Jim Gordon

Gordon began playing drums professionally at just 17, touring with the Everly Brothers in 1963. He grew into a sought-after session drummer whose list of credits is long and impressive. Among the genre-defining albums Gordon played on are the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” George Harrison’s (1943–2001) “All Things Must Pass,” and the Byrds’ “The Notorious Byrd Brothers.” His drums can be heard on singles including “Rikki Don’t Lose that Number” by Steely Dan,” “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon, “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams, “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot, “Marrakesh Express” by Crosby, Stills, & Nash, and many more.

In 1970, Gordon joined Eric Clapton as he formed Derek and the Dominos, playing on classic tunes including “Bell Bottom Blues” and “Layla.” Gordon is credited with writing the piano coda to “Layla,” though his authorship has been disputed in later years. The many other artists he toured and recorded with include Traffic, Joe Cocker (1944–2014), Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, Hall & Oates, and Frank Zappa (1940–1993). Gordon’s drum break on “Apache” by the Incredible Bongo Band has been widely sampled in hip hop.