Thanks for this great post. Did you realize that David Gates, Leon Russell (nee Russell Bridges) and Anita Bryant were all at the same Tulsa (Edison) High School at the same time? Phenomenal!
Wow. I love all three of them, and never, ever thought of that. Amazing.
Leon was an absolute legend - I know from my Glen Campbell/Wrecking Crew fandom. The two of them in a studio would produce hit after hit.
I just read that Elvin Bishop went to the same school as well.
What was in the water there? Sheesh.