By Randy Patterson, Boomerocity.com
Classic rock aficionados are all quite aware of the place that great songs from great bands from our youth hold in our minds and hearts today. Bands like Derek and the Dominos and their huge hit “Layla,” George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, the Rolling Stones’ album Exile on Main St., Buddy Guy’s Sweet Tea album, and Delaney & Bonnie and Friends’ hit “Never Ending Song of Love,” among many others.
One common thread among those great bands and songs is Bobby Whitlock. Memphis born and bred, Bobby is a master musician and has either written or co-written the above songs, as well as played and sung on them.
It comes as no surprise that Memphis is bestowing one of its most prestigious honors to their homeboy by giving Bobby Whitlock his own Brass Music Note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame. Beale Street is one of the world’s most iconic streets. It is a National Historic Landmark. It’s three blocks of clubs, restaurants, and shops in downtown Memphis that are devoted to music. Memphis is the “Home of the Blues” and the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and Beale Street is a melting pot of Delta Blues, Jazz, Rock, R&B, and Gospel. There is no other place like it, and every musician knows the magic of Beale Street and Memphis Music.
During the redevelopment of Beale Street, a program was started of awarding Brass Music Notes honoring the musicians and music industry people who made Memphis Music and Beale Street known throughout the world. The Notes are embedded into the sidewalks of the street. Consequently, it’s no surprise that Bobby Whitlock’s Brass Music Note is being added to this illustrious list of music giants this year.
Asked about how he felt about receiving such a distinctive honor, Bobby said, “Well, there was a point in time where I really didn’t think anybody cared. I knew they acknowledged my input on all those great records, you know, ‘Layla’ and All Things Must Pass. There’s a list of them. But, you know, I didn’t think too much about my past, and how people felt about it was not my business; it was not my affair how anyone feels.
“My business is to try to conduct myself as a decent person and a gentleman as much as I can, get through this world, navigate through this without making too many waves. But when you make them, make them big – ones to remember. All of the sudden, everything seems to have turned around, and I wasn’t looking for it, that’s for sure.
“I knew my input and I was good with it. I was all right with myself whether anybody ever acknowledged anything I’ve ever done or not, I was good with it. I’ve got a great life. I paint every day. I’m really good with doing what I do. It’s just another extension of who I am. And I’ve been blessed in each and every way, everywhere I turn around, you know, it’s just nothing but a blessing for me.”
Bobby and I also talked about looking back on his career. He told me about the early days when the creativity was flowing and he was working with others on new, but now classic, songs and recordings.
“I was the first ‘friend’ – it started out with Delaney & Bonnie and me. And then people came to us. He (Delaney) was playing acoustic guitar, and we were singing. And we went all over doing just that. Then Leon (Russell) wanted to be in, J.J. Cale, Jerry McGee on guitar, and Bobby Keys, and then Jim Price, and then Jim Keltner, and then Jim Gordon. Then, of course, Carl Radle came through there. But we were the beginning of that whole thing. And it was a clear picture then when it was all going down. Then (Joe Cocker’s) Mad Dogs and Englishmen happened. (Meaning when several of Delaney & Bonnie’s band left for Cocker’s new band.) I did one more album with Delaney & Bonnie and that’s when we got connected with Duane (Allman). I was connected with Duane long before the Layla album, and so it’s been a beautiful journey for me – to be a part of it.
“I know the role I played in everything. There wasn’t but one me. I couldn’t be replaced. You could get somebody else to play and sing, but it wouldn’t be Bobby Whitlock. I know the role that I’ve been playing in everyone’s music that I was a part of. Because my addition made that music mine as well – whether it’s a Jeff Healy record or whatever. I put my stamp on it.”
There is much more to this interview where Bobby talks about what prompted him to leave Austin, how unplanned the hit, “Layla,” actually was, and what’s next for him and his wife, Coco Carmel, that you can watch on Boomerocity.com, YouTube, or listen to on any of the major podcast platforms.
Launched in 2009, Randy’s Boomerocity The Fan Experience has more than 500 positive, sincere, one-on-one interview conversations that show fans the true heart of the Baby Boomer generation of musicians, entertainers, and their associates, as well as today’s icons, influencers, and up-and-comers in music.