Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time
Bill Janovitz
Hachette Books
The new biography by Bill Janovitz, a founding member of Buffalo Tom, titled “Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey through Rock and Roll History,” is a fascinating deep dive into the myth and legend that is Leon Russell. Bill’s experience in the rock and roll lifestyle gives him a unique perspective not only on the ins and outs of the game but also on which pieces of the story are important for a definitive history of Russell. He gifts us with not only an interesting timeline of Russell’s life but also all the missing pieces and fascinating stories that give fans an honest look into who Leon Russell truly was.
The book begins in the early days of Leon on the road with the sentence, “One night in the dead of winter in Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1960, Russell Bridges stood on the side of the stage watching a riot unfold.” Janovitz is, of course, referring to Russell’s time with Jerry Lee Lewis and how many of those early shows with the Killer helped form Russell’s persona that he carried with him throughout his life. As you progress through the book and Russell’s career, Janovitz manages to highlight each pivotal stage with all the important names and figures in the business, as well as how those interactions and decisions shaped Russell’s life.
As a lifelong Leon Russell fan, I enjoyed every triumph and heartbreak throughout the book, as Janovitz helps draw back the curtain from rock and roll legend to the man who was creating musical history by just being himself. The book is available now on Amazon, as well as various online and brick-and-mortar stores. Follow Bill Janovitz through his website and social media to read more about the book and his various other projects.
