Rita Coolidge has maintained that for over 50 years she had more of a hand in writing ‘Superstar’ than sharing a dream. Let’s reflect on how good Cher was before autotune made her a parody of herself. You have just entered the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio (see ‘ Sweet Home Alabama’). If you think that address sounds familiar, you are right. It appeared as a bonus track on her album ‘3614 Jackson Highway’ and did not surface until a special edition issue came out in 2001. The first recorded cover was by Cher in 1970. ‘Superstar’ is just one in a long line.Ĭover versions of ‘Superstar’ came fast and furious and the names associated with it include some industry legends. Musical collaborations are always a continuing evolution of fascinating connections. You will notice that virtually everyone who was in the orbit of the original writing session was involved except for Leon Russell, and the musicologists among you will see the earliest incarnation of what would become Derek and the Dominos. The original version did not appear on a Delaney and Bonnie album until 1972 when they released ‘D&B Together’.īefore I move on to share a litany of incredible cover versions, please note the all-star cast of players that participated in this recording.ĭelaney Bramlett – Rhythm Guitar and Vocals The original recording of ‘Superstar’ was actually called ‘Groupie (Superstar)’ and it was released as a B-side to the Delaney and Bonnie track ‘Comin’ Home’ in December of 1969. She was talking about Dionne Warwick, who was down in Memphis cutting a record, and Rita said ‘She was the first superstar I ever saw.’ So that kind of struck me, I was not familiar with the word, and I started trying to started trying to write, and I ended up finishing it with Bonnie Bramlett,” Leon Russell Rita Coolidge was the first person I ever heard use that word, ‘superstar’. Here is Leon Russell reflecting on the origin of the term ‘Superstar’ in the song title. The guitar player on the radio that Rita Coolidge was referring to was Eric Clapton. You said you’d be coming back this way again babyĪnd I can hardly wait to be with you again Your guitar, it sounds so sweet and clearīut you’re not really here, it’s just the radioĭon’t you remember, you told me you loved me baby? I fell in love with you before the second show It speaks to a music fan, or ‘groupie’s’ infatuation with a musician. Here are the lyrics, which flowed seamlessly inspired by a dream. He was there, and in his words, he was “all eyes and ears”. Watch this video featuring Bobby Whitlock. It was written on a couple of acoustic guitars. They knew right away that they were on to something and they cleared the room and immediately sat down to write what would become ‘Superstar (Groupie)’. Leon Russell perked up to the idea and soon after Delaney Bramlett tuned in. Rita was talking about a dream she had where the guitar player she was hearing over the radio, became the object of her affections. Everything unfolded through animated conversation and a marijuana haze. The groups met by chance at an Atlanta hotel. Delaney and Bonnie and Friends were on a radio tour with their entourage which included a 21 – year old Bobby Whitlock, and Leon Russell was on tour with Rita Coolidge. It was a case of two music worlds colliding. Back in 1969, Leon Russell and Rita Coolidge were a noted couple in the music world.
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