Bobby Whitlock dies at 77 in Texas

An obituary for Bobby Whitlock, longtime keyboardist and songwriter with Derek and the Dominos, who died at 77 after a cancer battle in Texas.

Derek and the Dominos musician dies aged 77 after cancer battle as wife issues heartbreaking statement

Bobby Whitlock, the Memphis-born keyboardist and co founder of Derek and the Dominos, died at his Texas home at 1:20am after a cancer diagnosis, his longtime manager Carol Kaye said. Family members were with him in his final hours.

Whitlock helped shape the sound of late 1960s blues rock through his role as a co writer on seven tracks on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, including Bell Bottom Blues and Tell the Truth. Before the Dominos formed, he worked as a session musician on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass and later contributed to The Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street, reinforcing his reputation as a sought after collaborator.

Whitlock’s career underscores how a piano and a voice can anchor a band’s emotional core. His gospel and soul roots informed a distinctive, church influenced piano style that found a home in rock. The Dominos’ brief run produced some of rock’s most enduring moments, yet Whitlock remained a largely behind the scenes figure whose contributions are celebrated by dedicated fans and music historians. His passing invites reflection on the quiet, collaborative thread that runs through era defining records and the way backup players help shape a hit even when they don’t reach the spotlight.

Highlights

The music lives on in layers of piano, groove, and a shared name across generations.