Born Pontotoc County Mississippi July 1 1939

As a sharecropper's son in the Mississippi Delta the young Delaney Bramlett grew up with Country Blues around him. He would listen to R.C Weatherhall, an old black guy ,play bottle neck slide guitar after working the day in the fields, to learn what he could. The guitar playing of bluesmen Robert Johnson, Hubert Sumlin and Albert King were also influences as were country players Grady Martin and Hank Garland.

Delaney migrated to California during the fifties. After a short spell in the US Navy he decided to try his luck in the music business. His first break came as part of the group 'The Shindogs' who were residents on Jack Good's US television show, 'Shindig'.
Leaving the show in 1967 Delaney met Bonnie Lynn while playing the Carolina Lanes Bowling Alley in Los Angeles. Five days later they were married. Bonnie, had already served her musical apprenticeship as a backing vocalist for Fontella Bass and Albert King, and was the first white member of Ike and Tina Turner's Ikettes.
Delaney and Bonnie put together an outstanding backing group, which they simply referred to as the 'Friends'.
Leon Russell, bassist Carl Radle and the then un-known J.J.Cale on guitar were forming members of the group which later would include Jim Keltner,Bobby Whitlock,Jim Price,Bobby Keys and Rita Coolidge. For two years this assemblage burnt up the Los Angeles area club and honky-tonk scene, barely making a living, but catching the attention of visiting British Rock celebrities such as George Harrison and Dave Mason of 'Traffic'.

In 1969 things quickly changed for Delaney & Bonnie with Elektra Records signing the band and the release of questionably their best album 'Accept No Substitute', and a supporting slot on an early 'Blind Faith' tour of the US. J.J Cale had by then left the 'Friends' but Eric Clapton who had jumped ship from 'Cream' quit 'Blind Faith' and offered his services as a 'Friend'. He also helped organise the first UK and European tour for the group in late 1969.

In Britain George Harrison joined Delaney & Bonnie and Friends on a few select dates under the pseudonym 'Mysterrioso'. This tour was responsible for the acclaimed 'On Tour' album and also the redirection of Clapton's own career.Clapton recorded his first solo album, produced by Delaney and supported almost exclusively by the Friends. The classic track 'Let It Rain' featured on this album was also co-written by Delaney. Clapton acknowledged in a 1970 Rolling Stone interview.that it was Delaney who helped him overcome his reluctance to sing. ("I think it was probably my relationship with Delaney, because he inspired me such a great deal, and gave me the confidence that I needed. He told me that anyone could do it, literally, if they put their mind to it").

What should have been the start of a long term successful career for Delaney and Bonnie came to a quick end . The pressure on Delaney from touring, writing, and producing took its toll on the duo's personal relationship. Delaney decided to take a rest and doing so lost his 'Friends' group to Joe Cocker and to what became the famous 'Mad Dogs And Englishman' extravaganza. This left the couple without a band just as they were about to go into the studio to record the 'From Delaney to Bonnie' album. Instead, they used Atlantic studio muscians with the addition of slide guitarist Duane Allman. Delaney and Duane hit it off instantly and became close friends right up to the tragic death of Duane from a motorcycle accident.

'After 20 years Delaney is back'

At the same time as the album 'From Delaney to Bonnie' was being completed Delaney's old band were in London with Eric Clapton working on George Harrison's 'All Things Must Pass' project. From here Clapton would take the 'Friends' to become Derek & The Dominos. Two other albums 'Motel Shot' and in 1972 'Together' were released before finally the duo split up. Delaney recorded a few solo albums during the seventies and then disappeared from the scene, semi retiring to his ranch in California.
In 1972 as Delaney & Bonnie were splitting up, the music world began to enjoy the results of what the couple had spawned. Derek and the Dominos had a hit single with 'Laya', Leon Russell continued to have hit albums and Ex 'Friends' were touring with the 'Rolling Stones'.Little Feat' and playing countless sessions for many recording artists.

During the missing years Delaney has continued to write and record at his home studio and now has decided that it is time to go back to making albums. 'Sounds From Home' is his first for a very long time, but hopefully not his last.

Acknowledgements and sources:Walker Ed Amick, Peter Cross research and archive material, Bob Woffinden 'History Of Rock'n'Roll "73, Joe Tortelli liner notes for 'The Best Of Delaney & Bonnie' Rhino Records.