Blues Rock
Derek and the Dominos formed in 1970 after Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, and Jim Gordon worked together on George Harrison’s solo album titled All Things Must Pass. They played small clubs all over Europe, with Clapton and Whitlock writing songs as they toured. Clapton and Gordon wrote wrote “Layla” in 1970, and it appeared that year on their album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. The album received RIAA platinum certification. It earned golden on the U.K., Canada, and Denmark. “Layla” was released in 1971 as a single and it charted at #51 on the U.S. Billboard 100 and within the Top 20 internationally.
The cover for the album was painted by French artist Frandsen De Schonberg. The band was staying with his son Emile during this time. The story behind “Layla” to explain the urgent desire and yearing is that it’s about Clapton’s unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of George Harrison. Nothing like letting the whole world know…
On the track were Eric Clapton (vocals, guitar), Bobby Whitlock (Hammond organ, harmony vocals), Carl Radle (bass and percussion), and Jim Gordon (drums, tabla). Duane Allman has not joined them yet for “Bell Bottom Blues,” but he is other tracks on that album, including “Layla.”
