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McCLINTON, Delbert

(b 4 November 1940, Lubbock TX) Singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player; a behind-the-scenes influence for 20 years who finally saw the charts in the 1980s. Deeply influenced by the blues, he picked up tips from black harp players and played in clubs from age 15 in many obscure bands; his early records were among the first by white artists to be played on local black stations, such as cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's 'Wake Up Baby' on Le Cam. Played harp on Bruce Channel's no. 1 hit 'Hey! Baby' '62, toured as far as Europe with him: in the UK taught harp to a young northern group and subsequently heard the fruits on the Beatles' first single, 'Love Me Do'. He led the Ron-Dels for a Hot 100 entry 'If You Really Want Me To, I'll Go' '65 on Smash; did it again '72 with Glen Clark as Delbert and Glen on Clean with 'I Received A Letter', a McClinton composition which was covered for a country hit by Waylon Jennings.

His own albums on ABC '75-7 included Victim Of Life's Circumstances, Genuine Cowhide, and Love Rustler including nearly all his own songs, but they sank without a trace. Emmylou Harris had a no. 1 country hit '78 with his 'Two More Bottles Of Wine'; comedians John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd used his 'B Movie Boxcar Blues' in the film Blues Brothers. He signed with Capricorn '78; LP Keeper Of The Flame reached no. 146 on the Billboard album chart, but Capricorn went broke. Switched to Capitol and The Jealous Kind '80 went top 40, with no McClinton songs but including top ten single 'Giving It Up For Your Love'. Plain From The Heart '81 also charted, including 'Shotgun Rider' and his own 'Sandy Beaches', both minor hits; Feelin' Alright on Intermedia, Honky Tonkin' (I Done Me Some) '87 and Live From Austin '89 on Alligator were followed by I'm With You '90 and Never Been Rocked Enough '92 on Curb, the latter making the charts again. Second Wind was on Mercury; he also sang on the Roy Buchanan LP Dancing On The Edge '86, and turns up all over the place: the musicians all know who he is, an unclassifiable talent with a solid following. One Of The Fortunate Few '97 on Curb had guests including Vince Gill, John Prine and B.B. King.