05/03/2024
I watched footage of various Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions this morning and went down the rabbit hole. In 1996, the Airplane was inducted into the Rock Hall at the Waldorf Astoria. I recall every single moment from choosing Jorma's suit (Hugo Boss), to getting it fitted, to sitting at the big table with Paul, Marty, Spencer, Jack, and Jorma. Grace did not attend. Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart inducted them. It was a chaotic few days in NYC. Although I have watched almost every televised ceremony since, I missed this one for some reason.
Thanks to Steve Martin, Jorma's agent for over 40 years, Hot Tuna toured with Leon in 2014. He was much older and not in the best of health, but he was Leon Russell, and once his hands hit the keys on his piano, not much was missed. The Airplane never played with him, but Jorma saw him with Bonnie and Delany in 1970, possibly at the Fillmore, given that it was Jorma's musical home for many years. Jorma got to mark off sharing a stage with Leon from his bucket list. They performed a show together at the Fillmore East in 1970, but they did not play together. It was the 70's, and well, that's Jorma's story to tell. Elton John deserves a big thank you for getting him back out there after so many years and helping to induct him. Leon passed away in 2016, and I remember the call from Steve. God, I hate those calls.
Jorma has been threatening to release his second book, which will likely feature more stories about collaborating with people on his bucket list.
Elton John inducts Leon Russell into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Performances of "Delta Lady" and "Song for you" (made famous by the Carpenters) by...
