Originally posted on 04/04/2012:

Quote Originally Posted by 19th Hole View Post
Very cool that you spent time with the great Leon Russell.

I never really associated him with that '73 release of "Battle of New Orleans"...
(Big hit was Johnny Horton's '59 release.)
But Leon did it all.....Great stage show,super song writer, excellent studio musician and
top notch producer. Kick it!!!
You're right Leon did it all, a lot of people would be surprised to hear how many great albums and bands he played in the studio with. I used to manage a club that featured a lot of live music and that's how I met Leon. After the gig one night Mike, Leon's bus driver invited me back to the bus to kick back and hang out. When I get on the bus, Mike said "You should be lucky, Leon doesn't let just anyone on the bus." Leon said "yeah, you're alright by me." Mike and Leon start telling me a story.
One night we're all partying on the bus after a big show. This was back in the 70's, you know how the 70's were, shiiit was rocking. I hear someone pounding on the door. I check it out and it's Gregg Allman and he wants to come in and party. I yell to Leon and ask if it's OK to let Gregg in. Leon says, "That sonofabitch, don't let him on." Mike asked, what do I tell Gregg? Leon says tell that mutherfucker to get his own godd damm bus! Mike tells Gregg, "Sorry Gregg, Leon said no." and just closed the door and left Gregg hanging there.

I asked Leon why he wouldn't let him on the bus. Leon was looking a little pissed thinking about it and said "Fukk him, he would always come around and not bring shiit with him. He would just come and smoke all our weed, do all our drugs, drink all our whiskey, and try to fukk all our women. Fukk him, let him get his own bus."

I just started laughing and thinking that I'm glad I didn't come empty handed.



This is probably my favorite Leon Russell song...