Bonnie Bramlett’s Statement on the Late Delaney Bramlett
Singer-songwriter Bonnie Bramlett has issued a statement about her former husband and musical partner, Delaney Bramlett, who died at age 69 on Dec. 27 in Los Angeles, due to complications following gall-bladder surgery. “I’m so going to miss him; as Delaney wrote in his song: ‘It’s hard to say good-bye,’” reads her statement. “All I can hope is that I’ll see him in the light.” Bonnie met Delaney in Los Angeles in 1967, and they married seven days later. They formed Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, acknowledged as the first rock ‘n’ roll traveling road show, whose players included George Harrison, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Gram Parsons, Leon Russell, Dave Mason and Rita Coolidge, among others. The duo released five albums, Their hit singles included “Soul Shake,” “Never Ending Song of Love” and “Only You Know and I Know.” The duo broke up personally and professionally in 1973. Their daughter is Nashville singer Bekka Bramlett.
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RedMaZ says:
Definately one of the unsung heroes in the history of music. An ispiration to many legends, just as you’ve listed. His daughter Bekka Bramlett is carrying on his tradition. These Pop singers could take a few lessons about soul from this girl. She’s wonderful, and I’m sure Delaney is so very proud of her. Rest in Peace…
ElectroDud says:
If Delaney hadn’t pushed him to sing…we may have not had Eric Clapton the solo artist as we know him today.
He influenced so many great musicians and made them greater and they influenced others and so on…
He quitely left a Big Mark on music as we know it today and in the future
Thanks Delaney…rest in peace :-)
Budd Bider says:
I first saw Delaney and Bonnie and Friends in February of 1970 at the Fillmore East in NYC. I went because Clapton was in their band. I came away from that night a hard core D&B fan and attended over 20 shows until 1972. I have his latest album. He had an influence on me and others and I am sorry for his family’s loss and ours as well.
Steve Lefty says:
I was also at the Fillmore in N.Y.He was a great musician and I will miss him;
Alan Sells says:
Growing up in radio, (we had a radio station at my High School), rock is my life. Delaney was in the core of artists who bonded the British Invasion with southern roots rock in the late sixties. He is part of the tree that includes Clapton and J.J. Cale. Delaney & Bonnie and Friends were the template for Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen.
Part of the original rock foundation has left us.
Eric Thom says:
Alan has nailed it squarely. Magic happened around this man, like a musical Merlin. Witness his influence from the beginning and including his magnificent A New Kind Of Blues - a release which ‘reminded’ me he was still at it, before it rekindled the flame that is his supreme accomplishment. The merging of British rock to southern roots - the repercussions of which helped form the lion’s share of a generations record/CD collections. To hear his final recording was a joyful event, underlining his mastery over all he had created. It also had me rooting for him that people would come to realize his utmost importance WHILE he was still alive, as the credit he deserved was never delivered to his heart in appropriate measure. And now, we must tell others what we already know. This mercurial man was a giant in our midst and we were lucky to have enjoyed his gifts. Truly a loss. Time for some reflective listening……
ET
sluggo says:
I always thought it was funny that the “Delaney” mix of Eric Clapton`s first solo lp sounded better than the official release. Not only was Delaney a talented musician, he also had good ears…
r.i.p. brother soul…
sluggo
philnovy says:
saw them once in okc with john hammond and billy prston opening acts great show one of the worst they come in 3’s ever with earhta and freddie god must have been on a talent search
Beatbeast says:
DB leaves a legacy in the hearts of all the musicians he taught and developed and the listeners who gained so much from the music he created.
If anyone deserved to be in the Hall of Fame it is Delaney Bramlett.
Sadly missed.
Jim Barile says:
I have to say that I have had the great honor to have come to know Delaney as a friend and brother in the faith in Jesus the Lord.
I am so priviledged to have Delaney perform on my cd called: “IF YOU GET CLOSE YOU CAN HEAR.”
In view of the many conversations that I have had with Delaney, I know, from what he has told me about his faith that without a doubt Delaney is now in peace with the Lord.
Peace to all who read this,
Jim Barile
David in Atlanta says:
Don’t forget his days as part of the groundbreaking television house band the Shindogs with Billy Preston, Glenn Campbell, Leon Russell and James Burton. They played behind everyone from Howling Wolf to Johnny Cash
fireblossom says:
Clapton said something about really learning how to play being with Delaney. I know Clapton began to find his voice around Delaney. D&B changed the direction of his career by helping shape the structure of his songwriting and playing. As a teenager I heard something on D&B albums, a wild delight and on the edge playing that really changed my tastes.
All the best to Delaney and Bekka.
Fischler Promotion says:
I worked with Delaney this entire last year. Knew him sine the late 60’s and was a neighbor of Bonnie’s in the 80’s.
