was leon russell in lynyrd skynyrd?
Leon Wilkeson. Leon Russell Wilkeson (2 April 1952 â 27 July 2001) was the bassist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2001. Leon Russell Wilkeson (2 April 1952 â 27 July 2001) was the bassist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2001.