![\"1975:](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_261753253-1ec8.jpg\")
\n\t\tSongwriter and guitarist Bobby Whitlock has died aged 77 (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives\/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tSongwriter and guitarist Bobby Whitlock has died aged 77 (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives\/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Musician Bobby Whitlock, who co-founded the band Derek and the Dominos, has died aged 77.<\/p>\n
The keyboard player and vocalist was best known for forming the blues rock band with Eric Clapton<\/a> in 1970, however they only ever released one album and broke up after a year.<\/p>\n Whitlock also worked with The Beatles star George Harrison<\/a>, playing on his 1970 triple album All Things Must Pass.<\/p>\n This week it was announced that he had died. ABC Audio reported Whitlock\u2019s death, quoting manager Carol Kaye as saying: \u2018With 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.\u2019<\/p>\n Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Whitlock was signed to Stax Records as a teenager, also becoming the first white artist signed to the label.<\/p>\n His first recording credit came in 1967 when he supplied handclaps on Sam & Dave\u2019s single I Thank You.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Between 1965 and 1968, he performed regularly in the Memphis area, playing organ with local soul band the Short Cuts before forming the Counts.<\/p>\n Although there had been plans for him to work on a pop album, he instead decided to leave his home city and join a soul-revue band being forming in Los Angeles \u2013 Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, who accompanied the duo Delaney & Bonnie on their tours.<\/p>\n Another member of the group was Clapton, however after disagreements, the band members that had been brought on board quit and instead went on to work on Harrison\u2019s album.<\/p>\n \t\t Soon after they formed blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos \u2013 releasing their debut and only album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs in 1970, which has been considered by many as one of the greatest rock albums of all time.<\/p>\n But after the album tanked commercially and failed to chart in the UK \u2013 as well as the band being wrapped up in drug consumption and personal conflicts \u2013 it fell apart after a year.<\/p>\n After this Whitlock went on to forge a career as a solo artist, releasing his self-titled album in 1972, which also featured all members of his recently dissolved band.<\/p>\n It was followed by Raw Velvet the same year and One of a Kind in 1975, however after this release he withdrew from the music industry.<\/p>\n Whitlock previously said the decision was due to him having \u2018problems to deal with\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Whitlock lived on a farm in Mississippi, raising his children and doing occasional session work.<\/p>\n He also had his own television show with Steve Cropper. In 1999 he resumed his solo career with the album It\u2019s About Time and in 2003 teamed up with his partner and musician CoCo Carmel to release a live album of the Dominos\u2019 songs.<\/p>\n The couple later moved to Austin, Texas, and continued releasing music together.<\/p>\n Other than his wife, Whitlock is also survived by his three children \u2013 Ashley Brown, Beau Whitlock and Tim Whitlock Kelly.<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n \t\t\tComments Arrow![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_261753274-990b.jpg\")
\n\t\tHe was best known for co-founding the band Derek and the Dominos in 1970 (Picture:
Herb Kossover\/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Derek](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1333916571.jpg\")
\n\t\tAnother notable member of the band was Eric Clapton (Picture: Koh Hasebe\/ Shinko Music\/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Beatle](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-593138934.jpg\")
\n\t\tThey also worked with The Beatles star George Harrison (Picture: Watford\/ Mirrorpix via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Bobby](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SEI_261753281-5fad.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe musician died this week after a \u2018brief illness\u2019 (Picture: Herb Kossover\/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\nMORE: British TV legend Ray Brooks, best known as voice of Mr Benn, dies aged 86<\/a><\/p>\n