the time.

At the same recording session, Cher did some background vocals and Sonny Bono was on percussion!

Enjoy these holiday songs from the one and only Master of Space and Time, Leon Russell. For you Grateful Dead fans (not me), this was recorded with Jerry Garcia at the Armadillo World Headquarters November 1972.