Coco, just saw your dog Turk with Bobby on the Reunion Rescue calendar. Cool looking dog!

Welcome CC. Let me say that your husband was no side man. He was as integral to D&D ( and other bands ) as EC was. Of course Duane certainly brought so much to Layla. But Bobby wrote and sang ( and of course played ) some of the greatest songs EVER. I love all the stories ! Keep them coming ! And Happy New Year too.

Thank you so much, it's really a pleasure to be on here. ABB fans are pretty amazing (you all).
I have never thought of Bobby as being a side man..ever. In the early days of Stax before D&B, Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn were preening Bobby to be a star, they knew that he had that star quality. Even before that, heavy people (Dewey Phillips DJ that broke Elvis Presley) were trying to get that kid to Nashville to record. When plans at Stax started going in a direction Bobby did not like (pop, stax wanted to get in on the British invasion sound) Bobby in typical fashion left it all behind and went to California to join Delaney and Bonnie which in some peoples eyes turned him into a sideman. Bobby went from singing Expressway to your Heart and fronting bands to as he says singing "chick parts" with D&B.
He was embarrassed by it, but it got him out of Memphis. You have to hand it to Bobby, he doesn't mind one bit throwing himself into the complete unknown and I am certain that is why he always lands on his feet.Those days with D&B would in the end serve him well, he used much of what he had learned and brought it to D&D and also the sessions with George Harrison on ATMP, specifically the background vocals, horn parts (which Bobby wrote for George) and other arrangement ideas like Tubular bells, pump organ etc.
When D&B fell apart, Bobby was the last to leave, all the others had been making plans to do different things altready (Eric didn't steal the band), some went off to join Joe Cocker Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Bobby was directed to Eric via Steve Cropper who still believed in him and thought that the two would really hit it off. And they did. Bobby had barely enough money for the taxi to Hurtwood, upon arriving Eric asked "What are you doing here" to which Bobby replied "You invited me".
The rest is history.
It was Bobby's instinctive move to leave the US again...when no other american had done that, suddenly Bobby Keys decided to move their and then more followed.
Bobbys greatest achievement as well as the rest of those guys (my opinion) was Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, then there is All Things Must Pass and I do believe Don't want to talk about Jesus (Stones) as well. The song he wrote for Ray Charles "Slip Away" isn't so bad either.
He is as you say a great writer, it comes so natural to him. Unfortunately a lot of that stuff has not been heard. We are happy about the re-release from Light in the Attic of Bobby's first two solo records from Dunhill.
Those two records have the Dominos last ever recordings on them.
Happy New Year to you and thanks so much for all the kind comments and questions.
CC

[Edited on 1/3/2016 by twobug]

[Edited on 1/3/2016 by twobug]

[Edited on 1/3/2016 by twobug]

[Edited on 1/3/2016 by twobug]

Coco, just saw your dog Turk with Bobby on the Reunion Rescue calendar. Cool looking dog!

Haha! that's great . Turk my boy.

Wondering if the vocals on D & D were arranged or just kind of happened? They certainly sound pretty loose and spontaneous, which is one of the things I love about the album. Wasn't Eric pretty reluctant to sing prior to that?

Bobby says they just happened, nothing was worked out. They both just sang on the spot, exactly how Bobby and I do now.

I'm not a regular poster here, but I have a few questions. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to ask them.

How did Duane interact with other musicians during the Layla sessions? He was relatively unknown at the time.

Were there many hanging out in the studio listening while the band recorded? ie: Were you playing for anyone besides yourselves?

Duane becoming a member of D&Ds has been told with major dispute. Did you speak with Duane about the subject? Can you remember what was said?

Thanks.

I'm not a regular poster here, but I have a few questions. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to ask them.

How did Duane interact with other musicians during the Layla sessions? He was relatively unknown at the time.

Were there many hanging out in the studio listening while the band recorded? ie: Were you playing for anyone besides yourselves?

Duane becoming a member of D&Ds has been told with major dispute. Did you speak with Duane about the subject? Can you remember what was said?

Thanks.

Hello James,
Bobby is going to come on to answer those questions specifically (he is busy at the moment).
These are great questions. The story of Duane and The Dominos is not complicated, I have noticed that fans are extremely protective and it is to say the least a very explosive subject, when it shouldn't be.
The simple fact is that Duane was asked to join the band. He said no, that he wouldn't leave his brother.
It's really that simple. Duane was relatively unknown at the time, and if you search the web, and I have, you can find articles that attest to the fact. On the shows he played live with the Dominos there was no mention of Duane. This again is just a fact. No bearing on Duane and his amazing talent.
Another fact is that when people die so young and tragically as Duane did, they become heroes. They become larger than life and often times worshipped. There seems to be a lot of emotion attached to Duane. This is where the difficulty comes in if anyone says anything that might tarnish his image.
I really don't think anyone wants to do that, but when the truth about something is said, it is generally shot down and usually results in a lot of anger and bad feelings.
There is one thing that we all know and that is these guys put out a body of work that changed our lives. They did it together, it will never happen again.
The bands demise was inevitable and Robert Stigwood hoped that Layla would never see the light of day. He was not happy with Eric having a band, especially an American one. He gave them six months (because of their drug use).
I can say that according to Bobby, during sessions, they were not using any kinds of drugs. They would party after.

