I am Brazilian and my dream was to personally visit the memorial of the eternal and much loved Leon Russell, the cemetery in which Leon Russell is buried is a great paradise and very beautiful. His tomb is very beautiful and the memorial in the shape of a piano with his photo is wonderful. I want to thank everyone who contributed to this great artist, musician Leon Russell. Of course, I really wanted Leon Russell to be alive singing his beautiful songs. Thank you very much for sharing this moment at Leon Russell's grave I miss you very much Leon Russell and may God bless your soul Amen.
Love Leon Russell one of the first concerts I ever went to in Rhode Island, his music is incredible and beautiful miss him dearly, gone but not forgotten 😿😿😿
My father was in the 1st graduating class at Will Rogers! Yes, Will Rogers High School has 3 floors and according to my father (went I took him to see the school back in 2000) everything still looked the same to him as it did back in 1939/1940, the flooring, lights and even the assembly room. My father and I had special permission to tour the school with one of the office secretaries taken us around, since my father was one of the former 1st students. I lost my father back in 2001, so it was like one of his bucket list places to visits. Great memories!
It really is a beautiful school and I think it's great to see it still around and used. The Oklahoma City area doesn't seem to do that. Any ideas on what that higher area is about the entrance? Almost looks like a half floor above the third floor. Also does it have a basement?
@@RhettyforHistory The original 1939 building does have a basement. From what I looked at from my visit notes to Will Rogers High School back in 2000 with my father, after I went and found the notes stored away, the 1939 building was constructed with a basement and three stories; and as originally constructed, the structure contained 200,000 sq. ft. of space. A 1949 addition to the east wing contained 21,000 square feet of space. An addition to the west wing in 1964 added four levels of classroom space. Notable alumni from Will Rogers High School John Ashley (1934-1997), actor, producer and singer Charles Bell (painter) (1935-1995), noted artist Elvin Bishop, musician. Blues-rock guitarist best known for his hit "Fooled Around and Fell in Love." Anita Bryant, singer. A former Miss Oklahoma, she was famous as a television spokesperson for Florida orange juice. She spearheaded opposition to a gay rights ordinance in Florida in 1977. Don Chandler (1934-2011), American professional football player. Paul Brooks Davis (1938), noted artist and graphic designer. David Gates, singer. Singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the group Bread. Archie Goodwin (1937-1998), legendary comic book writer and editor, notably for DC, Warren and Marvel. S.E. Hinton, novelist. Wrote The Outsiders in her junior year at Rogers. Dave Hudgens played for the University of Oklahoma and was a 1978 3rd Round Draft Pick of the Dallas Cowboys. Lee Mayberry NBA player, 1992 1st Round Draft Pick. Russell Myers, cartoonist. Created the comic strip Broom Hilda. Dave Rader, WRHS class of 1971, NCAA college football coach. Was the coach of the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane from 1988 until the year 1999. He served as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide from 2003 to 2006. Leon Russell, musician. Occasionally referred to as "The Master of Space and Time," a title he acquired around the time of his collaborations with Joe Cocker. Alvin Setzepfandt, veterinarian and Minnesota state legislator Gailard Sartain, actor and illustrator. Played Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi on "Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi's Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting" and later became a regular on Hee Haw. Gailard was also featured in many Hollywood movies. Bob Smith, former NFL player Roy Staiger, former Major League Baseball third baseman with the New York Mets and New York Yankees Robert Taylor, born 1951, native Tulsan, 1969 graduate of WRHS, became a self-taught Native American artist Bill Van Burkleo, former CFL player John Ward, former NFL player, played at Oklahoma State University and was a 1970 1st Round Draft Pick of the Minnesota Vikings Darryl Wren, former NFL player
Thank you for that wonderful tour of Leon Russell's final resting place as well as his old recording studio and high school. A lot of musical talent walked the halls of that high school. Leon Russell and David Gates were in a high school band together. I know that Elton John was instrumental in raising funds for Leon Russell as well as bringing him back onto the stage to perform after Leon had gotten pretty far advanced with brain cancer. I have a copy of Leon Russell's last album "On Distant Shores" and the title song is very moving.
You're right. I remember the announcement at an award show where Leon stated that Elton brought him back from a deep dark place. His giving and sharing of his talent was returned. Elton truly was a huge fan. Thank you for watching!
His fans raised the money and Elton kicked in the balance of $5K to have it started. Oh and Leon didn't have brain cancer. He had a heart attack and went through surgery in mid summer and then left here in Nov. 2016.
As always, a very interesting and informative video. Beautiful well kept Cemetery. Mr. Russell surely does have the most impressive Head Stone. Glad to know that the High School is still being used. Too many times the beautiful architecture is just destroyed. Thank you for what you do.
You're probably aware that his epitaph is from one of his more famous songs, A Song For You. The famous comedian there is Sam Kinison killed by a teenage drunk driver. Also right at the entrance is NBA star Wayman Tisdale. And some may recognize the name Oral Robert's, the preacher.
I do have a video that features Sam, Wayman, Oral and Bob Wills. Then a separate video on R.D. Hull and another video on Roy Clark all at that cemetery. Lot of history in that cemetery and I'm not done.
