---

FOXBORO - If there ever was a rock music legend who often has remained behind the scenes, it is Leon Russell.

Russell, 67, who as a solo artist, premier session musician and composer has had his hand in the story of rock from the 1960s on, took the stage at Showcase Live at Patriot Place Friday night.

Some even consider Russell the most accomplished and versatile musician in rock history. A keyboardist/guitarist/singer, he has played on, arranged, written and/or produced hundreds of major singles - including some of the best records in popular music. And he also has ranged into country, folk, rhythm and blues and gospel.

Most noted for playing the Hammond organ, Russell stuck with the keyboards for the show. It was a return trip as he played here last March.

Wearing his white hat and sporting his long white beard, the distinguished musician and four bandmates opened with a medley of the Rolling Stones "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and Temptations "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." Russell showcased the former in the Concert For Bangladesh that was organized by George Harrison in 1971. "Kansas City Woman" was a jumpy, blues number - which Albert King had done, and another cover, of B.B. King's "Sweet Little Angel," kept that genre blasting. It was then on to one of Russell's biggest solo songs, "Lady Blue," a sweet ballad that hit No. 14 on the charts in 1975 and for which he wrote for his daughter.

"Anyway You Want Me," the beauty "Wild Horses" from The Rolling Stones, "Back to the Island," and "Hummingbird" that Russell's longtime bassist Jack Wessel co-sang, mixed things up.

The Beatles' "I've Just Seen A Face" and the country-flavored "Georgia On My Mind" that Ray Charles made famous, but dates back to 1930, preceded Russell's accompanying keyboardist singing the old-timer "That Lucky Old Sun."

Two songs Russell wrote and came out with in 1970, the popular "A Song For You" and "Delta Lady," were obvious highlights.

The former has been done by Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder and has been an "American Idol" standard. The latter is Russell's most famous song and his first hit. Joe Cocker spotlighted the tune when Russell led Cocker's famed "The Mad Dogs And Englishmen" tour. The Russell-written "Superstar," sung by Rita Coolidge on that tour, went on to be a big Carpenters song.

After "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms" and Russell's acclaimed "Stranger In A Strange Land," the show was capped with electrifying covers of Jerry Lee Lewis's "Great Balls of Fire" and Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven." Russell called them among his favorite old rock songs. Lewis had taken him on the road in the late 50s.

All but the drummer had a microphone in front of them to sing.

His keyboard skills in demand to well-known artists from the 1960s on, Russell has been associated with such musicians as Frank Sinatra, Glen Campbell, Steve Winwood, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, The Beach Boys, Elton John, Badfinger, and Willie Nelson. He toured with the Rolling Stones, and even was a record executive at one point.

Born Claude Russell Bridges in Oklahoma, Russell studied classical piano from ages 3 to 13, and at 14 learned the trumpet and played in Tulsa nightclubs, where he was instrumental in creating the famed Tulsa Sound and played with the group that turned into The Band. Two years later he relocated to Los Angeles, and played on many of Phil Spector's and the 1960's most popular hits, including by The Crystals, Ronettes, Gary Lewis and the Playboys ("This Diamond Ring"), The Byrds ("Mr. Tambourine Man") and Righteous Brothers ("You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'").

Russell influenced Richie Havens, Bruce Hornsby and others. Luke Mulholland opened up Friday night's bill. The set was entertaining, and their blues rock music fit right in with the main act. Mulholland is quite the singer, songwriter and guitarist despite his 19 years, and has opened for Bon Jovi in his native Canada, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Blue Oyster Cult. Now attending the Berklee School of Music in Boston, he has a new CD out.

STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.