I first remember seeing the name Derek and the Dominos back in June 1970 as WOLF Radio received a Atco promotional single of their song "Tell The Truth" b/w "Roll It Over" produced by the Hall of Fame producer Phil Spector. With Phil's name we all had to listen to this up tempo track. The band consisted of former Delaney, Bonnie & Friends band members Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, Jim Gordon along with the British blues guitar great Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds).
Well, this single disappeared quickly and was not released commercially. We next heard the band (minus Phil Spector) was recording an album titled "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" at Criteria Studio in Miami starting in late August 1970. Now the Syracuse story begins, we received notice that Derek & The Dominos along with Toe Fat was scheduled to play the War Memorial October 18, 1970. This date quickly changed as their album was not yet completed. It was re-scheduled for December 2, 1970 with the addition of Elton John (yes that Elton John). The negative was that the band could not be advertised as Eric Clapton only as Derek and the Dominos, Derek is Eric.
For me the name Eric Clapton was already legendary. I couldn't wait to watch him perform or if I was lucky get an interview. I arrived early at this WOLF event and caught Toe Fat's set, watched Elton from backstage with anticipation of catching Clapton's entrance. The War Memorial side security door opened and in came the band who quickly went to their second floor dressing room. I introduced myself to their manager and asked for an interview with Clapton . He replied "I'll see want I can do."
A half hour went by and things didn't look good. As the band came down the stairs and entered the backstage area their manager spoke to Eric and he quickly asked me if I wanted to get in a picture with the Eric and the band. In what only took one minute of time that photo was taken. That was one of the greatest moment in my 48 year musical career. Little did I know that to my left stood Duane Allman who was playing as a special guest with the band that evening. Allman played with them in concert just twice.. The night before in Miami, here in Syracuse and never again. As you know he was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident about a year later. Tickets for Derek & the Dominos concert were priced at $5.50, $4.50, $3.50
As for the song "Layla" it finally became a monster hit and entered the WOLF Radio music survey on June 26, 1972 peaking at number #9.
Eric Clapton would play two more concerts in Syracuse on May 29, 1979 with Muddy Waters at the War Memorial and again at the Carrier Dome April 7, 1990.
I agree. One of the best concerts. Our group from Transcontinent Records (Rochester One Stop) were aware of Elton John and it was an extra treat seeing him so early in his carrier.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story about the Syracuse Derek and the Dominos War Memorial Concert in October 1970. I had tickets for the October show and knew full well that Derek was Eric Clapton but apparently they were unable to use his name in marketing and ticket sales were very slow so they postponed the concert until December. I even remember that the War Memorial was divided so only half of the arena was used. In the interm between October and December another act was added to the Derek and the Dominos and Toe Fat original ticket...an unheard of singer /piano player named Elton John. Needless to say I remember thinking Wow...this guy is REALLY good!🤭 LOL (Derek and (and guests) were also off the wall!)
ReplyDeleteI was there, right next to the stage. It was unbelievable. Elton John, solo, was just superb, young, fresh and unencumbered by all his subsequent flamboyant excess. Then the Dominos came out with Allman and started the set with Layla! And they finished with a long, glorious Let It Rain. It remains one of the greatest concerts I have ever seen and I've seen a lot of great ones. The War Memorial rocked!
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