Layla

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the iconic "Layla" by Derek & The Dominos from the Crossroads compilation! This track, originally from the 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, is a masterpiece of unrequited love and blistering guitar riffs. One juicy tidbit comes from Eric Clapton himself, who revealed in interviews that "Layla" was inspired by his intense, secret love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his close friend George Harrison. The song’s title draws from the 12th-century Persian poem The Story of Layla and Majnun, which Clapton read and deeply connected with, mirroring his own hopeless longing. Clapton shared in a 2018 Uncut interview, “There seem to have been a series of crossroads in my life and ‘Layla’ came at one of them… I was getting involved with this woman who was already married to my best friend.” The emotional rawness of the track still knocks him out, as he’s said it feels like listening to a band he’s just a fan of, not one he led.

Another fascinating story involves the song’s unforgettable guitar riff, crafted by guest collaborator Duane Allman. According to Songfacts, Allman adapted a lick from Albert King’s “As The Years Go Passing By,” speeding it up to create the iconic opening that defines "Layla." Allman and Clapton met by chance at an Allman Brothers concert in Miami on August 26, 1970, introduced by producer Tom Dowd. Their instant musical chemistry led to Allman contributing slide guitar to 11 of the album’s 14 tracks, transforming Clapton’s original ballad into a rock epic. Bobby Whitlock, the band’s keyboardist, recalled in a Guitar Player interview that the sessions were fast and live, with tracks like "Layla" captured in just one or two takes. However, the song’s famous piano coda, credited to drummer Jim Gordon, has sparked controversy. Rita Coolidge, Gordon’s then-girlfriend, claimed in her memoir Delta Lady that she co-wrote it, but received no credit, a point Whitlock disputed, arguing it didn’t fit the song’s raw soul.

The song’s journey didn’t end in 1970. Initially, "Layla" flopped as a single in 1971, partly due to its 7:10 length and the band’s anonymity—Clapton deliberately hid his name to avoid the spotlight. But by 1972, after Duane Allman’s tragic death in a motorcycle accident, the full version hit number 10 in the U.S. and number seven in the U.K. Clapton’s 1992 acoustic version for MTV Unplugged introduced "Layla" to a new generation, winning a Grammy for Best Rock Song, though some argued the win was sentimental due to personal tragedies in Clapton’s life. Fans on Reddit have raved about the album, with users like u/Krokodrillo calling “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad” a standout, and others praising the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s 2021 cover album Layla Revisited. A 2024 post by @20th_Centurygal on X highlighted “Bell Bottom Blues” as a favorite, showing the album’s enduring love among fans.

Now, let’s rewind to how Derek & The Dominos came to be. Eric Clapton, the driving force behind the band, started his career in the early 1960s with the London blues scene. Born in 1945 in Surrey, England, Clapton picked up the guitar as a teen, inspired by American blues legends like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. He first gained fame with The Yardbirds in 1963, where his fiery solos earned him a cult following. By 1965, he joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, cementing his reputation as a blues purist. His nickname “Slowhand” emerged from fans clapping slowly in awe of his playing. Clapton then formed Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker in 1966, creating psychedelic blues-rock hits like “Sunshine of Your Love.” After Cream’s breakup in 1968, Clapton briefly joined Blind Faith, but found its supergroup hype overwhelming.

Seeking a low-key vibe, Clapton joined Delaney & Bonnie and Friends in 1969, where he met Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, and Jim Gordon. When those three left Delaney & Bonnie in 1970, Clapton saw a chance to form a new band focused on tight, bluesy camaraderie rather than stardom. Thus, Derek & The Dominos was born, named partly to obscure Clapton’s fame and partly inspired by a mispronounced introduction as “Eric & The Dynamos” at their first gig, as noted in Rolling Stone. Their only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, recorded with Duane Allman’s crucial contributions, became a classic despite initial commercial struggles. The band dissolved in 1971 amid personal conflicts and drug issues, but their legacy endures.

For more on Eric Clapton and Derek & The Dominos, check out Clapton’s official website at ericclapton.com. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on tours and releases. Fans can dive deeper at WheresEric.com, a dedicated fan site with news, discographies, and forums. Join the Eric Clapton Fans group on Facebook to connect with fellow Zoo Freaks who live for the bluesy riffs of “Layla” and beyond. Keep it groovy, and stay tuned to THE ZOO for more classic vibes!