Jim Gordon was the drummer for Derek and the Dominos, who cowrote their song “Layla” and also played on many other hits of the 1960s and ‘70s.
- Died: March 13, 2023 (Who else died on March 13?)
- Details of death: Died at California Medical Facility in Vacavillle, California of natural causes at the age of 77.
Musical career
Gordon began playing drums professionally at just 17, touring with the Everly Brothers in 1963. He grew into a sought-after session drummer whose list of credits is long and impressive. Among the genre-defining albums Gordon played on are the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” George Harrison’s (1943–2001) “All Things Must Pass,” and the Byrds’ “The Notorious Byrd Brothers.” His drums can be heard on singles including “Rikki Don’t Lose that Number” by Steely Dan,” “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon, “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams, “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot, “Marrakesh Express” by Crosby, Stills, & Nash, and many more.
In 1970, Gordon joined Eric Clapton as he formed Derek and the Dominos, playing on classic tunes including “Bell Bottom Blues” and “Layla.” Gordon is credited with writing the piano coda to “Layla,” though his authorship has been disputed in later years. The many other artists he toured and recorded with include Traffic, Joe Cocker (1944–2014), Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, Hall & Oates, and Frank Zappa (1940–1993). Gordon’s drum break on “Apache” by the Incredible Bongo Band has been widely sampled in hip hop.
Schizophrenia and murder conviction
Gordon began suffering from schizophrenia, the symptoms of which were initially misdiagnosed as alcohol abuse. His mental health deteriorated over the years until, in 1983, he murdered his mother, later saying that the voices he heard had told him to do so. After his arrest, he was formally diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was sentenced to 16 years to life for the murder. Gordon spent the rest of his life in prison, denied parole several times.
Tributes to Jim Gordon
Full obituary: Variety
