Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel
Bobby Whitlock is perhaps most well known for being a member of the band Derek & The Dominos, recording and co-producing one of Rock and Rolls most important records in history “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs”. He remains the only true writing partner of Eric Clapton, writing memorable songs such as "Tell the Truth", "Keep on Growing", " I Looked Away", "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad", "Anyday" and "Roll It Over".
He represents the true southern blues/soul singer, which is exactly what Eric Clapton needed after the Delaney & Bonnie experience. Bobby had songwriting skills that Eric also admired which me mentions in the introduction of Bobby’s recently released autobiography.
From his time at Stax hanging with Albert King, listening to The Staple Singers record “Long Walk to D.C.”, becoming the first white artist on their HIP Label, to being the original “Friend” with Delaney & Bonnie, to Derek & The Dominos, being part of the core band for George Harrisons massive hit record “All Things Must Pass”, Bobby Whitlock’s life is rich in history.
He and Eric, along with Carl Radle and Jim Gordon were the core band for the most successful solo record by a Beatle, George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass”.
“Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs” celebrated its 40th year in 2011and is considered to be one of the most influential groundbreaking records in the history of rock-n-roll.
In 1998 Derek & the Dominos’ “Layla” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and in 2000, Derek & the Dominos were inducted for their record “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs”. This year 2012, the record is Grammy Nominated once again.
Bobby’s talent for writing has produced hits for artists like Ray Charles (Slip Away), George Jones (Someone You Used to Know), and others. The Allman Brothers continue to play many of the Domino’s songs, as do The Black Crows, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeshi Band, and Sheryl Crow.
In 2001 while promoting his CD “It’s About Time”, Eric joined Bobby again to play a few numbers on the popular television show Later with Jools Holland including Bell Bottom Blues and “It’s About Time” from Bobby’s 2000 solo record of the same title.
Bobby had known CoCo for several years through old band mate, Delaney Bramlett. Bobby knew the moment he heard her sing that her vocals were an exact match for him and that they needed to be together. Her sax, guitar, bass playing and studio skills were an added bonus. After living in various cities around the U.S, they decided to settle Austin. They have been performing every Sunday at The Saxon Pub since. She has produced and co/produced several records
including her own “First Fruit” released in 2010, with ex Delaney Bramlett and all of the Bobby Whitlock/ CoCo Carmel cd’s. Her latest Bobby Whitlock/ CoCo Carmel production, “Esoteric” is due out this March 2012.
In 2007 with friend Stephen Bruton and a formidable band including David Grissom, Eric Johnson, Brannen Temple, Bobby and CoCo performed their smoking version of “Layla” and “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” for a crowd of twenty thousand at “The Road to Austin” along with Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson and a host of other hand-picked acts.
In September 2008 Bobby and Marc Roberty (writer of over a dozen books on Eric Clapton and noted music historian), collaborated on Bobby’s autobiography “Bobby Whitlock A Rock-n-Roll Autobiography” which was released in early 2011 and has been number one Top Rated book in Rock Music on Amazon for over a year. The book covers Bobby’s life story, from picking cotton as a boy to being one of the most respected musicians in the world. CoCo’s photography has landed her the cover and back of the book as well as gracing the cover of Keyboard Magazine, Hittin’ the Note, Buscadero, Delta Magazine and Where’s Eric online e-zine.
Today, with a new band in place, boasting the finest musicians in town; Brannen Temple on drums, Jeff Plankenhorn on guitar and newcomer to Austin Robbie Venturini on bass, Bobby maintains it is ”The finest band I have played with since Derek & The Dominos”. Shows include many of the Dominos songs as well as tracks off the newest release