Eric Clapton’s ‘Layla’ Co-Writer Dies at 77 – Tikmusics

Jim Gordon, drummer and co-writer of Eric Clapton’s 1971 hit “Layla”, has died at the age of 77.

The drummer died on Monday, March 13, from natural causes at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California, according to his spokesman. Gordon spent decades in prison after being found guilty of killing his mother in 1983 and repeatedly failing to appear at hearings. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The drummer is best known for his work with Derek and the Dominos alongside Eric Clapton. The pair co-wrote “Layla”, which appeared as the 13th track from the band’s 1970 album. Leila and other love songs in assortment. The song was famously written about Clapton’s forbidden love for Patti Boyd, the wife of his friend and Beatle member George Harrison.

In the spring of 1971, “Layla” originally peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was re-released in the top ten the following year. Clapton MTV disabled a version of the track peaked at number 12 on the Hot 100 in 1992.

In addition to being a member of Derek and the Dominos, Gordon was also a member of the Wrecking Crew, a session musician group in which he could earn seats by playing drums on tracks such as “Apache” by the Incredible Bongo Band, “Rikki” by Steely Dan. Don’t Lose That Number”, “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon and “Power to the People” by John Lennon, and “The Beach Boys” Pet soundsGeorge Harrison Everything must passTom Waits Saturday night heart and other tracks by Cher, Alice Cooper, Carpenters, Joan Baez and others.