Whitlock obituary

Bobby Whitlock, the musician who co-founded Derek and the Dominos with Eric Clapton, has died at 77, his manager confirms.

Whitlock Dies at 77 Leaving a Legacy in Derek and the Dominos

Whitlock died Sunday morning in Texas after a cancer battle, his manager Carol Kaye confirmed to CBS News. He was 77 and surrounded by his family. The keyboard player and vocalist co-founded Derek and the Dominos with Eric Clapton, a group best known for its 1971 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.

In a statement to CBS News, Whitlock's wife, Coco Carmel Whitlock, described his rise from poverty in the South to heights unimaginable, adding, "Life is what you make it, so take it and make it beautiful." She also said, "Farewell my Love, I'll see you in my dreams." Whitlock is survived by three children.

Whitlock's role in Derek and the Dominos often sits in Clapton's shadow, but his keyboard textures and vocal contributions helped shape the group's sound during a transformative moment in rock history. His work on Layla and the following material showcases how melodic keyboards and tight harmonies can define a band's legacy. His passing highlights how many collaborators quietly powered classic records and how music history often memorializes frontmen more than the musicians who built the tracks.

Highlights

His piano notes keep living in the music that defined a generation.