On Tour Team: Bonnie Bramlett

This week’s playlist celebrates Bonnie Bramlett.

It’s the start of tour season 2021 and the sticky part of Summer so let’s spend the next few weeks trapped in a web of late-60s, early-70s artists all so intertwined they deserve their own series. Our “On Tour Team” begins with Delaney & Bonnie, so we’re kicking off with the Queen herself, Mrs. Bonnie Bramlett.

Bonnie Bramlett is one of those artists you don’t know you know.

A fiery gospel-blues-R&B singer, she became an international rock star as Delaney & Bonnie with her singer/songwriter/husband. Their records didn’t sell well but they became famous for their live shows…and the “friends” that regularly joined them on tour like Leon Russell, Duane Allman, Dave Mason, Bobby Keys, George Harrison & Eric Clapton.

Before that, Bonnie was the first white Ikette to back up Ike & Tina…and way after that she was Rosanne’s coworker…and occasional guest singer

If none of that sounds familiar, you definitely know the song she co-wrote with Leon Russell.

Though my favorite story of Bonnie Bramlett is the time she punched Elvis Costello for making derogatory comments about Ray Charles & James Brown.

This playlist is just a small sample of Bonnie’s soulful sound.

(Notice the similarities of Eric Clapton and Delaney’s vocal sound. Hard to tell who’s been fooling who.)