The music business lost one of the greats. Delaney Bramlett passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2008. He was 69.

I never got to photograph Delaney playing, but I did get to meet him one night backstage where he had come to see his friend and frequent collaborator, Mark Karan play lead guitar with Bob Weir and RatDog.

For those who are scratching their heads right now wondering who Delaney was, he was a singer-songwriter-producer who wrote and recorded with some of the biggest names in rock ‘n roll including George Harrison and Eric Clapton. 

“He is perhaps best known for standards such as “Superstar,” co-written with Leon Russell. The song has been recorded by Usher, Luther Vandross, Bette Midler, the Carpenters and most recently Sonic Youth, in a version featured on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack of the movie “Juno.”

He also co-wrote “Let it Rain” with Clapton, who also recorded it; and “Never Ending Song of Love,” which was recorded by more than 100 artists including Ray Charles, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Patty Loveless and Dwight Yoakam.

During his career, he performed, co-wrote or recorded with stars such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Dave Mason, Billy Preston, the Everly Brothers and Mac Davis. He also produced artists including Etta James and Elvin Bishop.

He recently released an album, “A New Kind of Blues,” on independent label Magnolia Gold Records.”

My heart goes out to his family and friends. Delaney will be missed.