“Bobby Whitlock, 19Sep2015” by Steve Proctor is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Singer, songwriter, and musician Bobby Whitlock, known for his renowned role as a founding member of the blues-rock troupe Derek and the Dominos, died on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The keyboard player and vocalist who supported Eric Clapton and contributed to classic albums like George Harrison’s initial solo work, the 1970 release All Things Must Pass, he was 77. 

According to Whitlock’s manager, Carol Kaye, her client succumbed to cancer early Sunday morning, while surrounded by his family in Texas. The late artist’s wife, CoCo Carmel Whitlock, confirmed the news with CBS News, telling the outlet, “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?”

She continued, “As he would always say: ‘Life is what you make it, so take it and make it beautiful.’ And he did.” In conclusion, she signed off with a message to her late spouse, “Farewell my Love, I will see you in my dreams.” 

Whitlock’s Derek and the Dominos co-founder, Clapton, followed shortly after the family, writing on social media, “Our dear friend Bobby Whitlock, has passed away at 77, our sincere condolences to Bobby’s wife CoCo and his family.”

Born in Memphis, Tenn., Whitlock’s early experiences were tied to music, with a particular emphasis on his Stax Records experience, where he crossed paths with greats such as Albert King, the Staples Singers, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, before becoming the first white artist to be signed to the label.

During the mid to late ‘60s, Whitlocked performed with great regularity in the region, during the height of rhythm and blues. Ultimately, the artist sought an exit from his hometown after a chance encounter with a husband and wife, the musical duo known as Delaney & Bonnie.

He followed the pair out to Los Angeles and contributed vocals and keys to their first albums, Home and Accept to Substitutions. The pair expanded their capacity as a touring ensemble, adding the “and Friends” tag to delineate added talent, including the 1969 touring addition, Clapton. On the aforementioned run, Clapton’s short-lived Blind Faith supergroup provided support.

During a subsequent European touring leg, Whitlock arrived in London, where he participated in session recordings for soul star Doris Troy at The Beatles’ Apple record label. Troy’s self-titled set was co-produced by Harrison. At Clapton’s encouragement, Harrison joined the Delaney & Bonnie jaunt, which opened new avenues for Whitlock through exposure to the Beatles’ greats. 

As a result, Whitlock played during John Lennon’s Peace for Christmas concert in December 1969. During the onset of the ‘70s, Whitlock played on Clapton’s solo debut and carried on in support of Delaney & Bonnie before hanging up his hat and crossing the pond to resume musical efforts with Clapton. 

Whitlock, along with Clapton and their “And Friends” bandmates, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon, the ensemble reunited for session work for P.P. Arnold, which led to backing Harrison’s triple album, All Things Must Pass. The set captured Whitlock’s first time playing piano on a studio recording, on “Beware of Darkness.” 

During these sessions, Derek and the Dominos were conceived. They released their US-only single, 1970’s “Tell The Truth,” which was primarily written by Whitlock. In August of that year, the newly formed band began touring in the UK at smaller venues, while also supporting Dr. John’s The Sun, Moon & Herbs in the studio. 

Seeking to forge their own studio entry, Derek and the Dominos partnered with producer Tom Dowd at Miami’s Criteria Studios, laying the groundwork for what would emerge as their double album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. The set included six tracks that were either written or co-written by Whitmore, including “Anyday,” “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?,” “Keep on Growing,” “Throw Tree in the Garden,” and an update on “Tell the Truth.” 

Whitlock also assisted Clapton in finishing “Bell Bottom Blues,” but did not receive official accreditation. The album was intended to center Clapton’s feelings for Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd, whose sister Paula dated Whitlock at the time. After the ill-fated success of the record and a subsequent tour, the Dominos called it quits in May 1971. 

The musician seized the opening in his schedule to focus on his solo career, releasing his self-titled debut album in 1972, reaching 140 on the US Billboard 200 chart. His second entry, Raw Velvet, included appearances by his former bandmates, Clapton and Gordon. The set was co-produced by Jimmy Miller, whose Rolling Stone connection led Whitlock to an uncredited contribution on the group’s Exile on Main St. 

Derek and the Dominos eventually garnered some praise for Layla’s title track, which ultimately catapulted Clapton’s solo success. Whitmore remained focused on his solo endeavors, 1975’s One of a Kind, 1976’s Rock Your Sox Off, before taking a step back from the music industry. 

Whitmore spent most of the ‘80s and ‘90s on a farm in Mississippi, where he raised his children, occasionally taking part in a musical project but with great rarity, until resuming his solo career in ‘99 through the release of It’s About Time. He shared a love for music with his partner CoCo Carmel, and together they turned out Other Assorted Love Songs, a live LP, in 2003, a play off the only Derek and the Dominos record. 

The pair relocated to Austin, Texas, in 2006, putting out another joint record, Lovers, in 2008, featuring a guest appearance by local legend Willie Nelson. The husband and wife duo toured parts of the US in 2015, bringing out a guest guitarist in each city, before going international for their final appearance at the Jass Blues Festival in Bangladesh. 

Whitlock is survived by his wife, CoCo Carmel, and three children.