Stevie Ray Vaughan Collaborator and Drummer Doyle Bramhall Sr. Dead at 62

Noted Texas singer-songwriter and drummer Doyle Bramhall Sr. died Nov. 13 at his home in Alpine, Texas. He was 62. According to the Forth Worth Star Telegram, the cause of death was "complications from pneumonia."

Perhaps not as well known as his son, acclaimed guitarist Doyle Bramhall II -- who worked with Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and fronted '80s group Arc Angels -- Bramhall Sr. collaborated with dozens of stars over the years, including the late Stevie Ray Vaughan and his brother Jimmie.

Bramhall's musical career began in high school when he joined the Chessman, a group that once opened for Jimi Hendrix as well as other popular artists. "Breakfast with Jimi Hendrix, lunch with Keith Moon, and dinner with Janis Joplin," is how he described it to the Austin Chronicle in a 2003 interview.

In the '70s, Bramhall created the Nightcrawlers featuring Jimmie Vaughan and a youthful Stevie Ray Vaughan. It was in that group Bramhall wrote the song 'Dirty Pool' which appeared on 'Texas Flood,' Stevie Ray Vaughan's debut album. He also penned or co-wrote a few of Vaughan's better known numbers in the '80s such as 'Life by the Drop,' 'Lookin' Out the Window' and 'The House Is Rockin.'

The musician released three solo albums beginning with 1994's 'Bird Nest on the Ground.' Following 2003's ' Fitchburg Street,' he put out his last album, 'Is It News,' in 2007. He also appeared on Jennifer Warnes' 2001 album, 'The Well.'


Several artists took to their Twitter accounts Sunday to send condolences to Bramhall's family:

"I am deeply saddened to learn of Doyle Bramhall's passing," Sheryl Crow tweeted. "My heart aches for Doyle Bramhall II during his time of loss."

"Man this is a real bummer...Doyle Bramhall Sr. died this morning," blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa said, adding he performed several shows with the late musician a few years ago.

Meanwhile, guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd echoed similar sentiments. "God bless u Doyle!" he tweeted. "My thoughts and prayers r with the Bramhall family."

Bramhall was slated to perform Nov. 26 at the Granada Theater in Dallas. There's no word if the date will evolve into a memorial or tribute concert in his honor. The musician is survived by wife Barbara Logan, son Doyle and daughter Georgia.