Derek & The Dominos

Prior to forming Derek & The Dominos, singer-guitarist Eric Clapton played in John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith. ∙ The core lineup of what would become Derek & The Dominos discovered their musical chemistry while touring as part of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. ∙ The band initially wanted Jim Keltner to be their drummer, but he was busy with another session, so Jim Gordon took his place. ∙ Members of Derek & The Dominos also played on Eric Clapton’s self-titled solo debut and George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. ∙ The lyrics for the band’s only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, were influenced by Clapton’s infatuation with Pattie Boyd, then-wife of his good friend George Harrison. ∙ Duane Allman played guitar on most of Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, and he composed the signature riff for the 1971 hit “Layla,” which Clapton had originally written as a ballad. ∙ Clapton’s 1992 acoustic version of “Layla” for MTV Unplugged won a Grammy, adding to its legacy as one of the most acclaimed rock songs of all time.