Leon’s one of my favourites so is Jesse Ed Davis they were both musicians and friends both from Oklahoma Jesse was Kiowa Comanche Jesse was guitarist on multiple Leon Russell albums I heard Jesse Ed is resting in Norman Oklahoma.Great video
Jesse is another one that I plan on covering. His final resting place is in Oklahoma City. He certainly has a story that I think more people should know. Thank you for watching!
Gailard Sartain did a lot of cover art for Leon's albums as I believe that they both attended Will Rogers High. Gailard was on Hee-Haw and "Fried Green Tomatoes", but I remember him best as Mazeppa Pompazoidi on the Uncanny Film Festival back in the early '70's with Gary Busey. Mr. Russell also would show up, but did so rarely. It was a treat though!
I did not ever really know who did the cover art for him. That is interesting to know and also to know they went to the same high school. I think he really believed in helping out those he knew especially in Tulsa. Thank you for watching and filling us in more!
One of my favorite musicians! I live in Oklahoma and visited Leon's burial place recently. It's impressive in person. Leon loved Tulsa and lived here for a while but moved to California and I read he visited Tulsa quite a bit. I was a cashier at Target when I was in high school in 1970 or 71 and he came to my register and bought some tools. I didn't recognize him because he looked different with no facial hair at all and short white hair. I remember thinking what a striking looking man he was. When he handed me his check then I knew who he was. Lol!! At that time he was building a studio around the Grand Lake area here in Oklahoma. Listening to his songs brings back happy memories of my teenage years I will always remember!🥰
This really is an impressive final resting place for him. It certainly stands out. Thank you for watching Janet and I hope you visited some of the other famous people in this cemtery.
I enjoyed your video about entertainer, Leon Russell he was a very multitalented person. He has a very unique grave marker of a piano, I've never seen one before. The Will Rogers High School has some very interesting Art Deco style architecture, it's very attractive. Great investigation of your story, as usual. Take care 🐎
Thank you so much for watching Brenda! Everyone involved in the memorial marker really put in a lot of thought, time and money to make that happen. Truly is a beautiful final resting place.
I knew he paid for a big chunk of it but I wasn't sure how much. I know he really looked up to Leon. Almost seems sad to think of the other artists not pitching in more. I know it took them a couple years to get the funds raised. Thank you for watching!
@@RhettyforHistory I love this channel. Elton pitched in 5k from what I was told, but they did A LOT of fundraising for the marker. My dad worked there at that cemetery for 30 plus years so did my grandpa. My dad buried Sam Kinison and Bob Wills of the Texas playboys. He always told me that bob was his biggest funeral he ever worked. Oral Roberts is even out there too,but he is kinda hidden.
I also forgot to tell you that is a pump house for the pond. That cemetery used to be a dairy farm. It’ll be 100 years old in 2027. Right by the pump house and Leon’s grave they were going to make a music note with the concrete but there wasn’t enough space on how they wanted to do it.
I had no idea about that being a dairy farm. Thanks for giving us more information on the pump house and grave. That's too bad they couldn't do the music note. Sounds like it would have been really cool.
@@RhettyforHistory hey no problem man! I know that place like the back of my hand. But I never knew about the Zebco guy tho. Interesting stuff we find out ! Thank you for all of your videos. Always a delight to watch
I'll bet you didn't know that he was a member of Paul Revere and the Raiders in 1962. Paul Revere had been drafted and he kept his band together out on the road with Leon as the keyboard player. Over the years Leon signed 10 different items for me and I still have most of them. Reviews grave marker also has a keyboard on it and is similar. A comedian with his own rock and roll band. His marker says, he came he rocked he left
If you didn't know who Leon Russell was before, every women in the world knew Leon after he sang the song, "Lady Blue." He had a unique voice, and talent. Love the history on this man, although I'm Oklahoma born, I never knew all this history about him. The tombstone couldn't be more fitting, so beautiful, he would love it. I would like to think people do go and visit with him, and talk. Thanks Rhetty great narration, and content.
Thank you for watching Patricia! He really had a lot of musical talent. I think he was the guy you wanted on your project to improve your sound. I love his monument and I certainly think it is fitting for him and those of us who are fans.
Hello Rhett 🙋🏾♀️. He had some wonderful family and friends. They've created a magnificent grave marker for him. You said magnificent right after I wrote it.lol, but it is Simply BEAUTIFUL ‼️ what an honor ‼️ thanks for sharing this with Us. Bye for now 🙋🏿♀️✝️🛐☮️💜👍🏿.
That is a huge school, and beautiful building. Leon’s headstone must of cost a pretty penny, if they had to fund raise to buy it. Thanks for it to showing to us.
I'm sure it did overall. You really have to add in the benches, concrete and landscaping too. I do love what they have done though. Thank you for watching!
Saw Leon several times in Denver. The best was the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour with Joe Cocker. The picture is @6:16. He was a great musician and showman. Beautiful memorial to him. Thanks for this, Rhetty.
@@RhettyforHistory It was called Mammoth Gardens. Right off of East Colfax on Capitol Hill. Long gone now. Saw the Who and Santana there also. Unforgettable.
