(Gibson) Guitarist Cornell Dupree, who played on recordings by Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin and Joe Cocker has died, according to OregonMusicNews.com. He was 69.Dupree passed away on the night of May 8. He had been diagnosed with emphysema and had planned to undergo a lung transplant. A benefit concert for the guitarist had been planned in March in New York City at B.B. King's Blues Club, with guests Cocker, Cornell Dupree's Soul Survivors and the B3's.
Dupree began his career as a member of King Curtis' band – the two had grown up together in Texas. He then became part of the Atlantic Records studio band. That's his guitar playing on Aretha's "Respect." He would go on to work with many legendary artists, including Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave and countless others. In the mid-'60s, he worked alongside Jimi Hendrix (before he hit it big) and played in an opening band for The Beatles. more on this story
