Jim Gordon Dies: Wrecking Crew Drummer & ‘Layla’ Co-Writer Later Convicted Of Murder Was 77
deadline.comJim Gordon, a prolific and in-demand session drummer for dozens of acts who joined Eric Clapton in writing “Layla” for their band Derek and the Dominos and later was convicted of murdering his mother, died Monday at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, CA.
He was 77. Publicist Bob Merlis said Gordon, who and had been in prison for 40 years and struggled with mental health issues, died of natural causes.
Born in Los Angeles, Gordon was part of the Wrecking Crew, the core group of studio musicians who played on scads of hits records for dozens of acts.
He was behind the kit for such memorable 1960s albums as the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and Crosby, Stills & Nash’s eponymous debut and also played with Joe Cocker on his famed tour that produced the seminal live album Mad Dogs and Englishmen.
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