Delaney Bramlett

Although his popularity was often eclipsed by the artists he mentored, Delaney Bramlett was an accomplished guitarist and singer/songwriter whose style influenced the likes of Eric Clapton, J.J. Cale, and Duane Allman. A native of Pontotoc, MS, he served time in the U.S. Navy before moving to Los Angeles in 1959. He soon became a member of the Shindogs, the resident band on the TV show Shindig. Such a job allowed Bramlett to rub shoulders with other notable musicians, and in 1967 he met Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, a member of Ike & Tina Turner's backup group the Ikettes. The two were married within five days; they also formed a duo named Delaney & Bonnie. Delaney & Bonnie cut an album for Stax Records in Memphis, backed by Booker T. & the MG's, but the record was not released at first. They then expanded the group (welcoming such musicians as Leon Russell into the fold) and adopted the modified name Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. This new lineup recorded Accept No Substitute in 1969, and although its sales were lukewarm, the album still endeared Delaney Bramlett's music to a number of rock icons. Eric Clapton took particular interest and invited Delaney & Bonnie & Friends to tour alongside Blind Faith in mid-1969; he then left his band and joined Bramlett's loose collective, along with such notables as George Harrison and Dave Mason. This resulted in the release of On Tour with Eric Clapton, a live album recorded during a performance at London's Fairfield Halls. Afterwards, members of the Friends proceeded to work on solo albums by Clapton and Harrison, as well as Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Delaney & Bonnie made several more albums before divorcing, although none of them fared as well as On Tour. Delaney Bramlett then released his debut solo effort, Something's...