Everybody will know one of the greatest songs ever recorded, "Layla" by Derek & the Dominos. The greatest track of the career of Eric Clapton. But how many know that the Dominos drummer Jim Gordon, co-wrote the track with Clapton, and indeed, played the piano coda, at the end. What is not known is that in 1984, Gordon was charged with murdering his mother. He repeatedly beat her over the head, and then stabbed her to death. Gordon, 38, claimed that he kept hearing voices in his head and the voice belonged to his mother. His defence was one of insanity but this was rejected by the Judge. He was sent to a secure mental hospital. He later said he used to receive cards from Clapton but this stopped after a couple of years.
Jim Gordon was one of the top session drummers on the West Coast of the U.S. supporting many top names including John Lennon & George Harrison. He was with Delaney & Bonnie when Clapton joined them for a tour. He then formed the Dominos with Gordon, Carl Radle (who later on died from a heroin overdose) and Bobby Whitlock.
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