Jim Gordon, Wrecking Crew Drummer Convicted of Murdering Mother, Dead at 77

Jim Gordon, a Wrecking Crew session drummer and member of Eric Clapton’s band Derek and the Dominos who was recognized with schizophrenia after murdering his mom, has died on the age of 77.

In 1983, Gordon murdered his mom in a psychotic episode. He was sentenced to 16 years to life, however by no means confirmed up for any of his parole hearings. As of this yr, he was serving his sentence at California Medical Facility in Vacaville, the place he died of pure causes on Wednesday (March fifteenth), as confirmed by a consultant.

Born James Beck Gordon in Southern California, he started taking part in drums in his early teenagers and shortly developed a popularity as a gifted and versatile musician.

Gordon’s huge break got here within the late Sixties when he was employed as a session drummer for quite a lot of in style bands and musicians, together with The Seaside Boys, The Monkees, and The Byrds. With legendary drummer Hal Blaine as his mentor, Gordon quickly grew to become a member of the group of session musicians referred to as The Wrecking Crew, who performed on numerous hit songs throughout the Sixties and Seventies.

In 1970, Gordon joined forces with Eric Clapton to type the band Derek and the Dominos, who recorded the oft-covered hit “Layla.” Gordon was additionally featured on George Harrison’s landmark 1970 solo album, All Issues Should Move. His taking part in was additionally heard on Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ self-titled LP, Steely Dan’s Pretzel Logic, Alice Cooper’s Alice Cooper Goes to Hell, Frank Zappa’s Apostrophe (‘), and dozens extra.