By Brooke Johnpier
Derek and the Dominos was an English American blues rock band that was only active for one year (1970-71). It was formed in the spring of ‘70 in London, England, by the guitarist and singer Eric Clapton, keyboardist and singer Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle, and drummer Jim Gordon. Although the band only released one studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, the band has a very interesting history.
All four founding members of the band were involved with the soul band, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends. DBF supported Clapton when he worked with Stevie Winwood, and eventually welcomed him into the band in late 1969. Clapton and the other future members of the Dominos were all on tour with DBF from November 1969 to March 1970.
A month later, Clapton had a jam session with one of his friends which would result in the basis of all of the Domino songs being written for acoustic guitar. Many of the songs reflected Clapton’s infatuation with Pattie Boyd, who was George Harrison’s wife.
All four of the members got back together at Clapton’s house in England and were more than excited to form their own band. They didn’t know what to call themselves, so they were originally going to be called “Eric Clapton and Friends”, but they realized that wasn’t a proper band name.
While on tour with DBF, Delaney was called Del, or Derek, and Clapton liked the name Derek. Although Whitlock claims that the name was Derek and the Dynamics, Derek and the Dominos was what stuck and the band ended up being called.
June 14, 1970, saw the Dominos’ first live performance. Held in London’s Lyceum Theatre, the event was to benefit the Dr. Spock Civil Liberties Legal Defense Fund. The band also picked their name minutes before walking out on stage, and Whitlock claims that the announcer said their name wrong.
Although the band received mixed reviews from both fans and critics, the band still performed. But Clapton didn’t want to be overridden by fans like he was with Cream, so they decided to play small venues where no one knew who they were, and the admission price to get in was one dollar. Clapton loved not being in the spotlight and playing in front of small crowds but knew that that set-up was only temporary.
August 23, 1970, saw the band head to Miami, FL, where they would begin to record their one and only album. The album was recorded with Tom Dowd, a producer with Atlantic Records. The recording sessions lasted until early September, with all members participating in heavy drug usage. In my opinion, the best music is made when there’s drugs involved.
Once they were done recording, they toured for two months. Beginning in Tampa, FL, and ending in Syracuse, NY, the tour had wild success. Elton John was also the opening act for them, and loved watching Whitlock.
During the tour, their album was released (November). Although the band, producer, and everyone else involved thought that the album was a complete flop, it is considered one of Clapton’s greatest achievements. The title track, “Layla,” is the band’s greatest hit, and one of my favorite songs of all time.
On January 6, 1971, the band would have its first, and only, television appearance on the Johnny Cash Show. They performed their own song, and then went on to play with Johnny Cash himself.
The band dissolved a few months later due to Clapton’s friends dying. He couldn’t handle it and killed off the band. This resulted in Clapton, as well as the other band members, to go their separate ways.
Although the band has a sad ending, I think we all can agree upon the fact that they had some great times when it was active. And one of the greatest songs of all time, “Layla,” was created.
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