Bonnie Bramlett (born Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, November 8, 1944) is an American singer and occasional actress known for performing with her husband, Delaney Bramlett, as Delaney & Bonnie. She continues to sing as a solo artist.

Life and career

Early life

Bonnie O'Farrell was born in Granite City, Illinois, the daughter of a steelworker. When she was young her parents divorced and remarried other spouses. She began singing as a child. When she was five years old, she sang "Beautiful Golden Harbor" at the family church in Granite City. She filled in for Ikette Jessie Smith who had briefly quit after her boyfriend, Sam Rhodes, a bassist in the Kings of Rhythm was fired. Bramlett recalled: "Jessie left when Sam left and they needed an Ikette. I was there so I went with them. For three days. I was 17 and I was white and my mother wouldn't let me stay any longer than that. I could only help them out, she said. So I just put on a dark wig because I'm blonde and Man Tan because I'm white and helped them out."

Delaney & Bonnie

thumb|Delaney & Bonnie in 1970, during the making of their album To Bonnie from Delaney

Eventually Bramlett moved to Los Angeles to escape abuse by her father and stepfather. In 1967, she met musician Delaney Bramlett (1939–2008), performing at the opening of a bowling alley with the "Shindogs", the house band of the television show Shindig!. They were married a week later. Between 1970 and 1972, the duo had seven songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100, including their best-known single "Never Ending Song of Love" which peaked at #13 and a cover of Dave Mason's "Only You Know and I Know" which peaked at #20. which is included on Clapton's eponymous first album. The song '"Superstar'" was originally written by Bonnie Bramlett and Rita Coolidge as detailed in the autobiography Delta Lady by Rita Coolidge and Michael Walker. Eric Clapton added some embellishments to the music.

In 1969, The Rolling Stones originally asked Bonnie to sing a duet with Mick Jagger on their song "Gimme Shelter", but Delaney refused to let her perform with the Stones. The Stones then asked soul and gospel singer Merry Clayton to sing on the track. It remains the most prominent contribution to a Rolling Stones track by a female vocalist. According to Bonnie, just before a concert tour in 1970, the duo's band abruptly quit.

In 1973/74, Bramlett toured the United States and Canada, with her band, The Entertainers, promoting her new album and herself as a single artist. That musical entourage featured: Michael "Papabax" Baxter on the keyboards; Little Moe Mosely on drums; Doc Schwebke on bass; Michael Elliot, Donnie Dacus, and Phillip John Diaz on guitars; Larry Williams, Jimmy Reed and Big John Rayford on saxophones; background singers Carolyn (Brandt) Corlew, Lagatha (Smallwood) Wharton, and Lea Santos; and bandleader, Gabe Flemings, on trumpet.

Bramlett continued to contribute vocals to recordings by other artists, including Little Feat and the Allman Brothers Band.

In 1979, Bramlett travelled to Havana, Cuba, to participate in the historic Havana Jam festival, alongside Stephen Stills, the CBS Jazz All-Stars, the Trio of Doom, Fania All-Stars, Billy Swan, Weather Report, Mike Finnegan, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge and Billy Joel, plus an array of Cuban artists such as Irakere, Pacho Alonso, Tata Güines and Orquesta Aragón. Her performance appears in Havana Jam '79 a documentary film by Ernesto Juan Castellanos.

While on tour with Stills in 1979, Bramlett punched Elvis Costello in the face at a hotel bar in Columbus, Ohio, after Costello referred to James Brown as a "jive-ass nigger" and Ray Charles a "blind, ignorant nigger." Bramlett having brought his remarks to the attention of the press, Costello apologized at a press conference in New York City a few days later, stating he had been drunk and had been trying to be obnoxious in order to bring the conversation to a swift conclusion. According to Costello, "it became necessary for me to outrage these people with about the most obnoxious and offensive remarks that I could muster."

Bramlett guest-starred in an episode of Fame in 1986.

Personal life

Marriage and children

In 1967, Bramlett met Delaney Bramlett during a gig performing at the opening of a bowling alley. They were married a week later.

  • Lady's Choice (Capricorn, 1976)
  • Memories (Capricorn, 1978)
  • Step by Step (Refuge/Benson, 1981)
  • I'm Still the Same (Audium/Koch, 2002)
  • It's Time/Lady's Choice (Raven, 2004), reissue of 2 LPs on 1 CD
  • Roots, Blues & Jazz (Zoho Music, 2006)
  • Beautiful (Rockin' Camel, 2008)
  • Piece of My Heart: The Best of 1969–1978 (Raven, 2008)
  • I Can Laugh About It Now (Music Avenue, 2009), reissue of Roots, Blues & Jazz

Vocal credits

  • 1969: Joe Cocker! – Joe Cocker
  • 1970: Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton
  • 1972: Stories We Could Tell – The Everly Brothers
  • 1972: No Secrets – Carly Simon
  • 1978: Atlanta's Burning Down – Dickey Betts
  • 1979: Enlightened Rogues – The Allman Brothers Band
  • 1980: Reach for the Sky – The Allman Brothers Band
  • 1980: Touch You – Jimmie Hall
  • 1982: Night After Night – Steve Cropper
  • 1982: Party Line – Powder Blues
  • 1983: White Shoes – Emmylou Harris
  • 1987: Born To Boogie – Hank Williams Jr.
  • 1990: Fire Me Back – Rita Coolidge
  • 1992: Love Lessons – Rita Coolidge
  • 1998: A Long Way Home – Dwight Yoakam
  • 2000: Road Dogs – The Charlie Daniels Band
  • 2009: Rocket 88: Tribute To Ike Turner – Mr. Groove Band

Instrumental & performance credits

  • 1970: Motel Shot – Delaney & Bonnie & Friends
  • 1972: Some Time in New York City – John & Yoko / Plastic Ono Band with Elephant's Memory and Invisible Strings
  • 1975: Anniversary Special Volume One – The Earl Scruggs Revue
  • 1976: Happy To Be Alive – T. Talton / B. Stewart / J. Sandlin
  • 1978: Atlanta's Burning Down – Dickey Betts & Great Southern
  • 2019: Sweet Release – Reese Wynans and Friends

Filmography

  • Vanishing Point (1971)
  • Catch My Soul (AKA Santa Fe Satan) (1974)
  • Fame, episode "Fame and Fortune" (1986)
  • The Doors (1991)
  • Roseanne (1991–1992)
  • The Guardian (2006)
  • Roseanne's Nuts, episode "Star Spangled Banner" (2011)

References

  • Official website
  • [ All-Music Guide: Bonnie Bramlett]
  • Bonnie Bramlett's album recordings