Bobby Whitlock, the singer-keyboardist and co-founder of ‘70s blues-rock band Derek & the Dominos alongside Eric Clapton, has died, in accordance with his supervisor Carol Kaye. In an announcement to Selection, Kaye shared that Whitlock died earlier this morning following a most cancers analysis. He was 77.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 18, 1948, Whitlock gravitated in direction of music at a younger age, each as a fan and a pupil fascinated with studying the keyboard and organ. As a young person, Whitlock began befriending artists within the Stax Data orbit, together with Booker T. & the M.G.’s, the Staples Singers, Albert King, and others, ultimately weaseling his manner into their circuit by means of that respectful admiration. After he earned his first correct recording credit score performing handclaps on Sam & Dave’s single “I Thank You,” he signed to Stax—making him the primary white artist to affix their roster—and performed organ commonly across the native scene, partly with the soul bands Brief Cuts and the Counts.
Although Stax mentor Steve Cropper took him underneath his wing and Donald “Duck” Dunn and Don Nix have been planning to supply a pop album by him, Whitlock determined to depart Memphis to pursue music with the rock and soul duo Delaney & Bonnie. He performed keys and contributed further vocals on their two 1969 albums House and Settle for No Substitute. Whereas touring with the duo, Whitlock met quite a few musicians that he would collaborate with in a while in his profession, like Bobby Keys and Jim Worth, in addition to future Derek & the Dominos members Carl Radle and Jim Gordon. When Delaney & Bonnie opened for Clapton’s supergroup Blind Religion, Whitlock and Clapton crossed paths for the primary time. (Trying again on that leg, Clapton would describe Whitlock as “probably the most energetic sideman I had ever seen.”)
As soon as Delaney & Bonnie dropped their reside album On Tour with Eric Clapton in 1970, Whitlock was keen to check his abilities in a brand new band. He reunited with Clapton, Radle, and Gordon for a fast session earlier than getting an invitation to affix Clapton on his debut solo album, Eric Clapton, and to accompany George Harrison within the studio as he recorded All Issues Should Cross, the late guitarist’s third solo album and first following the Beatles’ breakup. Whitlock contributed closely to that Billboard No. 1 album, enjoying organ, piano, harmonium, tubular bells, and backing vocals on most tracks, together with the hits “My Candy Lord” and “What Is Life.”
