Rock guitarist Delaney Bramlett has died in a Los Angeles hospital following gallbladder surgery. He was 69. Bramlett collaborated with such artists as George Harrison and Eric Clapton was a father figure.

His wife, Susan Lanier-Bramlett, said in a statement he died on Saturday after “seven hard months” of ill health.

The Mississippi native first gained renown in the late 1960s as part of the southern-fried rhythm and blues combo Delaney & Bonnie, which he formed with his first wife, Bonnie Lynn.

Bramlett, in turn, produced Clapton’s self-titled debut solo album in 1970, and co-wrote most of the songs, including the gospel-tinged hit single “Let It Rain.”

Clapton brought Delaney & Bonnie to England, and recruited such musicians as Harrison and Dave Mason to perform at their shows. According to Bramlett's biography, he taught Harrison how to play slide guitar and to write a gospel song, which led to the recording of the former Beatle's hit single "My Sweet Lord."

Delaney & Bonnie enjoyed a few hits of their own, including the 1971 tune "Never Ending Song Of Love," but their popularity faded after Clapton moved on. The couple divorced after releasing their last album together, 1972's "Together."

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