Delaney Bramlett
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Delaney Bramlett (1 July 1939 – 27 December 2008) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer.
Career
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).
Bramlett's other hits included "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 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 wrote, recorded, or appeared 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.
On December 27 at 4:55 a.m.,Delaney passed away due to complications of gall bladder surgery. He is survived by his widow, Susan Lanier-Bramlett (Susan Lanier), three daughters, Suzanne, Michele, and Bekka Bramlett and a son, Dylan Thomas.
Discography
- 1969 Accept No Substitute (Elektra)
- 1969 Home (Stax)
- 1970 Delaney & Bonnie & Friends on Tour (WEA / Atlantic)
- 1970 To Bonnie from Delaney (Atco)
- 1971 Motel Shot (Atco)
- 1971 Genesis (GNP/Crescendo)
- 1972 Somethings Coming (Columbia)
- 1972 Country Life (Atco)
- 1972 D&B Together (CBS)
- 1973 Best of Delaney Bramlett (Atlantic)
- 1973 Mobius Strip (CBS)
- 1975 Giving Birth to a Song (MGM)
- 1977 Class Reunion (Prodigal)
- 1978 Delaney Bramlett with Steve Cropper (Motown)
- 1990 Best of Delaney & Bonnie (Rhino)
- 1998 Sounds From Home (DK/Zane)
- 2002 Sweet Inspiration (Dreamsville Records)
- 2008 A New Kind of Blues (Magnolia Gold)
