On this day: May 30, 1980

It was a sad day for Derek and the Dominos, when former bass player Carl Radle passed away from kidney failure said to have been caused by his heavy drug use in the early 70's. Radle died on May 30, 1980, less than a month before his 35th birthday.

The death of Radle was not the only dark cloud to form over the group unfortunately. Duane Allman, who had guest starred on the title track of the groups' album Layla- and Other Assorted Love Songs was killed in a motorcycle accident in October 1971. Five years after Radle's death Dominos drummer Jim Gordon beat his 72-year-old mother to death and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Gordon was later diagnosed as an acute paranoid schizophrenic and claimed voices in his head told him to carry out the act.

Regardless of these sad histories Derek and the Dominos, and especially their mega-hit Layla will forever be remembered as a high point in rock and roll history.

Other notable events for May 30:
-Dolly Parton married Carl Dean on May 30, 1966 in Catoosa County, Georgia
-Roxy Music made their first major live appearance at the Great Western Express Festival on May 30, 1972 in Lincolnshire, England
-Adam Horowitz (King Ad-Rock) for the Beastie Boys was arrested in Liverpool on May 30, 1987 after allegedly hitting a girl fan during a riot at a local theater after the group's performance