Renowned musician Bobby Whitlock, celebrated for his role as a co-founder of the iconic band Derek and the Dominos alongside legendary guitarist Eric Clapton, passed away on Sunday at the age of 77. His contributions to music, particularly in rock, will be remembered fondly. The news of the organ and piano player’s death early Sunday morning was confirmed by his manager, Carol Kaye. She provided a heartfelt statement to ABC Audio, expressing the family’s profound sadness: “With profound sadness, the family of Bobby Whitlock announces his passing at 1:20am on August 10 after a brief illness. He passed in his home in Texas, surrounded by family.”

Whitlock’s remarkable music career began in the mid-1960s when he was signed to Stax Records, collaborating with various acts, including the legendary Booker T. and the M.G.’s as well as the soulful duo Sam & Dave. In 1968, he joined Clapton in the band Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, marking the beginning of a significant partnership that would lead to major contributions in rock history.

His meeting with the esteemed guitar legend paved the way for Whitlock to make substantial contributions to two of the most pivotal rock albums released in 1970. He co-wrote half of the 14 tracks featured on Derek and the Dominos’ seminal album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs alongside Clapton, solidifying his place in the annals of rock history.

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Shortly after the release of Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, George Harrison unveiled his landmark triple-album, All Things Must Pass, which prominently showcased Whitlock, Clapton, and fellow Dominos members, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon. This collaboration not only highlighted their musical synergy but also intertwined their personal lives.

The deep connections among these musicians extended beyond mere collaboration. Clapton had developed profound feelings for Harrison’s then-wife, Pattie Boyd, whom he would later marry. Many songs on the Layla album were inspired by her. To simplify, she is both “Layla” and the muse behind Harrison’s Beatles classic Something.

In his autobiography, Whitlock candidly reflects on being caught in the midst of this intricate and emotionally charged situation: “I have always known that the better part of those [All Things Must Pass] songs were directed to Eric, just like Eric’s were to George on the Layla record.” This poignant insight illustrates the intertwined lives and emotions of these legendary musicians.

Following the breakup of the Dominos in 1971, Whitlock released several solo albums before stepping back from the music industry for an extended period, citing his disdain for the disco era as a contributing factor to his hiatus. He eventually returned to recording in 1999, issuing nine additional albums, many of which featured his talented wife, musician CoCo Carmel, showcasing their collaborative spirit.

Currently, Clapton stands as the last surviving member of Derek and the Dominos. The band faced tragic losses over the years, including the untimely passing of bassist Carl Radle in 1980 at the young age of 37 and drummer Jim Gordon in 2023 at the age of 77.

Notably, Duane Allman, who contributed lead and slide guitar on all but three tracks of Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs but was not an official member of the band, also passed away in 1971, leaving a lasting legacy in rock music.