Delaine Alvin "Delaney" Bramlett (July 1, 1939 – December 27, 2008) was an American singer and guitarist. He was best known for his musical partnership with his wife Bonnie Bramlett in the band Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, which included a wide variety of other musicians, many of whom were successful in other contexts.

Early life

Bramlett was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi. He began playing guitar when he was eight years old, but didn't get serious about the instrument until he was a teenager. He started singing in school and at twelve he had a quartet. Bramlett joined the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

before he was 17, serving for two and half to three years. He took boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes, spending over half his hitch there. After his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s, where he worked as a bartender before he started performing in clubs.

Career

Bramlett was performing at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood when he was asked to appear in a pilot for a new television show, '' Shindig!''. By 1965, Bramlett was a regular member of the Shindogs, the show's

house band A house band is a group of musicians, often centrally organized by a band leader, who regularly play at an establishment. It is widely used to refer both to the bands who work on entertainment programs on television or radio, and to bands which ...

. He collaborated as a songwriter with fellow musicians Joey Cooper, Mac Davis, and Jackie DeShannon.Obituary: Delaney Bramlett; Songwriter Who Wrote 'Let It Rain'
''Los Angeles Times'', December 28, 2008. During this time, he worked with

J.J. Cale John Weldon "J. J." Cale (December 5, 1938 – July 26, 2013) was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and sound engineer. Though he avoided the limelight, his influence as a musical artist has been acknowledged by figures such as Mark Knop ...

and Leon Russell and released some unsuccessful solo

singles Singles are people not in a committed relationship. Singles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series * ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe * ''Singles'' ...

. Bramlett was the first artist signed to Independence Records, headed by Phil Skaff. His debut single "Guess I Must be Dreamin" was produced by Russell, entering the Cashbox "Looking Ahead" survey on May 14, 1967. In the late 1960s British guitar icon

Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton (born 1945) is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is often regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Clapton ranked second in ''Rolling Stone''s list o ...

joined Delaney & Bonnie & Friends on tour, after which Bramlett produced and co-wrote songs for Clapton's debut solo album, ''

''. Clapton has credited Bramlett for pushing him to sing and teaching him the art of rock vocals. Bramlett produced King Curtis's last album,Indie Ezine
/ref> which produced two hit singles, "Teasin'" and "Lonesome Long Way from Home". Bramlett taught

Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developm ...

lead guitarist

George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician and singer-songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian c ...

to play

slide guitar Slide guitar is a technique for playing the guitar that is often used in blues music. It involves playing a guitar while holding a hard object (a slide) against the strings, creating the opportunity for glissando effects and deep vibratos t ...

, prominently featured in Harrison's

hit Hit means to strike someone or something. Hit or HIT may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super'' * Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...

" My Sweet Lord". Bramlett wrote, recorded, or appeared on stage with many notable performers, including

Joe Cocker John Robert "Joe" Cocker (20 May 1944 – 22 December 2014) was an English singer known for his gritty, bluesy voice and dynamic stage performances that featured expressive body movements. Most of his best known singles were recordings of son ...

, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Billy Preston,

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

, the Everly Brothers, Duane Allman, Spooner Oldham,

Steve Cropper Steven Lee Cropper (born October 21, 1941), sometimes known as "The Colonel", is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is the guitarist of the Stax Records house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, which backed artists such as ...

, and Billy Burnette. Members of the Friends appearing in concert or recording with Bramlett on Friends albums include Clapton, Harrison, Leon Russell, Curtis, Duane Allman,

Gregg Allman Gregory LeNoir Allman (December 8, 1947 – May 27, 2017) was an American musician, singer and songwriter. He was known for performing in the Allman Brothers Band. Allman grew up with an interest in rhythm and blues music, and the Allman ...

, Dave Mason, Rita Coolidge, Carl Radle, Jim Gordon, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys, and Gram Parsons. Their album ''Delaney & Bonnie & Friends On Tour With Eric Clapton'' (1970) reached No. 29 on the ''Billboard'' 200. Between 1970 and 1972, the duo had seven songs chart on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, including their best-known single, the poignant "

Never Ending Song of Love "Never Ending Song of Love" is a song written by Delaney Bramlett, and, according to some sources, by his wife Bonnie Bramlett. It was originally recorded with their band, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, in 1971 on the album ''Motel Shot''. Released ...

