Jim Gordon passed away on Monday, March 13. The news of the artist’s death has been made public over the last few days.
Jim Gordon is one of the most renowned drummers of the late 1960s and early 1970s. His name is written in gold in the history of popular music thanks to his involvement in some of the most iconic albums and hit songs of the day.
He was born on July 14, 1945 r. in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles county. He started his professional career at the age of 17, as the protégé of Hal Blaine – one of the greatest session drummers ever. Gordon’s first pro gig was backing the Everly Brothers. Then, he went on to work with such stars as: The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Delaney & Bonnie (z Erikiem Claptonem w składzie), George Harrison, Derek and the Dominos (znów z Erikiem Claptonem), Joe Cocker, Traffic, Harry Nilsson, Frank Zappa, Art Garfunkel, Steely Dan, Alice Cooper, Duane Allman, Joan Baez, The Carpenters, Eric Clapton, Cher, Crosby Stills & Nash, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Dr. John, Hall & Oates, Albert Hammond, John Lee Hooker, B. B. King, Carol King, John Lennon, Randy Newman, Barbra Streisand, or Tom Waits.
The most notable albums and songs recorded with Gordon as the drummer include:
- The Beach Boys – “Pet Sounds“
- Eric Clapton – “Eric Clapton” (incl. the song “After Midnight“)
- Derek and the Dominos – “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs” (incl. the hit “Layla“)
- Joe Cocker – “Mad Dogs and Englishmen“
- George Harrison – “All Things Must Pass“
- John Lennon – “Power to the People“
- Steely Dan – “Pretzel Logic” (incl. the single “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number“)
- Frank Zappa – “Apostrophe“
The drum loop of his drum part taken from the cover version of The Shadows’ “Apache“, recorded with Incredible Bongo Band, is one of the most frequently sampled drum breaks in history.
Jim Gordon suffered from schizofrenia, which he was diagnosed with after he had murdered his mother in 1983. He claimed he had heard voices which told him to do it. He spent the rest of his life in prison, where he died of natural causes.
