Last Updated on 2 months by Vijay Kumar
Derek and the Dominos was a short-lived but legendary English–American blues-rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist Eric Clapton. Known for blending rock, blues, and heartfelt lyricism, they recorded the iconic 1970 double album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, which included classics like Layla and Bell Bottom Blues. Despite their brief existence, the band’s music has had a lasting influence on rock history.
The group was formed during Clapton’s time with Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, bringing together musicians with deep roots in rock, soul, and blues. Tragically, their story was marred by personal struggles, drug problems, and internal tensions, leading to their breakup in 1971.
Core members
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Eric Clapton
- Role: Lead guitar, lead vocals.
- Born: March 30, 1945, Ripley, Surrey, England.
- Mini bio: Already famous from The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton formed Derek and the Dominos during a period of personal turmoil and creative renewal. He was the principal force behind the band’s songs and sound, including co-writing many tracks on Layla.
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Bobby Whitlock
- Role: Keyboards (piano, organ), harmony and lead vocals, songwriter.
- Born: March 18, 1948, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
- Mini bio: A singer–songwriter with roots in gospel and Southern soul, Whitlock came from Delaney & Bonnie’s circle and contributed major songwriting, vocal harmonies and keyboard textures to the band’s recordings.
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Carl Radle
- Role: Bass guitar.
- Born: June 18, 1942, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA — Died: April 30, 1980.
- Mini bio: A steady, melodic bassist who played on many late-60s/70s sessions, Radle provided the rock-solid low end for Derek and the Dominos and later continued to work with Clapton in subsequent projects.
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Jim Gordon
- Role: Drums, percussion.
- Born: July 14, 1945, Los Angeles, California, USA — Died: March 13, 2023.
- Mini bio: One of the era’s most in-demand session drummers, Gordon played on countless records and co-wrote the piano coda to “Layla.” His career tragically ended after severe mental illness and criminal conviction later in life.
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Duane Allman
- Role: Guest guitarist (slide guitar) on many Layla sessions — not an official band member.
- Born: November 20, 1946, Nashville, Tennessee, USA — Died: October 29, 1971.
- Mini bio: Co-founder of The Allman Brothers Band and one of rock’s greatest slide guitarists, Allman’s contributions to the Layla sessions (especially on songs like “Layla” and “Tell the Truth”) are widely credited with shaping the album’s signature sound.
- Dave Mason
- Role: English guitarist, singer, and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Traffic and writer of the hit “Feelin’ Alright.”
- Born: May 10, 1946, Worcester, England
- Mini bio: Before working briefly with Derek and the Dominos in 1970, Mason had already built a solid career with Traffic and as a session musician.
With Derek and the Dominos, he played guitar and sang at a few early gigs, but his involvement was short-lived.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.