Jamie Oldaker, the Tulsa-born drummer best known for his long collaboration with Eric Clapton, would have turned 75 on 5 September 2026. Clapton once called Oldaker's playing "unique" and "perfect," and the drummer went on to work with a striking range of artists across rock and country, from Bob Seger and Peter Frampton to Willie Nelson and Vince Gill, before his death from cancer in July 2020 at the age of 68.

Oldaker began drumming at nine, inspired by his father and jazz great Gene Krupa, and rose through Tulsa's music scene before connections with bassist Carl Radle brought him to Clapton's attention in 1974. He played on ten consecutive Clapton albums, including hits such as "I Shot the Sheriff", "Wonderful Tonight" and "Lay Down Sally", while also contributing to records by Kiss's Ace Frehley and producing 2005's Mad Dogs & Okies. He was additionally an original member of country-rock band The Tractors, whose 1994 debut went platinum, and remained active in Tulsa's cultural and charitable causes until his death.