RIP Delaney Bramlett

Delaney Bramlett: 1939-2008
Sunday December 28, 2008
Sadly, there's another name to add to the list of those we've lost in 2008. Singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, Delaney Bramlett has died of complications from gall bladder surgery. He was 69.

With his then-wife, Bonnie, he performed as Delaney and Bonnie & Friends in the late '60s and early '70s. Those "friends" included, at various times, George Harrison, Duane and Gregg Allman, Dave Mason, Leon Russell and Eric Clapton. Clapton credits Bramlett with encouraging and mentoring him as a vocalist. Bramlett co-wrote wrote several of the songs on Clapton's first solo album.

After the breakup (professionally and personally) of Delaney and Bonnie, he continued writing songs and producing albums for artists like Elvin Bishop and Etta James. Among the best known songs Bramlett co-wrote are "Superstar" (with Leon Russell); "Let It Rain" (with Clapton); and "Never Ending Song Of Love" which was Delaney & Bonnie's highest charting single.

Bramlett's daughter (with Bonnie) Bekka is a successful backup singer who also did a stint as vocalist for Fleetwood Mac in the late '90s.

Bramlett's most recent solo album, A New Kind Of Blues, was released earlier this year.