", which peaked at No. 13 and a

cover Cover or covers may refer to: Packaging * Another name for a lid * Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package * Album cover, the front of the packaging * Book cover or magazine cover ** Book design ** Back cover copy, part of copy ...

of Dave Mason's " Only You Know and I Know", which peaked at No. 20. Delaney & Bonnie ended their professional and personal relationship in 1972. In 2006, Bramlett was one of the

duet A duet is a musical composition for two performers in which the performers have equal importance to the piece, often a composition involving two singers or two pianists. It differs from a harmony, as the performers take turns performing a sol ...

artists on the

Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as " rock & roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis mad ...

album '' Last Man Standing'', singing and playing guitar on "Lost Highway". In 2008, Bramlett released his first CD in six years, ''A New Kind of Blues''. He died later that year.

Personal life

Bramlett was married to Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell. The couple had a daughter Bekka Bramlett, who was briefly a member of

Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band, formed in London in 1967. Fleetwood Mac were founded by guitarist Peter Green, drummer Mick Fleetwood and guitarist Jeremy Spencer, before bassist John McVie joined the line-up for their epo ...

in the mid 1990s and has had a long career as a vocalist, backing various country and pop artists and releasing several solo albums. Their marriage was marred by violence due to their cocaine addictions. They divorced in 1972, ending their musical partnership as well. Bramlett married Kim Carmel Bramlett in 1992. They were together for 13 years, the longest relationship of Delaney's by far. Kim, a versatile musician/singer as well as chief engineer at the studio, recorded the last several albums during the period of 1989–2000. They divorced in 2001. Bramlett died from complications of gallbladder surgery at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in Los Angeles on December 27, 2008.Obituary: Delaney Bramlett; songwriter who wrote 'Let It Rain'
''Los Angeles Times'', December 28, 2008. Surviving were his widow

Susan Lanier Susan Lanier-Bramlett better known as Susan Lanier, is an American actress. Early life Born as Susan Jean Engledow in Dallas, Texas to Gene and Dorothy Lanier Engledow, she moved to New York City to pursue an acting career in 1967 where she att ...

-Bramlett; a brother, John Wayne Bramlett; three daughters, Michele Bramlett, Suzanne Bramlett, and Bekka Bramlett; and two grandchildren. He was buried at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Legacy

Described in an obituary as a "Southern Legend", Bramlett's song "Never Ending Song of Love" has been covered by others and was used on the soundtrack of the films '' RV'' and '' A Good Year''. Bramlett co-wrote Clapton's hit song "Let It Rain". Bramlett was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame on January 18, 2011.

Discography

Delaney & Bonnie

*1969: ''

Home A home, or domicile, is a space used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for one or many humans, and sometimes various companion animals. It is a fully or semi sheltered space and can have both interior and exterior aspects to it. ...

'' ( Stax STS-2026) *1969: ''

Accept No Substitute ''The Original Delaney & Bonnie'', also known by its subtitle ''Accept No Substitute'', is the second studio album by American recording duo Delaney & Bonnie. It was recorded with many of the "friends" that would form the core of their best-known ...

'' KA ''The Original Delaney & Bonnie''( Elektra EKS-74039) *1970: ''Delaney & Bonnie & Friends

On Tour with Eric Clapton ''On Tour with Eric Clapton'' is a 1970 album by Delaney & Bonnie with Eric Clapton, recorded live at the Fairfield Halls, England. Released on Atco Records, it peaked at No. 29 on the ''Billboard'' 200 in April 1970, at No. 39 on the UK Albu ...

'' ( Atco SD 33-326) *1970: '' To Bonnie from Delaney'' (Atco SD 33-341) *1971: ''Genesis'' (early recordings from 1964 to 1965 and 1967) (GNP Crescendo GNPS-2054) *1971: '' Motel Shot'' (Atco SD 33-358) *1972: '' Country Life'' (Atco SD 33-383) *1972: '' D&B Together'' (

Columbia Columbia may refer to: * Columbia (personification), the historical female national personification of the United States, and a poetic name for America Places North America Natural features * Columbia Plateau, a geologic and geographic region i ...

KC-31377) -note: reissue of ''Country Life''. *1972: '' The Best of Delaney & Bonnie'' (Atco SD-7014) *1990: '' The Best of Delaney & Bonnie'' ( Rhino R2-70777)

Solo

*1972: ''Some Things Coming'' (Columbia KC-31631) *1973: ''Mobius Strip'' (Columbia KC-32420) *1975: ''Giving Birth to a Song'' ( MGM SE-5011) *1977: ''Class Reunion'' (Prodigal P6-10017-S1) *1998: ''Sounds From Home'' (Zane ZN-1013) *2004: ''Sweet Inspiration'' (rec. 1989) (Lemon LEM-36) *2007: ''A New Kind of Blues'' (Magnolia Gold MGR-7181)

Other credits

*1969:

Elvin Bishop Elvin Richard Bishop (born October 21, 1942) is an American blues and rock music singer, guitarist, bandleader, and songwriter. An original member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a mem ...

