Legendary musician Bobby Whitlock, co-founder of the iconic band Derek and the Dominos and renowned solo artist, passes away at the age of 77.
Bobby Whitlock, a renowned American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist, passed away at the age of 77 on August 10, 2021, in his home in Texas. Whitlock was best known for co-founding the blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos with Eric Clapton in 1970.
Born on March 18, 1948, in Millington, Tenn., a suburb of Memphis, Whitlock grew up in a poverty-stricken family. His musical skills were developed around Southern church traditions, which would later be reflected in his soulful, deep Southern gospel feel.
In the 1960s, Whitlock played in the soul music scene, working with acts such as Sam & Dave, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and Delaney & Bonnie. His major breakthrough came when he was asked to join Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, an acclaimed rock-soul combo whose collaborators included Duane and Gregg Allman, Leon Russell, George Harrison, and Eric Clapton.
Whitlock later joined Eric Clapton in a new combo (with bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon), assembled to back Harrison on "All Things Must Pass." This collaboration led to the formation of Derek and the Dominos, and Whitlock wrote or co-wrote about half the tracks on their only album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.
As a key contributor to Derek and the Dominos, Whitlock penned some of the album's most memorable tracks, including "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Tell the Truth." After the breakup of Derek and the Dominos, Whitlock released his self-titled solo debut in 1972 and "Raw Velvet," a follow-up the same year. He continued releasing solo material through the 1970s and returned in the 1990s, often collaborating with his wife and musical partner CoCo Carmel.
As a session musician, Whitlock played on the Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main St." and Dr. John's "The Sun, Moon & Herbs." His musical collaborations extend beyond Derek and the Dominos, as he played on numerous other albums and sessions throughout his career.
Eric Clapton biographer Harry Shapiro once noted, "The empathy amongst all the musicians outcropped most noticeably in Bobby Whitlock, in whom Eric found an accomplished and sympathetic songwriting partner and back-up vocalist." Whitlock's wife, CoCo Carmel, described him as a man who came from abject poverty in the south and reached heights unimagined in such a short time.
CoCo Carmel, in a statement to The Times, said, "Bobby was a man who came from abject poverty in the south and reached heights unimagined in such a short time. He was a true original, a brilliant musician, and a loving husband and father. He will be deeply missed."
Whitlock is survived by his wife and children Ashley Faye Brown, Beau Elijah Whitlock, and Tim Whitlock Kelly. His musical career spanned several decades, with releases in the 1970s, 1990s, and beyond.
Whitlock's passing marks the end of an era for the blues-rock genre, and his contributions to music will continue to be celebrated by fans and musicians alike.
Despite his humble beginnings in Tennessee, Bobby Whitlock's musical career extended beyond Southern church traditions, reaching the booming entertainment industry in California. In the 1970s, he collaborated with music legends like Eric Clapton, contributing to their joint album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs," which showcased his skills in music composition.
