After Eric Clapton arrived in Miami to begin work on a new record things weren't off to a great start. Atlantic Records producer Tom Dowd (who also worked with The Allman Brothers Band) suggested a "field trip' of sorts, to go catch Duane Allman +Co. playing nearby. Clapton by all accounts was floored by Allmans playing and after the gig, invited the whole band back to Criteria Studios for a late-night jam/after party.
Legend has it the two guitar legends instantly bonded amidst their mutual respect and admiration of each other. Duane asked if he could come back the next day and watch recording sessions . Clapton agreed but only if Allman would sit and play on some tracks.
Ten days later, Allman contributed to 11 of the 14 songs of what would become Layla ....And Other Assorted Love Songs under the title of Derek and the Dominos. The collaborative effort produced some of the most memorable tracks like "Layla", "Anyday", "Why Does Love got to be so sad" and "Have You Ever Loved a Woman". Clapton has described Allman as "the musical brother that I never had, but wished I did". And to think: if Producer Tom Dowd hadn't convinced E.C. to attend that concert on that night 49 years ago, this majestic, guitar duet may have never happened......
via The Blues Foundation/College of Classic Rock Knowledge
Follow @kennyyoungzlx on FB/IG/TW