I first heard the name Delbert McClinton back in the 90s from a friend who loved Country Music.
He gave me a bit of Delbert’s background. ‘He was a Texas boy born in the early 40s. You’d call him a Blues-Rocker, plays Harmonica, Guitar and Piano’ and is a Singer-Songwriter’.
I checked out his website and a few press releases and found that he has had quite a lot of high points in a very successful career.
Four of his Albums have reached Number One in the U.S Blues Charts and the Single ‘Giving it Up for Your Love’ made the eighth slot in the 1980’s Hot 100.
Delbert first came to public notice during a tour of Europe and the UK in 1962 accompanying singer Bruce Channel who’s song ‘Hey Baby’ was topping the charts in both The US and the UK.
John Lennon and Mick Jagger both picked up some Harp tips from Delbert, some say it inspired John’s harp solo in ‘Love Me Do’ the next year.
Here’s that 1962 Number Two hit sung by Bruce Channel. The Harp, played by Delbert is possibly one of the first hits featuring a Blues Harmonica, very Bluesy for a Pop song at that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik9dxkKriV0
Success increased in Delbert’s career, he’s had seven Grammy Awards to date, he was the ‘Del’ in 1960s group ‘The Rondells’. He’s also played and recorded with Tanya Tucker, Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt among others.
Here’s some Hot Harp in ‘Back to Louisiana’ with a very Texas Bluesy band, great Sax and Keyboard Playing too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOKACZGulS8
These days Delbert is also playing as a feature on Cruise Ships out of Texas. Here’s a sweet Blues on the water called ‘Get It Worked On’ and he’s certainly doing that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNpEskD484Y
Enjoy and we’II be in touch with another Legend soon. Yours Max.