Bobby Whitlock

Robert Stanley 'Bobby' Whitlock (born 18 March 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a songwriter and performer, best known as a member of Derek and the Dominos.

Biography

Most notably known for his involvement with "Derek & The Dominos" co-founder and co-writer of many of the songs that appear on "Layla and other Assorted Love Songs". Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Whitlock began his musical career while still a teenager at Stax, his first recording was hand claps on Sam & Dave's "I Thank You." Donald "Duck" Dunn and Steve Cropper were readying the very talented young Whitlock for pop success when Delaney & Bonnie, heard Whitlock perform at a club and invited him to join them in California and record on their record Home. in early 1970. His friendship with Clapton began when Whitlock was touring with Delaney & Bonnie, along with Carl Radle and Jim Gordon, whom Clapton admired greatly.

After the other band members left to join Mad Dogs and Englishmen with Joe Cocker, Whitlock collaborated with Eric Clapton in England. They played sessions together, most notably on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, where Whitlock and Clapton sang background (as the "O'Hara Smith Singers"). Whitlock remained uncredited on certain tracks of All Things Must Pass, where he played pump organ (Harmonium), Electric Wurlitzer, Hammond organ, tubular bells and piano on various songs.

Whitlock is credited as a writer or co-writer on six tracks from the album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. He and Clapton shared a friendship and would write together on their guitars. During the recording, the tape rolled non-stop for the entire album, with the exception of "Key to the Highway". Whitlock explains that this is why you hear this cut fading in. Originally, Jim Keltner was to be the drummer, but Jim Gordon intervened when he heard that Clapton was looking for a drummer and Keltner was busy finishing up his session with Gábor Szabó the jazz guitar player. The album saw little play for the first year, and by the time "Layla" became a hit, the band had already split up. Whitlock recorded his first solo album Bobby Whitlock/Bobby Whitlock. It included Clapton, Radle and Gordon. Essentially it was Derek & the Dominos last recording together. His second solo record Raw Velvet came immediately after. When Whitlock tried in vain to get Clapton to come out and play, realizing it was not going to happen (it took two years of waiting), he went back to the United States.

Whitlock went to England again after a short stint in the United States then moved to Ireland, where he lived for many years and became friends with Donovan. Whitlock had his own television show there and brought in Steve Cropper. Returning to the United States, he initially financed his own tour and has slowly made his way back into the music scene.

During the 1970s, Whitlock released four solo albums: the first, self-titled, was released in 1972. Raw Velvet featured Eric Clapton and Rick Vito on "Dearest I Wonder". After his 1976 album Rock Your Sox Off, Whitlock lay low for most of the 1980s and 1990s, living on a farm in Mississippi, raising his children, and doing session work.

In 1999, Bobby Whitlock returned to music with It's About Time and in 2000 appeared on the BBC's Jools Holland with Clapton. In 2001 he appeared on the Buddy Guy album Sweet Tea. Also in 2001, Whitlock and CoCo Carmel collaborated on Other Assorted Love Songs, consisting primarily of Whitlock's songs from the original Derek and the Dominos album. Whitlock and Carmel are married and live in Austin, Texas and have travelled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. Their newest release, a live recording titled Metamorphosis, features David Grissom and Stephen Bruton on guitar, Brannen Temple on drums, and James Fenner on percussion. Guest Willie Nelson plays on CoCo Carmel's True Love. Bobby Whitlock continues to write and has had several major artist cuts, including Ray Charles (Slip Away), Tom Jones (This Time There Won't Be No Next Time), and George Jones (He's Not Entitled to your Love). Numerous artists have recorded his material, including Sheryl Crow (Keep on Growin) and Derek Trucks (Anyday). Whitlock is currently working on his autobiography with music historian Marc Roberty (writer of over 30 books, twelve on Eric Clapton); the book is due out in 2010. In 2009 Whitlock and CoCo were invited by Billy Bob Thornton to cameo on a documentary of the life and times of Willie Nelson (release date unknown). During this year's Golden Globe Awards, "Layla" was played at the interlude during the lifetime achievement awards exposition of Martin Scorsese's film excerpts. It worked in a grand manner to enhance the sentimental footage from Martin's work.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

• Bobby Whitlock (1972)
• Raw Velvet (1972)
• One of a Kind (Bobby Whitlock album) (1975)
• Rock Your Sox Off (1976)
• It's About Time (Bobby Whitlock album) (1999)
• Other Assorted Love Songs, Live from Whitney Chapel (Bobby Whitlock and CoCo Carmel album) (2003)
• Lovers (Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel album) - release date: February 14, 2008
• Lovers The Master Demos (Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel album) - release date: June 2009
• Vintage (Bobby Whitlock album) - release date: August 2009
• My Time (Bobby Whitlock album) - release date: October 14, 2009
• Metamorphosis (Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel album) - release date: December 2009

See also

• Music of Austin

External links and sources

The Official Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel Website http://www.bobbywhitlockandcococarmel.com/

• Bobby Whitlock My Space Page
• Bobby Whitlock & Coco Carmel My Space Page
• Bobby Whitlock Article
• Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel- "Lovers" Album Article
• Bobby Whitlock Biography