Delaney was lightning in a bottle.
Albert Lee said it best in his blog:
Delaney Bramlett was an immense talent and a trendsetter in popular music. Eric Clapton loved him so much that he joined his band. Everyone who knew him could not be touched by his kind heart, he was the most amiable of men.–Albert Lee
Now rest Delaney, I will miss you greatly.
Sadly,
Steve Fischler
Fischler Artist Promotions
Tim Bristol says:
I saw Delaney & Bonnie in Portland, OR summer of ‘69, along with Blind Faith headlining and Rory Gallagher’s band Taste opening. Extraordinary show. I still sing “Where There’s A Will There’s a Way”, a great sassy duo for male/female voices.
Without Clapton having met their band, Derek & The Dominoes would never have happened. Now, Bekka’s voice carries the music forward.
Let it rain, Delaney . . . music and true soul wash to the endless sea, forever peacefully.
Tim Bristol, Santa Barbara, CA
Woody Jarvis says:
Delaney will certainly be missed. Had to bring out as much of the Delaney & Bonnie & Friends material as I could find. Their friends were the Who’s Who of ’70’s Southern Blues-Rock & what a joy it is to replay some of the classics they recorded with the likes of Harrison, Duane Allman, Billy Preston and Eric Clapton. His warmth & amiability showed through in his music, and his voice was a Southern gem. I wish to express condolences to Delaney’s wife, Susan, and his family. What a blessing that he was able to lead a life of making & teaching music on a world stage! .. It is a comfort to know he is with the Lord. Thanks be to God for a Life Shared.
Jim Brooks says:
I read a very positive review of the Delaney & Bonnie and Friends On Tour with Eric Clapton live album in Downbeat Magazine in 1970. (I still have the review taped to the inside of the album jacket). That album forever changed what music and artists I listened to.
I saw D&B live at Carnegie Hall in either very late 1971, or very early 1972 when I was in the Army stationed at Ft. Monmouth. Good concert, extraordinary band (without Clapton or Mason), but Delaney’s work with other musicians is the legacy he leaves behind.
bruce ponder says:
delaney bramlett was great song writer, singer, and, most importantly, a great band leader. his leadership was natural and attracted great performers to pick and sing. great southern musician.
Jason Bramlett says:
Delaney Bramlett will be terribly missed, by all that knew him, or remembers his music. Delaney left his mark. I have noticed that Bekka Bramlett, “one of Delaneys’” daughters is mentioned, failing to mention Michele Bramlett, a wonderful artist in her own right, is not mentioned by the press or anyone else, and should be mentioned,..so I have. Cousin Delaney, we miss you.
Virginia S. says:
I still haven’t quite grasped that this world is without the one and only Delaney Bramlett. I had him in my life since 1984 - although the spaces between our visits and conversations became greater of late, I am blessed to have experienced HIM. I sat and watched him “giving birth to a song” even though it looked like he was sitting on the floor with the tv on…I met amazing people, heard fantastic tales, dreams and historical accounts of what is was like with all those people all you have talked about…HOWEVER NONE OF THEM WERE/ARE more special or impressive than his Mamo and his daughters..It was warm at tat Kitchen table out there at the Rock N Roll Ranch -Delaney truly was one of a kind and when he smiled with that special southern sweetness spilling out of his eyes along with his infectious easy laugh…while pickin’ on his national…well,..just can’t beat that. I don’t know why we cross paths with the people we do in this incarnation, but I do know that once lived through the 80’s…we were still friends. My mind is full of memories and my heart holds them all sacredly and safely. I am so glad to have a part of his family for the time I was. He will be missed, but what he left behind ( perhaps 1000’s of songs yet to be heard by anyone.)
I hope that we will have a chance to have more of him sometime in the future, because the soul of his voice and arrangements - always make me smile and feel understood…Probably talked to much here, but I just needed to get it out. I cherish my time with his family - Mamo, Bekka, Michelle and Suzanne and know they will keep his memory alive - I often throughout the day feel the collective consciousness that surrounds his memory and I feel a part of something special! RIP my friend…I’m sad I will not be able to sit on your porch and admire the roses or talk about your horses and hear some “wild tale” about somebody or another…it was all good and NOW you know how many people really love you. If angels could cry I’m sure there would more rain storms as you really really sees how many people you affected with your god-given talents and passionate heart. I breathe a heavy sigh for your family as I have seen my Dad pass away and my Mom is trying to catch up with him…It’s NOT easy but I know RnR heaven just got another front man…and in spite of anything that might have been challenging was only lessons to help me learn SOMETHING for that I always be greatful.
Thank YOU.
graham oliver saxon says:
saw the tour 1969 december with george harrison and clapton ………great show at sheffield city hall england