Friday, January 02, 2009

R I P Delaney Bramlett



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 Yoakam.
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., Bramlett died from 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.


Here's Delaney, Bonnie, Eric and Dave from "the Price of Fame" TV show in 1969.


Newspaper clipping June 21 1986

Going through some stuff, I found this. The KSHE folk bowled against "The Fabulous Thunderbirds" on that night and yes, that's me next to Jimmie Vaughan. I'll try to magnify the print but, as I remember, it was a blast. Jimmie bowled a 68 or something like that. Hope you can read the print.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

So Long 2008

The rest of the list

EARTHA KITT...maybe the best Catwoman, earthy, sultry.
FREDDIE HUBBARD...maybe the best trumpeter ever, although Maynard Ferguson played at my high school.
CHARLTON HESTON...for only two quotes..."Get your filthy paws off of me, you damned dirty ape!" and "Soylent Green is people!" No one could have done Moses better
RICHARD WRIGHT...Pink Floyd keyboardist and song writer...thanks for the good times under the headphones
JIM MCKAY...the theme from "Wide World of Sports" is as a part of my youth as anything.
ISAAC HAYES...Under-rated musician and singer...He also made a couple great "Rockford Files" episodes, where he kept calling the famous James Garner character, "Rockfish..* thanks Sid, his 22 minute version of "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" notwithstanding
TIM RUSSERT...Gladys was in England when I told her. She cried. So much a part of Sunday morning
TONY SNOW...former Bush White House press secretary, Fox News anchor, political columnist, I didn't agree with him much, but his courage and grace under pressure was inspiring
BERNIE MAC...one funny dude, his TV show was hilarious.
GEORGE CARLIN...maybe THE reason I got into radio, he made the five oclock news sound so much fun. I miss him.
SUZANNE PLESHETTE...I was so in love with her in high school, what a great part she played on Newhart, pretty, funny and a REAL hottie
JEFF HEALEY...Blind blues musician. My band "The Traffic Jam" opened for Jeff Healey at Mississippi Nights at a free concert. We were very well received and while I was leaving the stage, Jeff said "they love you, go back out" to which I replied "opening bands don't get encores". "Mine do", he said. What an incredible guy. How sweet.
BO DIDDLEY...Reknowned blues guitar afficionado, but better known for his Nike/Bo Jackson commercials in the late 80's...interviewed him twice, he was a prick both times, couldn't stop eating either time
DICK MARTIN...The other half of Rowan and Martin, one of a few guys who could make me laugh so hard I peed my pants
HARVEY KORMAN...here's another one. Carol Burnett, "Blazing Saddles", you name it..he killed me
PAUL NEWMAN...Still hard to believe he ever got old, I can't list enough things that inspired me. See earlier post about how he was in the very first movie I remember
LEVI STUBBS...Four Tops frontman, trained as an alto, sang as a soprano, that's how he got that "ache" in his voice
JERRY REED...I quote him everyday when I talk to my sales crew..."we got a long way to go and a short time to get there". Thanks for "Amos Moses", I loved that song
DON LAFONTAINE...in a world far away, man, what a voice.

Monday, December 29, 2008

On The Air Again


Grabbing the headphones and on air all week, doing the old Randy Raley Experience, from 2p-7p starting Tuesday. You can hear me at http://www.eagleclassicrock.com/.
"Playing all the hits for you.. for you wherever you may be. The bright good-morning voice who's heard but never seen. Feeling all of forty-five going on fifteen" I haven't done this for a while, it ought to be fun. I wonder if I remember how.

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