Stax Records signed Whitlock as the first white artist to join singers like Otis Redding and Sam & Dave at the label.

Bobby Whitlock, the keyboardist, singer-songwriter and co-founder of the blues-rock band Derek and the Dominos, has died at the age of 77. Whitlock passed away early Sunday morning (Aug. 10) at 1:20 a.m. following a brief battle with cancer, his manager Carol Kaye confirmed to Variety. He died at his home in Texas, surrounded by family.

Bobby Whitlock, founding member of Derek and the Dominos whose soulful keyboard and vocals shaped the band’s only album, "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs," and whose session work is heard on records by George Harrison,