Former location –
Leon Russell grew up in a musical environment in Oklahoma. He was a classically trained pianist and a prodigious talent from a young age. By his teens, he was already performing professionally, blending gospel, country, rock, and blues influences that would define his eclectic style.
Russell began as a session musician in Los Angeles during the 1960s, contributing to recordings for artists like The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Phil Spector’s productions.
In 1968, he formed the group The Wrecking Crew, a collective of top session musicians in Los Angeles, and played on countless hit records.
Leon Russell launched his solo career in the late 1960s and early 1970s, releasing albums such as Leon Russell (1970) and Carney (1972), which included his hit “Tight Rope.”
He became known for his flamboyant piano playing, gravelly voice, and unique blending of rock, blues, and gospel influences.
Russell was heavily involved with Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour in 1970 as musical director.
He collaborated with many other legends, including George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Elton John, and played a pivotal role in bridging rock and country music.
Built in 1992, this 9,124 square foot home on approximately 45 acres was the former home of Rock Legend Leon Russell. Leon died in his sleep at this home on November 13, 2016, at the age of 74.
Leon is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery
Leon Russell Discography
1968 – Look Inside the Asylum Choir
1970 – Leon Russell
1971 – Leon Russell and the Shelter People
1971 – Asylum Choir II
1972 – Carney
1973 – Looking Back
1973 – Leon Live
1973 – Hank Wilson’s Back Vol. I
1974 – Stop All That Jazz
1975 – Live In Japan
1975 – Will O’ the Wisp
1976 – Wedding Album
1977 – Make Love to the Music
1978 – Americana
1979 – One For The road
1979 – Life And Love
1981 – The Live Album
1984 – Hank Wilson, Vol. II
1984 – Solid State
1992 – Anything Can Happen
1995 – Hymns Of Christmas
1998 – Legend in My Time: Hank Wilson Vol. III
1999- Face In The Crowd
1999 – Blues: Same Old Song
2000 – Live At Gilley’s
2001 – Guitar Blues
2001 – Rhythm & Bluegrass: Hank Wilson, Vol. 4
2002 – Moonlight & Love Songs
2006 – Angel In Disguise
2007 – Bad Country
2007 – Almost Piano
2008 – In Yor Dreams
2008 – A Mighty Flood
2010 – The Union
2014 – Life Journey
2015 – Prince of Peace: Radio Broadcast 1970
2015 – Riding the Northeast Trail: The New Jersey Broadcast 1979
2016 – The Homewood Sessions Vine Street TV Broadcast 1970
2016 – Live and Pickling Fast
2017 – On A Distant Shore
Former Estate of Leon Russell
415 Dry Fork Creek Rd.
Gallatin, TN 37066
This was not the 1992 home where Leon Russell lived in his final years. This is a property and studio he owned much earlier, in a different county from the 1992 home.
I attended a studio equipment auction at this complex in Gallatin around 2007 or 2008, and bought two truckloads of equipment. Some of it still had shipping labels from Leon’s previous studios in Tulsa and Los Angeles.
I spoke with the property manager, and he said that this studio proved to be too far from Nashville to ever be a big success. The plan was for recording artists to stay in the guest houses, but there weren’t enough restaurants or entertainment options nearby to keep visitors content for the weeks they might be expected to stay.
This is his 1992 home:
https://nypost.com/2018/09/14/home-and-studio-of-late-music-legend-leon-russell-is-for-sale/
Yes. According to Sumner County records, this Gallatin TN house at 415 Dry Fork Creek Rd was built in 1987. Leon Russell bought that other property (in Mt. Juliet TN) in 1989 and construction of the house was completed in 1992. That was the house (in Donnie’s link) where Leon Russell lived when he passed away in 2016.
I had spent much time in Feb 2007 visiting and revisiting the Gallatin house on Dry Fork Creek Rd. My partner and were seriously considering buying it. She so happened to be a realtor, so we went there dozens of times over a month’s course for “a showing”. Up to that time, the house had sat empty for many years. It needed MUCH work due to the numerous additions Leon had built onto the original rock exterior house, which ultimately caused some serious moisture intrusion into it. Therefore, despite its rich history as being Leon Russell’s old place and had been visited by many other notable artists (if walls could talk), it was too damaged to be a viable purchase on our limited budget, so we eventually opted out.
i have recently purchased this home and planning to theme rooms after Leon’s history. Do you still have some of his studio equipment??