Jim Gordon, the drummer for Derek and the Dominos and a prolific session musician, who was later convicted of murdering his mom, has died on the age of 77.
Gordon’s passing was confirmed by way of press launch, which famous he died of “pure causes” following “an extended incarceration and lifelong battle with psychological sickness.”
Gordon was born and raised in Los Angeles. At 17, he was provided a scholarship to UCLA’s music program, however turned it all the way down to as a substitute be a part of up with the Everly Brothers. So started a profession that noticed Gordon behind the drum equipment for a few of rock’s most celebrated releases.
As a member of the Wrecking Crew group of session musicians, Gordon performed on such basic LPs because the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and The Notorious Byrd Brothers by the Byrds.
In 1969 Gordon met Eric Clapton, as each musicians performed within the backing band for Delaney & Bonnie. Clapton would later take Gordon – together with bassist Carl Radle and keyboardist Bobby Whitlock – for his new group, Derek and the Dominos. They first served because the backing band for George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass earlier than recording their very own, seminal album.
The group’s 1970 double LP, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, would change into a landmark launch, commonly ranked among the many biggest rock albums of all time. Gordon performed drums on the entire tracks, and even contributed piano on the album’s iconic single, “Layla,” which he co-wrote with Clapton.
Derek and the Dominos broke up in 1971 and by no means completed recording their second album. Gordon remained an in-demand drummer for a few years, working with Joe Cocker’s Mad Canines and Englishmen, Traffic, Harry Nilsson and Frank Zappa. Gordon performed Art Garfunkel’s 1973 album Angel Clare, Steely Dan‘s Pretzel Logic (1974) and contributed to a few tracks on Alice Cooper‘s 1976 LP, Alice Cooper Goes to Hell. His additional profession credit included work with Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Neil Diamond, Hall & Oates, Randy Newman, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and John Lennon (that’s Gordon enjoying on “Energy to the Individuals”).
Although Gordon’s profession was definitely spectacular, his life took a darkish and tragic aspect.
On June 3, 1983, Gordon stabbed and killed his 72-year-old mom. The drummer claimed {that a} voice inside his head instructed him to do it. After his arrest, the musician was recognized with schizophrenia. He was later sentenced to 16 years to life in jail. Regardless of being eligible for parole since 1991, he remained incarcerated till the top of his life. Reports indicated Gordon was “critically psychologically incapacitated” and “a hazard when he’s not taking his remedy.”
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