[Edited on 1/3/2016 by twobug]

And yet another question.

After the Allman Brothers concert that Eric and Tom Dowd attended, they went back to the studio and jammed most of the night. Was the tape running during these jams? I've heard some jams on a boot or two and those were said to be during the recording of the Layla record. Just wondering if any of the initial jams from that night exist somewhere.

The jams were included in the Layla box-set.

Edit - Actually, looking at the accompanying book, Dowd says, "We got back, turned the tapes on and they went on for fifteen or eighteen hours like that. I went through two or three sets of engineers."

Dowd talks about the ABB's Miami show as being on a Saturday evening but the jams in question in the box are dated 27 August 1970, which was a Thursday.

I'm sure others will know the story behind the dates.

Anyway, there is nothing like 15-18 hours of jams in the box! One 12 min jam with EC, DA, DB, BW, GA, BO & BT, one 18 min jam with EC, DA, BW, CR & JG.

[Edited on 1/3/2016 by Shavian]

To James R
BW here,
Duane was a welcomed guest and an immediate friend at our sessions~I knew him already from Delaney and Bonnie days~He did the "To Bonnie from Delaney" and the "Motel Shot" records with us~We had been listening to the Allman Brothers when we were on the road in England after forming the Dominos, so Eric had heard him as well~But we never even thought of asking Duane to play with us until the sessions were underway~It was short and simple~Eric and Me and Duane were in Eric's room, the room where I took the photo of the both of them holding Eric's dobro~Eric and I had already discussed asking him to join~We ask him that night and he said point blank, "No, I won't leave my brother"~That was that and no more was said about it~Except for us asking him to sit in with us when he could, which he did~

There was no-one but us in the studio when we were recording~Not even engineers or Tom Dowd~Only We were allowed in the recording room~The engineers would come out and move a mic or something like that but they were back in the control room when we started to play~There was only one person who was allowed even on the premises when we were recording and that was Kay Poorboy~Her photo is on the sleeve of the album~

I am flabbergasted to read that DA did a Sam the Sham session at the same time he was working on Layla.

Mind boggling juxtaposition.

Wow ... Bobby, thanks so much for those insights into the Layla sessions and your relationship with Duane. As Coco so wisely pointed out, the people who haunt this site (me included, of course) are very emotional about our favorite band, but especially about Duane. That's why so many things that, when looked at from the outside, might seem trivial, but to us they mean a lot. Both of you, please be regular contributors to this site and enlighten and entertain us with as many remembrances as possible. Thanks again...

I am flabbergasted to read that DA did a Sam the Sham session at the same time he was working on Layla.

Mind boggling juxtaposition.

BW here~Sam the Sham was recording in studio B at Criteria at the same time we were recording the Layla record in studio A~Domingo Samudio is Sam's real name and he is from Memphis and is a family friend to this day, so I already knew him~He asked Eric and Me and Jim and Carl if we would play on his record as well, but we declined~Duane did it because he said that he could use the money~

Eric and Me and Duane were in Eric's room, the room where I took the photo of the both of them holding Eric's dobro~

Can you tell us a little about the origins of EC & Duane's take on "Mean Old World"?...that must have been something to witness..

Coco!
What a surprise and a blessing to have you drop into the forum here! My wife and I are big big fans! We didn't know BW was still touring until we stumbled across acoustic songs with you on them too and they have never left the playlist. We love those acoustic versions of the Layla tunes. Just like sitting on the back porch. They are full of soul!

We are happy to hear Bobby is getting writing credit where it is due. He is just a talented amazing musician.

Wondering if Bobby and Gregg ever got to sing together, two powerhouses if there ever was. Gregg was always pretty good at tiptoeing around the fringes of what Duane was doing.

I think a Bobby/Gregg combo with an all star band would be a show stopper.

Eric and Me and Duane were in Eric's room, the room where I took the photo of the both of them holding Eric's dobro~

Can you tell us a little about the origins of EC & Duane's take on "Mean Old World"?...that must have been something to witness..

All I know is they were in the studio by themselves~they decided what they were going to do~nobody was allowed in the studio~ It was just Duane and Eric ~and I think Jim Gordon was on the bass drum.

