Jim Gordon, drummer with Derek and the Dominos and co-writer, along with Eric Clapton, of their iconic hit, "Layla," passed on Monday at the age of 77. Jim died from natural causes at the California Medical Facility in Vacavillle after a long stay there and battle with mental illness. He had been diagnosed as schizophrenic.
Gordon was from California's San Fernando Valley where he started his career the day after graduating high school in 1963, joining with The Everly Brothers.
Graham Nash commented on passing. He said, “I first saw him play in the early sixties with The Everly Brothers. I wish Jim had given [his, Gordon’s, and Nash’s former] girlfriend Rita Coolidge credit for writing the piano part that changes the tempo in ‘Layla’ instead of claiming that he wrote it.”
Gordon played drums on the Crosby, Stills & Nash classic “Marrakesh Express.”
Derek and the Dominos are down to three surviving members -- Clapton, Bobby Whitlock and Dave Mason. Duane Allman, who like Mason, also had a brief time with the band, died in 1971, and bassist Carl Radle passed away back in 1980.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]