Keyboard player and singer Bobby Whitlock has died aged 77 after a battle with cancer. The musical legend was best known for co-founding Derek and The Dominos with Eric Clapton, as well as playing with George Harrison on his iconic album, All Things Must Pass.
He was credited for his piano playing on the popular track ‘Beware Of Darkness’ on the album, which has now also become the opening music for horror hit Weapons. However, he also grew his fame via Derek and The Dominos, providing keyboard playing and co-writing half the tracks on the short-lived band’s 1970 studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Meanwhile, he also appeared on Clapton’s self-titled debut album the same year.
Music fans around the world have gone into mourning after Bobby’s manager Carole Kaye clarified that he had died in the early hours of Sunday morning.
In a statement to ABC Media, she confirmed: “With profound sadness, the family of Bobby Whitlock announces his passing at 1:20am on Aug 10 after a brief illness. He passed in his home in Texas, surrounded by family.”
The Memphis born star took his first step in the music business in the 1960s, becoming the first ever white artist to be signed to Stax Records, a label which began in his hometown.
He became renowned for tracks like Bell Bottom Blues, Anyday and Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?, alongside fellow Derek and The Dominos stars Eric Clapton, guitarist Duane Allman, bassist Carl Radle, and drummer Jim Gordon.
However, it wasn’t just his work with Eric Clapton and George Harrison that gained him his notoriety – after Derek and The Dominos split just a year after forming, he also made an uncredited appearance on The Rolling Stones’ Exile On Main Street.
He later claimed he’d co-written the album’s I Just Want To See His Face, although that is thought to have been contested.
Bobby subsequently left the music industry by the end of the 70s after releasing multiple solo albums, returning in 2000 to perform Bell Bottom Blues alongside Clapton on Later With Jools Holland.
The talented artist is survived by his wife, his children Ashley Brown, Beau Whitlock and Tim Whitlock Kelly, and his sister Debbie Wade.
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