Rock guitarist Delaney Bramlett, who collaborated with such artists
as George Harrison and Eric Clapton, died in a Los Angeles hospital
following gallbladder surgery. He was 69.
His wife, Susan Lanier-Bramlett, said he died on Saturday after
"seven hard months" of ill health.
"I held him and he held on up until the last breath with which he
went in peace to the light and on into eternity," she said in a
statement.
The Mississippi native first gained renown in the late 1960s as
part of the southern-fried rhythm and blues combo Delaney &
Bonnie, which he formed with his first wife, Bonnie Lynn. The
gifted duo was often overshadowed by its "Friends," as their
backing group was known. Among them was Clapton, who regularly
performed as a low-key sideman.
Bramlett, in turn, produced Clapton's self-titled debut solo album
in 1970, and co-wrote most of the songs, including the
gospel-tinged hit single "Let It Rain."
Clapton brought Delaney & Bonnie to England, and recruited such
musicians as Harrison and Dave Mason to perform at their shows.
According to Bramlett's biography, he taught Harrison how to play
slide guitar and to write a gospel song, which led to the recording
of the former Beatle's hit single "My Sweet Lord."
Delaney & Bonnie enjoyed a few hits of their own, including the
1971 tune "Never Ending Song of Love," but their popularity faded
after Clapton moved on. The couple divorced after releasing their
last album together, 1972's "Together."
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