Bonnie Bramlett

Bonnie Bramlett
Bramlett in concert
Background information
Birth name	Bonnie Lynn O' Farrell
Born	(1944-11-08) November 8, 1944 (age 72) Alton, Illinois
Years active	1965–present

Bonnie Bramlett (born Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, November 8, 1944) is an American singer and occasional actress known for her distinctive vocals in rock and pop music. She began as a backing vocalist for blues and R&B singers; performed with her husband, Delaney Bramlett, as Delaney & Bonnie; and continues sing as a solo artist.

Bramlett was born in Alton, Illinois. She started her musical career at the age of thirteen as a backup singer for blues singers such as Albert King and Little Milton and the R&B singer Fontella Bass.

She was the first white woman to sing with Ike and Tina Turner as one of the Ikettes. She eventually moved to Los Angeles, where she met the singer Delaney Bramlett in 1967 at a bowling alley gig for his band, the Shindogs. They were married within the week. Their daughter, Bekka Bramlett, who is now also a singer, was born the following year.

The duo signed with Stax Records and became known as Delaney & Bonnie. They soon toured Europe with the British rock guitarist Eric Clapton. With frequent drop-in performances by other noted musicians like Duane Allman, George Harrison, and Dave Mason, the group became known as Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. Despite this all-star assistance, only two songs by Delaney and Bonnie reached the charts, their best-known "Never Ending Song of Love" and a cover of Mason's "Only You Know and I Know". Delaney and Bonnie co-wrote, with Leon Russell, "Superstar," popularized by the Carpenters, and the classic "Let It Rain", which is included on Clapton's eponymous first album.