Died On This Date (December 27, 2008) Delaney Bramlett / Rock’s Unsung Hero
themusicsover Delaney Bramlett
July 1, 1939 – December 27, 2008
Delaney Bramlett was one of popular music’s greatest unsung heroes. During a career that spanned four decades, he either produced, played with, or wrote songs for a who’s who of rock music. As a producer, Bramlett collaborated with the likes of Eric Clapton, the Staple Singers and Etta James. His songs have been recorded by Sonic Youth, Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, and Usher. His “Never Ending Song Of Love” has been covered by over 100 artists. It was Bramlett who taught George Harrison how to play the slide guitar, eventually leading to a jam that evolved into “My Sweet Lord.” Over the course of his career, he collaborated with an astonishing list of musicians that included Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Joe Cocker, and Jimi Hendrix to name just a few. The most remarkable thing about his career however, is that ABBA made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while he hasn’t. On December 27, 2008, 69-year-old Delaney Bramlett died from complications of gall bladder surgery.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
What You Should Own
Albert King was a singer and electric guitarists who is considered one of the all-time greats of the blues. What distinguished him from the others is that he was left-handed but played a right-handed guitar upside-down. He also prefered to play what is called a “flying V” guitar that is usually played by metal guitarists. King scored a few minor hits during the early days of his career, but after signing with Stax Records in 1966, he found himself being backed by Booker T. and the MGs on what would become numerous influential records. His hits included “Crosscut Saw” and “Born Under a Bad Sign,” which has since become a blues standard. King has been cited as a direct influence on the likes of 
