Derek and the Dominos - Layla

Derek and the Dominos

Derek and the Dominos were a blues-rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton guitarist with keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon, who had all played with Clapton in Delaney, Bonnie & Friends. Duane Allman was also invited by Clapton to sessions to add slide guitar to a number of tracks.

The band released only one studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, which featured prominent lead guitar from guitarist Duane Allman with one of the most prolific and most memorable contributions in rock music on the album's title track Layla along with powerful slide guitar work throught the songs on which he contributed to within the album of the Allman Brothers Band. The album went on to receive critical acclaim, but initially faltered in sales and in radio airplay. Although released in 1970 it was not until March 1972 that the album's single "Layla" (a tale of unrequited love inspired by Clapton's relationship with his friend George Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd Harrison) would make the top ten in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The album, which has received praise from both critics and fans alike, is often considered to be the defining achievement of Clapton's career.