Coco!
What a surprise and a blessing to have you drop into the forum here! My wife and I are big big fans! We didn't know BW was still touring until we stumbled across acoustic songs with you on them too and they have never left the playlist. We love those acoustic versions of the Layla tunes. Just like sitting on the back porch. They are full of soul!

We are happy to hear Bobby is getting writing credit where it is due. He is just a talented amazing musician.

Wondering if Bobby and Gregg ever got to sing together, two powerhouses if there ever was. Gregg was always pretty good at tiptoeing around the fringes of what Duane was doing.

I think a Bobby/Gregg combo with an all star band would be a show stopper.

Hello..thank you for the lovely comments. Bobby and Gregg were good friends, and he was there for Bobby when his daughter was born...but they have never sung together. Sounds like a great idea to me.

Wow ... Bobby, thanks so much for those insights into the Layla sessions and your relationship with Duane. As Coco so wisely pointed out, the people who haunt this site (me included, of course) are very emotional about our favorite band, but especially about Duane. That's why so many things that, when looked at from the outside, might seem trivial, but to us they mean a lot. Both of you, please be regular contributors to this site and enlighten and entertain us with as many remembrances as possible. Thanks again...

x2. Very cool.

This topic started on the first day of 2016 and already has potential of becoming The Topic Of The Year!

Great stuff! Keep it coming!

And yet another question.

After the Allman Brothers concert that Eric and Tom Dowd attended, they went back to the studio and jammed most of the night. Was the tape running during these jams? I've heard some jams on a boot or two and those were said to be during the recording of the Layla record. Just wondering if any of the initial jams from that night exist somewhere.

The concert was attended by all of the Dominos..they were at Criteria recording the Layla record as you already know. It was Tom Dowd who mentioned the Allman Bros were playing close by and suggested they all go to see them after the session that day. They thought it was a great idea and did that very thing. Tom Dowd and the engineers remained behind to continue working whiile Bruce McCaskill drove them to the show in a station wagon.

Thanks for the great response to my questions. Still hoping you can fill in some blanks for me.

Not surprised by your remembrance of DA's casual decline of the offer to become a band member. I read another version in his daughter's book, but she couldn't have known what happened, only hearsay.

Did the band members know in Miami that they were creating such exquisite music?

When the album wasn't successful at first, were you able to hang on to the belief that your music would rise and keep rising over the years?

Can you comment on the days in Miami for the two guitarists? Some of my thoughts and please correct me.

EC had been declared god on a wall. It must have been a heavy weight for him and a wonderful release to come to the US just to make music for the love of it.

DA had 'eventual legend' stamped on his ass from birth. Even he couldn't have stopped his destiny. He wanted everyone to think he was just a member of the band, but he keeps rising to the top. Brilliant stars burn fast.

I hear an immediacy to your music lifting and pushing the songs. I say that's your southern background. What do you say?

Thanks again. Great posts here.

I am flabbergasted to read that DA did a Sam the Sham session at the same time he was working on Layla.

Mind boggling juxtaposition.

At that time, Sam Sumudio was trying to be a more "coventional" artist, not the more novelty performer he became after "Little Red Riding Hood" came out.

"Goin' Upstairs" from the Criteria sessions ended up on one of Duane's "Anthology" releases.

Wow ... Bobby, thanks so much for those insights into the Layla sessions and your relationship with Duane. As Coco so wisely pointed out, the people who haunt this site (me included, of course) are very emotional about our favorite band, but especially about Duane. That's why so many things that, when looked at from the outside, might seem trivial, but to us they mean a lot. Both of you, please be regular contributors to this site and enlighten and entertain us with as many remembrances as possible. Thanks again...

Yes. BW and Coco this is just an amazing thread. Thank you for all the insightful posts. Bobby you are an amazing musician/singer/ songwriter. Those of us who know the real deal always respected and loved your contributions to so many songs. God Bless .

Wow ... Bobby, thanks so much for those insights into the Layla sessions and your relationship with Duane. As Coco so wisely pointed out, the people who haunt this site (me included, of course) are very emotional about our favorite band, but especially about Duane. That's why so many things that, when looked at from the outside, might seem trivial, but to us they mean a lot. Both of you, please be regular contributors to this site and enlighten and entertain us with as many remembrances as possible. Thanks again...

Yes. BW and Coco this is just an amazing thread. Thank you for all the insightful posts. Bobby you are an amazing musician/singer/ songwriter. Those of us who know the real deal always respected and loved your contributions to so many songs. God Bless .

