# In 1970, Eric Clapton recruited a guitarist for his new band. A month later, he’d helped create a legendary riff

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1970-eric-clapton-recruited-a-guitarist-for-his-new-band-a-month-later-hed-helped-create-a-legendary-riff/
- Published: 2026-10-25T17:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T18:12:55+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1970-eric-clapton-recruited-a-guitarist-for-his-new-band-a-month-later-hed-helped-create-a-legendary-riff/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Duane Allman created the central riff for “Layla”.
- He worked with Derek and the Dominos for just over a month.
- Allman stayed with the Allman Brothers, whom he called family.

## Summary

Eric Clapton brought Duane Allman into the studio with Derek and the Dominos in 1970, where Allman helped shape the song “Layla” by creating its central guitar riff. Their brief collaboration mattered because it brought two influential guitarists together and produced a riff that became one of rock’s best known.

Allman was involved with the band for a little over a month while continuing to play with the Allman Brothers, whom he regarded as family. Clapton later said he tried to persuade him to leave, but Allman stayed loyal to his band. The article also notes that Clapton often avoids playing the demanding riff while singing it live.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.