Bobby Whitlock, the Memphis-born keyboardist and vocalist who co-founded Derek and the Dominos with Eric Clapton and contributed to iconic albums like George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, died on Sunday (August 10) at the age of 77 after a brief battle with cancer. Whitlock was a driving force behind Derek and the Dominos legendary 1971 album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, co-writing seven tracks on the supergroup’s one and only record, including “Bell Bottom Blues,” “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?” and “Tell the Truth.” After Derek and the Dominos disbanded due to substance abuse and internal conflicts, Whitlock pursued a solo career and collaborated with notable artists including the Rolling Stones, Dr. John, and Stephen Stills. In later years, he performed acoustic renditions of Layla songs alongside his wife, CoCo Carmel Whitlock, authored an autobiography in 2010, was inducted into Memphis’ Beale Street Walk of Fame in 2024, and developed a career as a painter. He is survived by his wife, three children, and a sister. (Variety)
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