, ''Best of Elvin Bishop'': "Tulsa Shuffle" – Rhythm guitar, background vocals, producer *1970: The Crickets, ''Rockin' 50's Rock 'n' Roll'' – Producer *1970: Elvin Bishop, ''Best of Elvin Bishop'': "Crabshaw" – Producer *1970:

, ''

'' – Arranger, rhythm guitar, background vocals, producer *1970: Leon Russell, ''Leon Russell'' – Guitar *1970: Dave Mason, '' Alone Together'' – Guitar, vocals *1971: John Simon, ''John Simon's Album'' – Tambourine *1972: Elvin Bishop,'' Rock My Soul'' – Guitar, vocals, producer *1972:

John Hammond Jr John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Seco ...

, ''I'm Satisfied'' – Producer, vocals, guitar *1972: Eric Clapton, ''

The History of Eric Clapton ''The History of Eric Clapton'' is a compilation double LP, released in 1972 by Polydor Records in the United Kingdom, and Atco Records in the United States. It features Eric Clapton performing in various bands between 1964 and 1970, including ...

'' – Guitar, vocals *1972: Eric Clapton, '' Eric Clapton at His Best'' – Producer *1972: Duane Allman, '' An Anthology'' – Rhythm guitar, vocals, producer *1972: Everly Brothers, ''Stories We Could Tell'' – Guitar, vocals *1973:

, ''Sometimes a Memory Ain't Enough'' – Guitar, vocals *1973:

Pacific Gas & Electric The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is an American investor-owned utility (IOU). The company is headquartered in the Pacific Gas & Electric Building, in San Francisco, California. PG&E provides natural gas and electricity to 5.2 milli ...

, ''Best'' – Producer *1973: John Ussery, ''Ussery'' – Percussion, producer, slide guitar *1973:

, ''The Session...Recorded in London'' – Bottleneck guitar *1974: Duane Allman, ''An Anthology Vol. II'' – Guitar, vocals *1976: Free Creek, ''Summit Meeting'' – Guitar *1978: Commander Cody, ''Flying Dreams'' – Vocals *1978: Dann Rogers, ''Hearts Under Fire'' – Background vocals *1982: Eric Clapton, '' Time Pieces: Best of Eric Clapton'' – Rhythm guitar, producer *1988: Eric Clapton, ''

Crossroads Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to: * Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...

'' – Guitar, vocals, producer, horn arrangements *1991: Zoo, ''Shakin' the Cage'' – Background vocals *1992:

Phil Driscoll Phil Driscoll (born November 9, 1947) is a trumpeter, singer, composer, and producer. He performs in varying music genres and styles which include rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and patriotic music, and is best known for his work in Christian ...

, ''Picture Changes'' – Background vocals *1992: Classic Rock ''Classic Rock'' ema– Producer *1996: ''Heroes of Country Music, Vol. 5'' – Vocals, producer *1997: Hank Thompson, ''Hank, Real Thing'' – Background vocals, National dobro *1998: Ian Whitcomb, ''You Turn Me On: The Very Best of Ian Whitcomb'' – Bass guitar *1998:

T. Graham Brown Anthony Graham Brown (born October 30, 1954), known professionally as T. Graham Brown, is an American country music singer. Active since 1973, Brown has recorded a total of thirteen studio albums, and has charted more than twenty singles on the ...

, ''Wine into Water'' – Guitar, vocals *1999: Dave Mason, ''Ultimate Collection'' – Background vocals *2006: Jerry Lee Lewis, '' Last Man Standing'', "Lost Highway" – VocalsDelaneybramlett.com
/ref> *2006: (performer: "Attention to Me", "Coffee", "I Had to Come Back", "Something's Gotta Be Wrong") / (writer: "Attention to Me", "Coffee", "I Had to Come Back", "Something's Gotta Be Wrong"

References

External links

* Delaney Bramlett biographyat

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Music ...

Delaney Bramlett
at MySpace * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bramlett, Delaney 1939 births 2008 deaths People from Pontotoc, Mississippi Delaney & Bonnie & Friends members Songwriters from Mississippi Record producers from California Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) 20th-century American singers American rock guitarists American male guitarists 20th-century American guitarists Guitarists from Mississippi 20th-century American male singers American male songwriters