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R.I.P. Delaney Bramlett 1939-2008

Posted by MadMadMargo • 12/29/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: delaney bramlett, music icon, rip

Delaney Bramlett passed away Saturday, December 27, 2008. His talent, both as a musician and producer, will be missed.

Bramlett was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi and after a stint in the United States Navy, moved to Los Angeles, California. There he established himself as a singer-songwriter, writing with fellow musicians Joey Cooper, Mac Davis and Jackie DeShannon. Bramlett also became a regular on the U.S. television show Shindig! as member of the show's house band, the Shindogs. During this time, he also worked with J.J. Cale, who was his first guitar player, and Leon Russell and released some unsuccessful solo singles.

Bramlett's musical history spans four decades. Known as a songwriter, singer and musician, he has also mentored other musicians, including Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Leon Russell, George Harrison, and J.J. Cale.

Over the years, some of his songs have reached "standard" status, such as "Superstar" originally titled, "Groupie Superstar" which was co-written with Leon Russell and has been covered by scores of artists, (recorded most recently in 2006 by Usher and in the past by Luther Vandross, The Carpenters and many others);

Among some of Bramlett's other hits are "Let It Rain," which was co-written with and recorded most notably by Eric Clapton; and "Never Ending Song Of Love" which has appeared on the soundtracks of the films, RV and A Good Year. "Never Ending Song of Love" has been recorded by more than 100 artists, including Ray Charles, and Patty Loveless and Dwight Yoakum.

Eric Clapton joined Delaney, Bonnie & Friends on tour, Bramlett produced and co-wrote songs for Clapton's first solo album, "Eric Clapton". Clapton still credits Delaney for pushing him to sing and teaching him the art. Bramlett produced King Curtis' last LP, which had two hit singles: "Teasin'" and "Lonesome Long Way from Home". He has produced an assortment of artists, such as Etta James, Elvin Bishop, John Hammond, Dorothy Morrison (of "Oh Happy Day" fame), and The Staple Singers.

George Harrison had his first slide bottle placed in his hand by Bramlett, who taught Harrison how to play slide guitar, which led into a gospel jam that resulted in Harrison's hit "My Sweet Lord". Bramlett has recorded with, written with, or been on stage with many notable performers, including Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Dave Mason, Billy Preston, John Lennon, The Everly Brothers, Spooner Oldham, Steve Cropper, Billy Burnette, Mac Davis, Dennis Morgan, and his own daughter, Bekka Bramlett. In 2006 Bramlett was one of the duet artists on the Jerry Lee Lewis album Last Man Standing, singing and playing guitar on "Lost Highway".

Producer Jerry Wexler, the founder of Atlantic Records, says some of the best music he ever heard was played by Duane Allman and Bramlett on deck of his home in Long Island,New York. The two musicians remained friends until Allman's death in 1971.

In 2008 Bramlett released his first CD in six years, A New Kind of Blues.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwYVlYEMNIw

User Comments

12/29/08

satijournal

You can really hear Delaney's influence in Clapton's singing on his early albums. Too bad. RIP Delaney Bramlett.

[reply]
1. 12/29/08
  
  MadMadMargo
  
  Absolutely.
12/29/08

peterjcrowley

In the early seventies I lived on the beach in E. Haven Ct. The radio station of choice was WPLJ in the City. They would have once a week live studio concerts. One such concert was Delaney and Bonnie and friends that included Clapton and King Curtis it was an amazing show. No tape of it why I just didn't think of it at the time. The next day or two days later King Curtis was shot and Killed. I'll check with a DJ I know who will be on www.wcniradio.org/ next Monday noon to three and see if he can do a feature set. His show is mostly from that period. He will be missed. pjc

[reply]
1. 12/29/08
  
  MadMadMargo
  
  That would be worth hearing. Any chance of geting a copy of that show?
12/29/08

tucsonbassplayer

We have lost some great ones in 2008. You might say Bramlett has a big influence on me as of late. I play bass and sing the Jack Bruce parts in a Tucson Arizona based Cream Tribute Band "White Room". As I became more interested in the music I myself was surprised to see how many other writers worked with all of these guys. And of course one of the most important contributors to Clapton's career was Delaney Bramlett.

RIP Delaney

[reply]
1. 12/29/08
  
  MadMadMargo
  
  Wow, I'll have to get down to Tucson to check you guys out.
2. 12/29/08
  
  roadgurl5
  
  @tucsonbassplayer
  
  I looove Clapton and Cream...do you happen to have anything on YouTube we can listen to? :o)
12/29/08

7masterheathen

It's depressing to lose someone who is so talented.

[reply]
1. 12/29/08
  
  MadMadMargo
  
  Truly.
12/29/08

SpiritualBloggers

Strange, he is not the only great musician to have recently passed.

[reply]
1. 12/29/08
  
  MadMadMargo
  
  Remember the line from the Righteous Brothers song...
  
  If there's a rock 'n roll heaven
  Well you know they've got a hell of a band
12/29/08

aningeniousname

Never heard of this guy before, he seems like a musical "forest Gump" I will definitely check his stuff out now.
I love slide guitar.
Nothing says America to me more than slide guitar.

[reply]
1. 12/29/08
  
  MadMadMargo
  
  Right on.
12/29/08

Jeunelle

Wow I had no idea he passes too.
Losing him and Eartha Kitt, gosh what are we going to listen to now?

[reply]
1. 12/29/08
  
  MadMadMargo
  
  Fortunately, there are lots of recordings and videos that will sustain us.
12/29/08

roadgurl5

Thanks, MMMargo...I hadn't seen this. Clapton and his Let it Rain are my favorites, but I didn't realize it was co-written with Bramlett. How very sad.

[reply]
12/29/08

MadMadMargo

@ roadgurl5:
Bramlett co-wrote with Bonnie Bramlett, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell - just to name a few.

[reply]
12/30/08

joefaz

Dear Me Me,

What a thoughtful post. Bramlett deserved the wonderful tribute that you gave him. As I was reading your tribute I couldn't help get nostalgic, especially when your talking about Leon and Duane, Cale and Bishop names we rarely hear anymore. But as I wrote this reply to you I cranked up "The Road of Love" from the Anthology album and listened to Clarence Carter and the Allman Brothers.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

Regards,

Joseph

[reply]
12/30/08

sisterofmercy

A very insightful post, never heard of the guy but will definitely check him out. R.I.P

[reply]
12/30/08

acousticguitarist

wow, big news

[reply]
12/31/08

MalMNN

a real lose, i hope more folks will go back and listen to his fine work

thanks

[reply]