Derek and the Dominos were a blues rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton with keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon, who had all played with Clapton in Delaney, Bonnie & Friends. Duane Allman was also invited by Clapton to join the sessions to add slide guitar to a number of tracks. Allman was then asked to join permanently, but declined.

The band released only one studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. The album featured slide guitar from guitarist Duane Allman, who contributed powerful slide guitar work on most of the cuts on the album. His most memorable contribution was to the album's title track, "Layla". The album went on to receive critical acclaim, but initially faltered in sales and in radio airplay. Although released in 1970 it was not until March 1972 that the album's single "Layla" (a tale of unrequited love inspired by Clapton's relationship with his friend George Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd Harrison) would make the top ten in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The album, which has received praise from both critics and fans alike, is often considered to be the defining achievement of Clapton's career.