Leon & Mad Dogs
to
High Noon Saloon 701A E. Washington Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
The late Leon Russell was a studio whiz in the 1960s, and eventually became a star himself as one of the most distinctive singer-pianist-songwriters to emerge in the 1970s. This tribute show organized by the Gomers’ Dave Adler and Andy Wallmann features an all-star lineup of local performers, focusing on tunes from Russell’s first solo album and his stint as musical director for the tour immortalized as Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen album.
Tickets: $8
press release: Members of some of Madison’s most high-energy bands - The Gomers, Steely Dane, VO-5, Girls Are Go, Mad Rocksteady, People Brothers Band and Youngblood Brass Band - are teaming up to present a Madison all-star tribute to the late Leon Russell, who died last November. The show is called “Leon and Mad Dogs - a Madison Tribute to Leon Russell.”
Dave Adler and Andy Wallman of The Gomers had discussed the idea of a performing the first Leon Russell solo album, “Leon Russell” on and off for a few years. They saw him play in Milwaukee in 2015, making the reality closer. Then, Mr. Russell died, and under the name Dandy Productions, they’ll produce this big energy show in honor of one of the 20th century’s great musical unsung heroes.
Russell was hugely influential as a part of “The Wrecking Crew” studio band in the 1960s, and played on albums for everybody from Ella Fitzgerald to The Ronettes, to The Beach Boys. He then formed the backbone of historic music in the early 1970s, including performing at George Harrison’s Concert for the People of Bangladesh, the first all-star mega benefit concert; appearing on seminal albums like The Rolling Stones’ “Let It Bleed”, influencing some of the southern sound of “Exile On Main Street (The Rolling Stones) and many other British rockers who were already dipping their toes in the Chicago blues bucket, producing Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” writing Grammy-award winning songs, and working with virtually every major rock star of the era. Outside of rock, he helped rejuvinate Freddie King’s career, helped The Gap Band get off the ground, and played Willy Nelson’s first 4th of July picnic.
But in 1970, he released his first solo album, “Leon Russell,” a unique mix of rollicking and beautiful southern rock, blues and country. The biggest rock names of the day were quite taken by Leon, and many appear on this album, like Stevie Winwood, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Klaus Voorman, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon, Chris Stainton and Merry Clayton. It was engineered by Glyn Johns, longtime producer for The Who, and co-produced by Denny Cordell, who also produced The Moody Blues, Joe Cocker and Tom Petty.
The Leon and Mad Dogs band will perform selections from “Leon Russell” as well as selections from “Mad Dogs and Englishmen,” a live album featuring a collection of all-stars who would go on to perform on “Layla,” “Exile on Main Street” and Eric Clapton’s self-titled album among others. The tour and live album helped ignite and sustain the career of Joe Cocker. Mr. Russell arranged the music for the show, was its musical director, played guitar and keys, all with just two weeks to hire the band, write arrangements, and rehearse. He produced the live album as well.
The Leon and Mad Dogs band is:
Dave Adler - The Gomers, Steely Dane, Love Monkeys
Jay Moran - Steely Dane, Mad Rocksteady
Tim Sullivan - Cement Pond, Shakey (Neil Young tribute band)
Phil Lyons - Steely Dane, Primative Culture, Mad Rocksteady
Greg Marsh - Mad Rocksteady, many rock and jazz bands, jams w/Mick Fleetwood in Hawaii
Pie Cowan - Steely Dane, Mad Rocksteady
Lo Marie - jazz vocalist, winner of 2015 MAMA awards jazz album of the year
Catherine Capellaro - VO5
Megan Moran - Steely Dane
Kia Karlan - Girls Are Go, Yid Vicious
Tony Barbra - Youngblood Brass Band
Drew Traverse - People Brother’s Band
Andy Wallman - The Gomers, Steely Dane