August 10, 2025 – Texas / Memphis
Bobby Whitlock, the evocative singer-songwriter and keyboardist whose soulful touch helped define the sound of Derek and the Dominos, has passed away. His longtime manager, Carol Kaye, confirmed that Whitlock died at his home in Texas at 1:20 a.m. on Sunday, August 10, 2025, after a brief illness related to cancer, surrounded by his family. He was 77 years old.
From Humble Beginnings to Southern Soul
Born March 18, 1948, in Millington, a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, Robert Stanley Whitlock grew up steeped in the sounds of Southern gospel and soul. He quietly absorbed the rhythms and harmonies of Stax Records’ legendary studios—so much so that he earned the distinction of being the first white artist signed to Stax’s HIP label, joining the ranks of soul greats like Otis Redding and Sam & Dave.
Delaney & Bonnie, Eric Clapton, and the Birth of a Band
In the late 1960s, Whitlock joined Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, contributing keyboards and vocals to albums like Home and Accept No Substitute. It was here that he met Eric Clapton—a meeting that would change the trajectory of his musical career.
In 1970, Clapton, Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle, and drummer Jim Gordon formed Derek and the Dominos, born out of sessions for George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass.
“Layla” and the Legacy of a Classic
That same year, the band released their sole studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, which has since gained legendary status in rock history. Whitlock co-wrote or wrote seven of the album’s fourteen tracks, including standouts like “Tell the Truth,” “Bell Bottom Blues,” and “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?”.
“Elton John…, said he watched Whitlock ‘like a hawk’, noting the soulful, deep southern gospel feel he brought to the band”.
Despite its initial modest success, Layla eventually grew into a timeless classic.
After the Band: Solo Work and Session Musicianship
Derek and the Dominos dissolved in 1971 amid personal tensions and tragedies, most notably the death of Duane Allman. Whitlock proceeded to record solo albums like Bobby Whitlock and Raw Velvet in 1972, featuring contributions from Clapton, George Harrison, and other peers.
Beyond his own records, Whitlock lent his talents to other iconic projects, contributing to George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, performing uncredited work on the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main St., and playing on sessions for Dr. John, Manassas, and more.
A Quiet Return, Artistic Renewal, and a Life Shared
After the mid-1970s, Whitlock largely stepped away from the limelight, settling on a Mississippi farm and taking on occasional session work. In 1999, he returned with It’s About Time and began a new chapter collaborating with his wife, CoCo Carmel. Together they released albums such as Other Assorted Love Songs, Live from Whitney Chapel (2003), Lovers (2008), and continued performing together well into the 2010s.
Painting, Memoirs, and Hometown Honors
In his later years, Whitlock nurtured his passion for painting. His artworks were exhibited in Texas, notably at the Crockett County Museum in Ozona in 2022.
He published his memoir, Bobby Whitlock: A Rock ’n’ Roll Autobiography, in 2010, featuring a foreword by Eric Clapton.
In 2024, Memphis honored him with induction into the Beale Street Walk of Fame, a fitting tribute to his roots and legacy.
Words of Farewell
His wife, CoCo Carmel Whitlock, offered a heartfelt tribute:
“How do you express in but a few words the grandness of one man who came from abject poverty in the south to heights unimagined in such a short time?… As he would always say: ‘Life is what you make it, so take it and make it beautiful.’ And he did.”
Eric Clapton, his bandmate and friend, posted simply:
“Our dear friend, Bobby Whitlock, has passed away at 77… our sincere condolences to Bobby’s wife CoCo and his family on this sad day…. RIP Bobby xxx.”
An Enduring Legacy
With Bobby Whitlock’s passing, Eric Clapton remains the sole surviving member of the original Derek and the Dominos lineup.
Whitlock’s legacy lives on through the deeply soulful keyboard work, stirring songwriting, and enduring spirit he brought to a brief but luminous chapter in rock history. From the quiet halls of Memphis soul to the blistering riffs of Layla, his musical heart left an indelible mark.
In Summary
Bobby Whitlock’s journey was as sincere as it was extraordinary—from humble beginnings in Memphis, through the epic rise of Derek and the Dominos, to a later-life chapter of painting, memoir-writing, and collaborative music with his spouse. He leaves behind a legacy defined by soul, artistry, and the belief that “life is what you make it.”
