Derek And The Dominos Founder Bobby Whitlock Dies At 77

Bobby Whitlock, who co-founded rock band Derek and the Dominos with Eric Clapton and contributed to records by artists including George Harrison, Dr. John and Manassas, has died of cancer aged 77, according to his wife and manager.

The singer-songwriter played keyboards and handled vocals for the band, most known for 1971’s Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, which spawned the classic Clapton track Layla.

Whitlock’s wife, Coco Carmel Whitlock, said in a statement to CBS News, “How do you express in but a few words the grandness of one man who came from abject poverty in the south to heights unimagined in such a short time?”

Eric Clapton shared on social media, “Our dear friend Bobby Whitlock, has passed away at 77, our sincere condolences to Bobby’s wife CoCo and his family on this sad day…. RIP Bobby xxx.”

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Whitlock as a teenager befriended artists related to the famed Stax Records stable, like Booker T & The MG’s, Sam & Dave and others, performing in a local soul and blues band in the mid-60s before forming his own band the Counts. Whitlock crossed paths with husband and wife group Delaney and Bonnie, recording vocals and keyboard to some of their albums, and met Clapton through the band, who was part of their touring band.

Moving to England and joining the band for a European tour, Whitlock and Clapton formed Derek and the Dominos during the George Harrison All Things Must Pass recording sessions, which both Clapton and Whitlock participated in.

Derek and the Dominos, only officially active from 1970 and 1971, toured in both the UK and United States, although quickly disbanded amid tragedy including the death of Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman, and amid Clapton’s own struggles with drug abuse and depression.

Whitlock’s musical career continued with solo albums in the early to mid 1970s, and in recent years he performed with Coco Carmel, with boxoffice reports as recent as 2017 at venues including City Winery Nashville and Daryl’s House in New York and Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, Georgia.