Born 78 Years Ago Today, the Texas-Raised Guitar Hero Who Worked With Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, and Elvis Costello

Stephen Bruton, a Texas-raised guitarist, singer and producer who worked with major artists across rock, blues and country, is being remembered on what would have been his 78th birthday. Best known as a longtime member of Kris Kristofferson’s band, Bruton’s career shows how a respected musician can shape many artists’ work even when his own name is less widely recognised.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1948, Bruton moved to Texas as a child and joined Kristofferson’s band when the singer’s career was taking off; their friendship and working relationship lasted more than four decades. Bruton also collaborated with T Bone Burnett, Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, Rita Coolidge and Carly Simon, produced albums for Kristofferson and others, and released solo records including *What It Is* and *Right On Time*. He died in 2009, aged 60, after throat cancer; Kristofferson dedicated his album *Closer to the Bone* to him.