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Delaney and Bonnie

Submitted by Roanman on Sat, 05/28/2011 - 20:26

 

I saw Delaney and Bonnie open for Blind Faith at Olympia Stadium in downtown Detroit the summer of 1969.

I have no recollection whatsoever regarding who I went with except that somebody couldn't go and there was one ticket for $5 which I jumped at because I wanted to see Eric Clapton and Stevie Winwood.

What I do remember is that I was certain that Bonnie Bramlett was the single most gorgeous creature I had ever laid eyes on, and that I hated Delaney Bramlett more than I had ever hated anything in my life only because she was singing to him and not to me.

Plus that no good Delaney Bramlett could sing almost as good as Bonnie who I have up there among the most soulful singers of all time, not that far behind David Ruffin, Marvin and then Al Green.

Years later I read an Eric Clapton interview where he said that he had been worried some about that tour because Delaney and Bonnie had a much better band than was Blind Faith.

That's clearly my recollection although in fairness I was so smitten I might not have been perfectly objective on the issue.

This is Delany and Bonnie (the world's first white Ikette) Bramlett.

That's Bobby Whitlock on organ and backup vocals and Bobby Keys shaking something instead of playing the sax like he usually does.

When the Battle Is Over.