The music world is mourning the loss of Bobby Whitlock, the legendary keyboardist and vocalist who was the co-founder of Derek and the Dominos. His manager, Carol Kaye, confirmed the heartbreaking news to Variety and revealed that the musician passed away on August 10, 2025, at 1:20 am. He was quietly battling cancer at the age of 77.
Bobby’s team mentioned that he passed away peacefully at home in Texas, surrounded by his family. It was the right kind of ending for a family man, who led a private, grounded and love-filled life despite being a stalwart in the music industry. Here’s everything you might want to know about Bobby Whitlock’s family, wife and kids.
Bobby Whitlock prioritised his role as a father to his three kids
Bobby Whitlock, who was born in 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee, was an ideal inspiration for those to aspired to rise from poverty to the greatest heights of rock history. He began his career in his city itself and performed acts in the late ’60s. Gradually, he joined Delaney & Bonnie, where he met Eric Clapton, Carl Radle, and Jim Gordon, and together they all founded Derek and the Dominos in 1970. Their only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, remains high on the list of top moments in rock, with Layla from Eric being the best one.
Later in 2017, Bobby revealed in a chat with Best Classic Bands that the band parted ways due to fights, excessive drug and alcohol use. Following the split, the musician chose to live a life away from the spotlight in the 1980s and 1990s for his kids. He lived quietly on a farm in Mississippi, raising his children, Ashley Faye and Beau Elijah, away from the chaos of the music world. Details about the mother of his children remain private, but fatherhood was central to his life. Later, he welcomed another son, Tim Whitlock Kelly. Bobby also had a sister, Debbie Wade, who supported him through the highs and lows of fame.
Bobby Whitlock found love in his creative partner, Coco Carmel
Bobby Whitlock’s love life was silent until it took a romantic turn when he met singer-songwriter and producer, Coco Carmel. She was a talented artist, and while working with a creative partner, he brought love and new musical zeal into his life. They began to perform, blended their voices and styles while working together on collaborating on a string of albums. The duo finally tied the knot on December 24, 2005 and moved to Austin, Texas.
According to The Times of India, one of the most memorable chapters of their love story took place in Kerala, India. On May 23, 2012, Bobby renewed his vows with Carmel in Kovalam, Kerala. They had a typical Hindu ceremony, inspired by a traditional Keralite wedding, with a Hindu priest, elephants, snake charmers and South Indian outfits. There were no guests, just the couple and the priest, making the moment deeply personal. After Bobby’s demise, Coco shared a heartbreaking statement to TMZ saying:
“How do you express in a few words the grandness of one man who came from abject poverty in the south to heights unimagined in such a short time? My love, Bobby, looked at life as an adventure, taking me by the hand and leading me through a world of wonderment from music to poetry and painting. I feel his hands that were so intensely expressive and warm on my face and the small of my back. Whenever I close my eyes, he is there.”
We send our heartfelt condolences to Bobby Whitlock’s family in this difficult time.
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