Dick Sims Dead: Longtime Keyboardist for Eric Clapton Dies After Cancer Battle
- Posted on Dec 12th 2011 11:37AM by Theo Spielberg
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Dick Sims, a longtime keyboardist in Eric Clapton's band, passed away Thursday, Dec. 8, after a battle with cancer. He was 60 years old.
The Tulsa, Okla., native began a lifetime of musicianship by the age of 12, playing clubs in his hometown. In 1972, he and drummer Jamie Oldaker recorded the album 'Back in '72' with Bob Seger, which included the hit 'Turn the Page.' Sims and Oldaker went on to form the Tulsa County Band with bassist Carl Radle, who would later recruit Sims to join Clapton's band as an organist in 1974. Together with Oldaker and Radle, Sims helped pioneer what came to be known as the "Tulsa Sound."
Sims played on some of Clapton's classic albums, including '461 Ocean Boulevard' and 'Slowhand,' which featured hits like 'I Shot the Sheriff' and 'Cocaine.' During his lengthy career, Sims also worked with iconic musicians like J.J. Cale, Peter Tosh, Vince Gill, Etta James and Stephen Stills, among others.
Sims took a 10-year year sabbatical from music before returning to record his only solo album, 'Within Arm's Reach,' in 2008. Clapton's band dedicated their Tokyo performance on Dec. 10 to their fallen comrade.
Watch Clapton and Sims Perform 'I Shot the Sheriff'
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The Tulsa, Okla., native began a lifetime of musicianship by the age of 12, playing clubs in his hometown. In 1972, he and drummer Jamie Oldaker recorded the album 'Back in '72' with Bob Seger, which included the hit 'Turn the Page.' Sims and Oldaker went on to form the Tulsa County Band with bassist Carl Radle, who would later recruit Sims to join Clapton's band as an organist in 1974. Together with Oldaker and Radle, Sims helped pioneer what came to be known as the "Tulsa Sound."
Sims played on some of Clapton's classic albums, including '461 Ocean Boulevard' and 'Slowhand,' which featured hits like 'I Shot the Sheriff' and 'Cocaine.' During his lengthy career, Sims also worked with iconic musicians like J.J. Cale, Peter Tosh, Vince Gill, Etta James and Stephen Stills, among others.
Sims took a 10-year year sabbatical from music before returning to record his only solo album, 'Within Arm's Reach,' in 2008. Clapton's band dedicated their Tokyo performance on Dec. 10 to their fallen comrade.
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