Why does love have to be so sad

[JohnnyRingo]

9. He did indeed.

The story goes that the band was wrapping up Layla when Clapton walked out of the studio after laying down his track. Gordon was seated at an upright piano noodling on that melody. Clapton asked where that came from and Gordon claimed he originated it. Eric asked if they could use it in the song and offered him co-writing credit. Since then, Clapton has released other versions without the coda giving himself lone songwriting credit (MTV Unplugged for example). James Gordon also played keyboard for other bands as a session artist. He was contracted as a hired gun for most of his life's work, including with Derek & the Dominos, but Layla is the only song he receives royalties for as far as I know. Quite a plum.

Someone else came out much later claiming Gordon stole the tune from them, and that may be true, but that often happens with popular songs.