American musician and songwriter Leon Russell has died at the age of 74.
The artist, who is best known for the songs "Shine a Light" and "A Song for You", died in Nashville on Sunday.
“His wife said that he passed away in his sleep,” a statement posted on Russell’s website read.
The artist, who performed his gospel-inflenced southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music for over five decades, was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2011.
Notable deaths in 2016
Notable deaths in 2016
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Grand secretary of the Orange Order Drew Nelson died on 10 October aged 60 after a short illness
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Aaron Pryor, the relentless junior welterweight died Sunday, Oct. 9, at the age of 60 at his home in Cincinnati after a long battle with heart disease
AP
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Polish Director Andrzej Wajda died on October 9, aged 90
Reuters
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Stylianos Pattakos has died following a stroke on 8th October. He was 103 years old.
AP
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Dickie Jeeps, was an English rugby union player who played for Northampton. He represented and captained both the England national rugby union team and the British Lions in the 1950s and 1960s. He died on 8th October. He was 84
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6/33 Duke of Westminster
Billionaire landowner the Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor has died on 9 August, aged 64
Rex Features
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7/33 Christina Knudsen
Sir Roger Moore’s stepdaughter Christina Knudsen has died from cancer on 25 July at teh age of 47
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8/33 Caroline Aherne
The actress Caroline Aherne has died from cancer on 2 July at the age of 52
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9/33 Christina Grimmie
Christina Grimmie, 22, who was an American singer and songwriter, known for her participation in the NBC singing competition The Voice, was signing autographs at a concert venue in Orlando on 10 June when an assailant shot her. Grimmie was transported to a local hospital where she died from her wounds on 11 June
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10/33 Kimbo Slice
Former UFC and Bellator MMA fighter Kimbo Slice died after being admitted to hospital in Florida on 6 June, aged 42
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11/33 Muhammad Ali
The three-time former heavyweight world champion died after being admitted to hospital with a respiratory illness on 3 June, aged 74
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12/33 Sally Brampton
Brampton who was the launch editor of the UK edition of Elle magazine has died on 10 May, aged 60
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13/33 Billy Paul
The soul singer Billy Paul, who was best known for his single “Me and Mrs Jones”, has died on 24 April, aged 81
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14/33 Prince
Prince, the legendary musician, has been found dead at his Paisley Park recording studio on 21 April. He was 57
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15/33 Chyna
WWE icon Joan Laurer dies aged 45 after being found at California home on 20 April
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16/33 Victoria Wood
The five-time Bafta-winning actress and comedian Victoria Wood has died on 20 April at her London home after a short illness with cancer. She was 62
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17/33 David Gest
The entertainer and former husband of Liza Minnelli, David Gest has been found dead on 12 April in the Four Seasons hotel in Canary Warf, London. He was 62-years-old
PA
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18/33 Denise Robertson
Denise Robertson, an agony aunt on This Morning for over 30 years, has died on 1 April, aged 83
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19/33 Zaha Hadid
Dame Zaha Hadid, the prominent architect best known for designs such as the London Olympic Aquatic Centre and the Guangzhou Opera House, has died of a heart attack on 31 March, aged 65
2010 AFP
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20/33 Ronnie Corbett
British entertainer Ronnie Corbett has passed away on 31 March at the age of 85
2014 Getty Images
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21/33 Imre Kertesz
Hungarian writer and Holocaust survivor Imre Kertesz, who won the 2002 Nobel Literature Prize, has died on 31 March, at the age of 86
REUTERS
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22/33 Rob Ford
Rob Ford, the former controversial mayor of Toronto, has died following a battle with a rare form of cancer. The 46-year-old passed away at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto on 22 March
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23/33 Joey Feek
Joey (left) passed away in March after a two-year cancer illness. She was part of country music duo, Joey + Rory, with her husband Rory (right)
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
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24/33 Umberto Eco
Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco died 19 February 2016 aged 84
EPA
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25/33 Harper Lee
Harper Lee, the American novelist known for writing 'To Kill a Mockingbird', died February 19, 2016 aged 89
2005 Getty Images
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26/33 Vanity
Vanity, pictured performing in 1983, died aged 57
REX Features
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27/33 Dave Mirra
The BMX legend's body found inside truck with gunshot wound after apparent suicide aged 41
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28/33 Harry Harpham
The former miner became Sheffield Labour MP in May after many years as a local councillor. He died after succumbing to cancer, at the age of 61.
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29/33 Dale Griffin
The Mott the Hoople drummer died on January 17, aged 67
REX
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30/33 Rene Angelil
Celine Dion's husband and manager Rene Angelil has lost his battle with cancer on 14 January, aged 73
2011 Getty Images
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31/33 Alan Rickman
Legendary actor Alan Rickman has died on 14 January at the age of 69 after battle with pancreatic cancer. He is largely regarded as one of the most beloved British actors of our generation with roles in Love Actually, Die Hard, Michael Collins, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and an illustrious stage career
2015 Getty Images
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32/33 Maurice White
The Earth, Wind & Fire founder died aged 74. The nine-piece band sold more than 90 million albums worldwide and won six Grammy awards
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33/33 Lawrence Phillips
Former NFL star found dead in prison cell on 13 January in suspected suicide, aged 40
AFP/Getty Images
Russell's colourful career saw him lead Joe Cocker's ‘Mad Dogs & Englishmen’ tour, perform with George Harrison and Friends and tour with everyone from Sir Elton John to Willie Nelson, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, Edgar Winter and The New Grass Revival.
Born in Tulsa in Oklahoma, Russell embarked on his musical career at the age of just 14 in local nightclubs. By the 1950s he had moved to Los Angeles to become a session musician, playing the piano on the songs of numerous 1960s musicians. Fast forward to 1970 and he had become a solo recording artist but continued to persist with his other numerous musical roles. His hit Shine a Light was featured on the 1972 Rolling Stones' album Exile on Main St.
He then dipped into relative obscurity for a period before coming back with a vengeance after he recorded The Union alongside Sir Elton - who saw Russell as a longtime hero. This collaboration boosted his popularity until his last days, with him going on to release a solo album and tour the world.
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