The co-writer for one of rock’s most famous songs remains in prison, serving a life sentence for killing his mother in 1983 with a hammer and butcher knife.
Jim Gordon was the drummer for Eric Clapton’s “Derek and the Dominos” and helped co-write the 1970 Grammy Award-winning song, “Layla.” Gordon played the piano part, which allegedly he stole from his then-girl friend, Rita Coolidge. Either way, he played drums for Clapton and some of the biggest names in music for a couple decades, proving to be a highly sought after session drummer in the Los Angeles music scene.
He played drums on numerous hit recordings for the likes of The Beach Boys, Traffic, George Harrison, Joe Cocker, Carly Simon, Nancy Sinatra, Steely Dan, The Byrds, etc. Unfortunately, Gordon was a schizophrenic who abused drugs and alcohol. He heard his mother’s voice in his head constantly. It eventually drove him to kill her in 1983. He was sentenced to 16 years to life. He had sought psychiatric help over a dozen times, beginning as early as 1978 to no avail.
Monday, he was denied parole for the 10th time, but the first time that his family sided with the prosecution, not wanting him to return to society. They, and others, believe he’s a threat to himself and others.
Doc Watson
