Rock singer/songwriter Leon Russell, whose bluesy touch, rough-edged voice and shaggy white head of hair and beard made him one of the most recognizable recording artists of the 1970s, died Saturday, according to his wife.Russell died in his sleep in Nashville, wife Janet Constantine revealed on the performer’s website reported. He was 74.

Russell had heart bypass surgery in July and was recovering from that at the time of his death. Reuters reported that Russell’s health problems also included treatment for leaking brain fluid in 2010.

Originally from Tulsa and born Claude Russell Bridges, Russell performed his gospel-infused southern boogie piano rock, blues, and country music for more than 50 years. He was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2011.

Russell, distinguishable by his drawl-meets-slur voice, led the famous Joe Cocker’s “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour and performed with George Harrison and Friends at the Concert For Bangladesh. He also toured with Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, Edgar Winter, the New Grass Revival, Willie Nelson, and Elton John.

His songwriting credits include “A Song For You,” “Delta Lady,” “Hummingbird,” “Lady Blue,” “Back To The Island,” “Tight Rope,” and “This Masquerade.”

Russell also was among the many musicians who played for one time or another among the “Wrecking Crew” backup artists. The Los Angeles-based crew’s credits include “Good Vibrations,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ ” and scores of other hits of the 1960s. He wrote hits for Gary Lewis the Playboys and played on Glen Campbell’s “Gentle on My Mind.”

John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr played on Russells’ solo debut, “Leon Russell.”

His concerts often ended with a rousing version of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” Billboard Magazine listed Russell as the top concert attraction in the world in 1973.

While performing in April 2012 at the Dakota in Minneapolis, Russell joked about a jazz club needing to hire a hillbilly musician to fill the place and listed three great things about the Twin Cities: Starkey Hearing (he uses their hearing aids), Prince (“I was told Prince had 20 tailors on staff. That guy’s serious about show business. I have a roadie and a bus driver.”) and the Mall of America (“I like to go there myself”). He told funny stories about B.B. King, Bob Dylan and his own ex-wife, singer Mary McCreary.

Russell has been married to Janet Constantine since 1983. They have three children.