Rock drummer who murdered his own mother has passed away at 77
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Jim Gordon, the infamous rock drummer who perpetrated a vicious attack on his own mother in the 80s, has passed away in prison at the age of 77.
The musician, who performed with the likes of Eric Clapton and George Harrison before his decline, reportedly died of natural causes on Monday at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.
Gordon had a long history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia prior to the 1983 murder of his 72-year-old mother.
Having performed in songs by the Beach Boys, Steely Dan, Carly Simon, Sonny and Cher, Nancy Sinatra, and the Byrds, among others, Gordon was something of a musical talent.
He was even credited as a co-writer for Eric Clapton’s 1970 hit ‘Layla’, and was one of the main drummers for Harrison’s album All Things Must Pass – his first solo work after the break-up of the Beatles.
Gordon was most known, however, for the violent attack on his own mother and the life-altering effects it had on the people around him.
‘I had no interest in killing her,’ he said in 1985. ‘I wanted to stay away from her. I had no choice. It was so matter-of-fact, like I was being guided like a zombie. She wanted me to kill her.’
The drummer had previously also attacked his then-girlfriend Rita Coolidge, and although she never levelled any blame upon him, she recalled the shocking moment in a biography of the late musician, Leon Russell.
'Jim said very quietly, so only I could hear, “Can I talk to you for just a minute?” He meant he wanted to talk alone. So we walked out of the room together,' wrote Bill Janovitz in the biography.
'And then he hit me so hard that I was lifted off the floor and slammed against the wall on the other side of the hallway … It came from nowhere.'
Although few others noticed the signs, Coolidge was able to make the connection between Gordon’s actions and his mental state.
'He was an amazing guy, just really so charismatic,' she remembered.
'[But] after everything happened, I started to recognise that look in his eye and knew that he was not playing with a full deck.'
In 1984 Gordon was sentenced to 16 years to life for the murder, although his parole was denied a number of times. At a 2018 parole hearing, which he did not attend, he was still deemed to pose ‘an unreasonable risk of threat to public safety’. He remained incarcerated until his death.
Members, this is a tragic story of mental illness and the consequences that can occur. It is a reminder to always recognise the signs in those around us. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, be sure to get help. There are many organisations available to assist, so please do not hesitate in getting the help you need.
Do you remember Jim Gordon, either for his music or the infamous murder case? Share your memories or your thoughts with us below.
The musician, who performed with the likes of Eric Clapton and George Harrison before his decline, reportedly died of natural causes on Monday at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.
Gordon had a long history of mental illness and had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia prior to the 1983 murder of his 72-year-old mother.
Having performed in songs by the Beach Boys, Steely Dan, Carly Simon, Sonny and Cher, Nancy Sinatra, and the Byrds, among others, Gordon was something of a musical talent.
He was even credited as a co-writer for Eric Clapton’s 1970 hit ‘Layla’, and was one of the main drummers for Harrison’s album All Things Must Pass – his first solo work after the break-up of the Beatles.
Image Credit: Shutterstock
Gordon was most known, however, for the violent attack on his own mother and the life-altering effects it had on the people around him.
‘I had no interest in killing her,’ he said in 1985. ‘I wanted to stay away from her. I had no choice. It was so matter-of-fact, like I was being guided like a zombie. She wanted me to kill her.’
The drummer had previously also attacked his then-girlfriend Rita Coolidge, and although she never levelled any blame upon him, she recalled the shocking moment in a biography of the late musician, Leon Russell.
'Jim said very quietly, so only I could hear, “Can I talk to you for just a minute?” He meant he wanted to talk alone. So we walked out of the room together,' wrote Bill Janovitz in the biography.
'And then he hit me so hard that I was lifted off the floor and slammed against the wall on the other side of the hallway … It came from nowhere.'
Although few others noticed the signs, Coolidge was able to make the connection between Gordon’s actions and his mental state.
'He was an amazing guy, just really so charismatic,' she remembered.
'[But] after everything happened, I started to recognise that look in his eye and knew that he was not playing with a full deck.'
In 1984 Gordon was sentenced to 16 years to life for the murder, although his parole was denied a number of times. At a 2018 parole hearing, which he did not attend, he was still deemed to pose ‘an unreasonable risk of threat to public safety’. He remained incarcerated until his death.
Members, this is a tragic story of mental illness and the consequences that can occur. It is a reminder to always recognise the signs in those around us. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, be sure to get help. There are many organisations available to assist, so please do not hesitate in getting the help you need.
Do you remember Jim Gordon, either for his music or the infamous murder case? Share your memories or your thoughts with us below.
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