Whitlock obituary announced

Bobby Whitlock, keyboard player and singer who co-founded Derek and the Dominos and contributed to Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, has died at 77.

Whitlock Dies at 77 Co-Founder of Derek and the Dominos

Whitlock died on Sunday morning after a brief battle with cancer. The Memphis-born musician helped form Derek and the Dominos with Eric Clapton and played on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. He co-wrote seven tracks on Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, a record many fans consider a rock masterpiece.

His career stretched from Stax and Delaney & Bonnie to a long list of session credits. In later years he spoke openly about credits and royalties tied to his work, including disputes over the songs on All Things Must Pass and the Dominos material. Whitlock also pursued painting and performance with his wife, and he was inducted into Memphis’s Beale Street Walk of Fame in 2024.

Whitlock’s story shows how art and business clash in rock history. A single great album can define a career, yet credit and compensation often lag behind the music. The Derek and the Dominos chapter is a reminder that genius thrives in the moment, but long-term recognition requires clearer rights and fair pay.

His later life, with painting and touring, illustrates a resilient artist who continued to shape his legacy on his own terms. The ongoing debates about who gets credit for classic songs remain relevant as audiences rediscover these records and new listeners learn their backstories.

Highlights

Whitlock’s music endures even when the headlines fade.