Derek and the Dominos were a blues rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton, keyboardist and singer Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon. All four members had previously played together in Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, during and after Clapton's brief tenure with Blind Faith. Dave Mason supplied additional lead guitar on early studio sessions and played at their first live gig. Another participant at their first session as a band was George Harrison, the recording for whose album All Things Must Pass marked the formation of Derek and the Dominos.
The band released only one studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, produced by Tom Dowd, which also featured contributions on slide guitar from Duane Allman. A double album, Layla did not immediately enjoy strong sales or receive widespread radio airplay, but went on to earn critical acclaim. Although released in 1970 it was not until March 1972 that the album's single "Layla" (a tale of unrequited love inspired by Clapton's relationship with his friend Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd) made the top ten in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The album is often considered to be the defining achievement of Clapton's career.
Links to Peel[]
The band were regularly played by Peel in the 70's. Their LP Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs was well-received by critics (see comments above) and Peel too seemed to be impressed by it. He mentioned on his 16 August 1976 show that Derek & The Dominos' hit single from the LP, "Layla" was a 'record that never fails at discos anyway.' The track was popular with his listeners, who voted it at number 2 in the 1976 Festive Fifty and number 31 in the 1978 Festive Fifty.
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- 1976 Festive Fifty: Layla #02
- 1978 Festive Fifty: Layla #31
Shows Played[]
- 12 September 1970: Tell The Truth (single) Polydor 2058 057
- 07 November 1970: It’s Too Late (LP – Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs) ATCO SD 2-704
- 07 November 1970: Why Does Love Have To Be So Sad (LP – Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs) ATCO SD 2-704
- 21 November 1970: Bell Bottom Blues (LP – Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs) ATCO SD 2-704
- 12 December 1970: Little Wing (2xLP - Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs) Polydor
- 1973
- 11 September 1973: Bell Bottom Blues
- 1976
- 16 August 1976: 'Layla (7")' (Polydor)
- 1977
- 03 January 1977: Layla (Album: Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs) (Polydor) FF #02
- 05 April 1977: Tell The Truth (Album, Comp.: The Guitar Album) (Polydor)
- 1978
- 06 January 1978: Key To The Highway (album - Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs) Polydor 2335 009
- 26 December 1978: Layla (LP - Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs]) Polydor
- 27 December 1978: Layla [album version] (LP - Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs, 1970) Polydor FF #31