Thank you so much

[Edited on 1/5/2016 by twobug]

Wow ... Bobby, thanks so much for those insights into the Layla sessions and your relationship with Duane. As Coco so wisely pointed out, the people who haunt this site (me included, of course) are very emotional about our favorite band, but especially about Duane. That's why so many things that, when looked at from the outside, might seem trivial, but to us they mean a lot. Both of you, please be regular contributors to this site and enlighten and entertain us with as many remembrances as possible. Thanks again...

Yes. BW and Coco this is just an amazing thread. Thank you for all the insightful posts. Bobby you are an amazing musician/singer/ songwriter. Those of us who know the real deal always respected and loved your contributions to so many songs. God Bless .

Thank you very much
CC

[Edited on 1/5/2016 by twobug]

 

"Not surprised by your remembrance of DA's casual decline of the offer to become a band member. I read another version in his daughter's book, but she couldn't have known what happened, only hearsay. "

With all respect, which I mean sincerely, and without Galadrielle's book in front of me, what she mentioned regarding DA joining the Dominos is, I believe, from a letter DA wrote home. It is possible that EC asked DA more than once about it.

Bobby truthfully says what he knows, that does not mean that was the whole story. Seems everyone involved is a pretty straight up person - so - I plan to sit back an enjoy the different stories as they go.

Again, I'd like to thank CoCo and Bobby for being so incredibly kind and generous with their time to come on down to the ABB forum/porch and shoot the sh#t with all of us, this is a fantastic dream come true!

I have a question for Bobby - did you ever hear a song and just wish you wrote it? You've written so many great songs.

"Not surprised by your remembrance of DA's casual decline of the offer to become a band member. I read another version in his daughter's book, but she couldn't have known what happened, only hearsay. "

With all respect, which I mean sincerely, and without Galadrielle's book in front of me, what she mentioned regarding DA joining the Dominos is, I believe, from a letter DA wrote home. It is possible that EC asked DA more than once about it.

Bobby truthfully says what he knows, that does not mean that was the whole story. Seems everyone involved is a pretty straight up person - so - I plan to sit back an enjoy the different stories as they go.

Again, I'd like to thank CoCo and Bobby for being so incredibly kind and generous with their time to come on down to the ABB forum/porch and shoot the sh#t with all of us, this is a fantastic dream come true!

I have a question for Bobby - did you ever hear a song and just wish you wrote it? You've written so many great songs.

~Duane playing with us was never mentioned again after he said no in the first place~You don't get a second chance with Eric Clapton~Anyway, we were busy on the road and focusing on the next hotel and gig~
~As for a song that I wish that I had written?~There is none~I appreciate every song that I have ever heard for what it is and what's behind it and who wrote it~To wish that I had written it would be to take away from the one who did~I am very happy to simply appreciate "Whipping Post"~BW~

Bobby & Ms. CoCo, a big thanks again for gracing the threads of this forum!

For anyone that has not seen Ms. CoCo or Bobby in concert.... you are missing one hell of a show.
I was most fortunate to spend a little of time with both a recent show in Nashville & I had to pinch myself just to make sure I was not dreaming... the co-founder of arguably the best band ever & co-writer/writer of 7 of the 14 tracks for one of the greatest albums of all times. (Sorry but I'm proud to be bias).

One question... and one that has been discussed many times on this forum.
How many live shows did Duane play with the Dominos & which shows were they??

A prayer for your good health & prosperity for you both!
Get back to Nashville soon!! ..... Tony

What a nice surprise popping on the board and reading this thread.

Thank you Miss Coco and Bobby for the insight into your memories.

For those of you interested, and with a lot of time on your hands as it's a very long thread, here's a link to the Steve Hoffman Music Forum thread that triggered Bobby's book.

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/the-bobby-whitlock-derek-and-the-dominos-thread.160164/

Thanks for the great response to my questions. Still hoping you can fill in some blanks for me.

Not surprised by your remembrance of DA's casual decline of the offer to become a band member. I read another version in his daughter's book, but she couldn't have known what happened, only hearsay.

Did the band members know in Miami that they were creating such exquisite music?

When the album wasn't successful at first, were you able to hang on to the belief that your music would rise and keep rising over the years?

Can you comment on the days in Miami for the two guitarists? Some of my thoughts and please correct me.

EC had been declared god on a wall. It must have been a heavy weight for him and a wonderful release to come to the US just to make music for the love of it.

DA had 'eventual legend' stamped on his ass from birth. Even he couldn't have stopped his destiny. He wanted everyone to think he was just a member of the band, but he keeps rising to the top. Brilliant stars burn fast.

I hear an immediacy to your music lifting and pushing the songs. I say that's your southern background. What do you say?

Thanks again. Great posts here.

You will have to ask a question or two at a time...when there are more than that Bobby can't answer..it's too much.
Thanks,
CC

[Edited on 1/5/2016 by twobug]