Biography of Delbert McClinton

A Texas music institution, McClinton honed his musical chops to razor sharpness as a teenage harmonica man, learning firsthand from blues legends traveling through the area. He got on the big-time circuit via his harp work on Bruce Channel's hit, "Hey Baby," making it over to tour England and eventually giving harmonica lessons to a young John Lennon. Much behind-the-scenes work throughout the '60s ensued, with McClinton fronting The Rondells, who hit the Hot 100 with "If You Really Want Me to, I'll Go." He hit the charts again in the '70s with Glen Clark as Delbert & Glen. Around this period, McClinton's songs started getting covered by country acts, Waylon Jennings and Emmylou Harris both having hits with his material. The Blues Brothers used his "B-Movie Box Car Blues" on their first album and in their hit movie. He has released idiosyncratic solo efforts and has guested on albums with everyone from Roy Buchanan to Bonnie Raitt. We've not heard the last of Delbert McClinton, a Texas music treasure. ~ Cub Koda