After I was discharged from the Army and was on my way home I had a flight from Dallas to OKC before my final leg home to Kansas. A guy sat down next to me and introduced himself and offered to buy me a drink, I declined as it was only 9 in morning. He asked me about where I was headed and how long I had been in the Army. I told him everything and so I asked him where he was headed and he said Tulsa, going to see his brother. I said OK, and then he said you may have heard of him. I thought to myself, yeah right. He then said his brother was Leon Russell. Of course I thought he was full of it but then he took out a photo of himself and Leon. So, now I wish I would have taken up his offer for that drink.
His resting place is absolutely beautiful! I can easily imagine other artists sitting there while they write their own lyrics/music/poetry, drawing inspiration from that tranquil setting. His name is definitely familiar to me but I can't recall, off hand, any of his music. Now you've got me curious; I'm gonna go look him up right now! Super video, Rhetty! 👍👍 Have a great weekend! Val.
I'm sure you have heard of him and don't realize it. I mentioned to of his biggest songs but he wrote a lot of others that people have used. He also performed on many major artists albums that you have most likely heard. Thank you for watching Val!
Beautiful memorial! You can tell, how tight the budget was for the Tropicana Club! The hand-written sign over the door frame in marker or crayon for all we know! Thanks Rhetty!
You're right about that budget! But they helped chang Tulsa on the music scene because of playing like that and I think Leon always believed it could happen just as well in Tulsa as it did in LA or Nashville. Thank you for watching Nancy!
That really is a big school but it's beautiful never seen one that big and with so much wonderful designs on it this is a really fantastic building so awesome I think I would have liked to have gone to school there just to see it and to see what the inside is like also wonderful video thank you so much for all your hard work that you put into these videos God bless you and stay safe one of your fans
It is a huge school. Makes me think of Central High School in Little Rock where the famous incident of the Little Rock 9 took place. Thank you for watching Marlene!
So much history in this cemetery. Leon’s marker is beautiful and especially like the hat under the bench. The school is a masterpiece and huge. I hope they will be able to renovate his studio and reopen it. Thank you for all of your research. On a side note, I don’t know what kind of camera you are using, but the picture is crystal clear.
As an update The Church Studio is set to open this fall. The pandemic put a damper on their plans but it is happening. I'm pretty excited about that and will be paying it another visit. Thank you for watching!
@@RhettyforHistory I’m not sure if it just the seasons but it was beautiful, green grass and pretty bushes, several others are to me, I mean, so dead and dry and rarely trees. It’s kind of depressing to look across an entire cemetery and not see a shady green spot. No judgment mind you, just was nice to see such a pretty place
This cemetery does an excellent job with the landscape everywhere. They have specific locations where you can be buried in between greenery. Of course it is more than if you are out in the open. There are a lot of people in this cemetery that are sort of the who's who of Tulsa and Oklahoma.
@@RhettyforHistory oh ok I see. Yes if that’s your politicians and that sort, the wealthy lol. They will get more consideration. I sure wish there were more like you that would take the time to volunteer even one weekend a year to do out and do some work, it’s just time in most cases. Not necessarily OK, but all, they are everywhere. Let me know if you’re looking for anything else happy to help !
You're right about there being cemeteries in need everywhere. Even if it is a nice one like this cemetery I have still uncovered graves, straightened flowers, vases etc. I don't think any cemetery is immune to that. If everyone would do just one thing it would make a big difference overall. We also need people to realize that these cemeteries are not places of taboo. To me it's like flipping thru the thumbnails on Netflix. I can tell you have a similar view on it just by witnessing you doing the research.
My sister went to Will Rogers High SCHOOL. Sam Kinison was buried at MEMORIAL LAWN CEMETERY. HIS BROTHER AS WELL..I knew him him before he became a comedian, When he was a evangelist. What a talented musician he was..Shared good times.
@@RhettyforHistory yes, I have thought of that myself. I think they might work better in a more moderate climate. I've seen containers set side by side then trusses spanned across to cover them with a roof.
You've stopped doing your walk around the gravestone vids Rhetty! I loved those the most. Being an Aussie, I don't know the people in all these newer ones.
Gorgeous monument! The lyrics as epitaph are perfect, and the benches are a nice touch. (Btw, I'd love to have you on my Tombstone Tuesdays show sometime, if you're interested.)
I saw the episode that you did with Sidestep Adventures. I would love to do that but I think you do those during the day? I would not be able to do that if that is when you do those.
Let me put my Geezer hat on....there. ow maybe I'm looking through rose colored glasses but IMO there was a (short) period of time when some of the best pop music was made, and Brother Leon was a big part of it. We've gone from We've gone from "Roll Away The Stone" to "WAP" Thing is I am Sure there is some very good music being made today, but I no longer have The Time or Patience to dig through the crap to find the good stuff. /Rant.
I'm not aware of his finances. They may have been strained somewhat. He was certainly one that wasn't out for money. It just sort of came for doing what he loved. I'm sure he also had a lot of mounting medical bills from his health issues he had the last few years. Thank you for watching.
