PIANIST and co-founder of Derek and the Dominos, Bobby Whitlock, has died at the age 77.

The rock icon died of cancer after a short battle with the illness as his heartbroken wife leads the tributes.

His manager, Carole Kaye, confirmed his death this morning saying he died at home in Texas at 1:20am.

The legendary rockstar was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed.

Whitlock was best known for founding the English-American blues rock band Derek and the Dominos in 1970 alongside his three bandmates.

He was the keyboardist and singer and made his mark on the music industry alongside guitarist Eric Clapton , bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon .

He had met Clapton, one of the most decorated British rockers, in the years prior to the band's creation

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