At the age of 77, Bobby Whitlock, a co-founder of Derek and the Dominos and an Eric Clapton collaborator, died.
Bobby Whitlock, a passionate vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist who joined Eric Clapton in founding Derek and the Dominos and contributed to George Harrison's innovative solo work, passed away. The music industry is in grief.Whitlock passed away on Sunday at the age of 77 after a brief battle with cancer, his manager Carol Kaye confirmed to Variety.
@ClaudiasWorkshop 
From Poverty to Rock ‘n’ Roll Royalty
Born into abject poverty in the American South, Whitlock’s rise to fame reads like a rock-and-roll fairy tale. From humble beginnings, he went on to help create one of the most enduring albums in music history Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs and collaborated with
some of the 20th century's most significant painters. His wife, Coco Carmel Whitlock, shared an emotional tribute through CBS News: “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. Farewell my Love, I’ll see you in my dreams.”
Tributes from Friends and Fellow Legends
Eric Clapton, Whitlock’s friend and former bandmate, honored him in a heartfelt Facebook post:
“Our dear friend Bobby Whitlock has passed away at 77. On this terrible day, we send our deepest sympathies to Bobby's wife CoCo and his family. Rest in peace, Bobby xx.
A Durable Musical Heritage
In addition to his work with Derek and the Dominos, Whitlock's soulful voice and exquisite piano playing can be heard on other collaborations that combined gospel, blues, and rock influences, as well as George Harrison's All Things Must Pass.He was never just a musician; he also had storytelling, passion, and an unflinching honesty that appealed to all ages.
Bobby Whitlock's journey from dirt backroads to the world stage is an ode to perseverance, passion, and the transformational power of music. Long after the last note dies, his songs and spirit will still be heard.
