Layla: Jim Gordon’s Masterpiece
JAMES BECK “JIM” GORDON, a prime drummer for ERIC CLAPTON, GEORGE HARRISON and others, who was recognized as a schizophrenic after murdering his mom in 1983, has handed on the age of 77 from pure causes at CALIFORNIA MEDICAL FACILITY in VACAVILLE, CA, after an extended incarceration and lifelong battle with psychological sickness.
As one of many elite HOLLYWOOD studio musicians generally known as the WRECKING CREW and member of landmark rock bands reminiscent of DEREK AND THE DOMINOS, JOE COCKER’s MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN and DELANEY & BONNIE AND FRIENDS, GORDON was generally known as one of the vital gifted drummers in rock historical past. He was one of many primary drummers on GEORGE HARRISON’s “All Issues Should Cross.”
He introduced percussive brilliance to among the best-known information of his lifetime with THE BEACH BOYS, GEORGE HARRISON, ERIC CLAPTON and extra. As a session musician, he performed on #1 hits by GORDON LIGHTFOOT, STEELY DAN, CARLY SIMON and HARRY NILSSON throughout his 15-year profession. He performed an vital half within the music of artists throughout the spectrum of pop music — from MERLE HAGGARD to FRANK ZAPPA, JOAN BAEZ and TOM PETTY.
The SAN FERNANDO VALLEY native started his skilled profession the day after he graduated highschool in 1963 with THE EVERLY BROTHERS. He minimize his tooth as a session musician on hit information by THE BEACH BOYS, SONNY & CHER, NANCY SINATRA, GLEN CAMPBELL, amongst many others, earlier than becoming a member of DEREK AND THE DOMINOES as co-author of “Layla.” His work on the INCREDIBLE BONGO BAND’s 1972 tune “Apache” is likely one of the most sampled drum breaks in hip-hop historical past.
