Women's Suite

Happy Birthday Eric Clapton, March 30

Eric Patrick Clapton, English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and of Cream. 

Born: March 30, 1945 (age 78 years), Ripley, United Kingdom
Music groups: Cream, Derek and the Dominos, Yardbbirds, MORE
Spouse: Melia McEnery (m. 2002), Pattie Boyd (m. 1979–1989)

LAYLA (recorded at Miami’s Criteria Recording Studios)

According to Clapton, Allman composed the song’s signature riff.
Released March 1971
Format Vinyl
Recorded 9 September 1970
Studio Criteria Studios, Miami
Genre • Blues rockhard rock
Length 7:08 (album / 1972 single version)
3:55 (Piano exit Goodfellas film version)
2:43 (1971 single version)
Label • Atco (US) RSO Polydor
Songwriter(s) • Eric Clapton Jim Gordon
Producer(s) • Tom DowdDerek and the Dominos

461 Ocean Boulevard (recorded at Miami’s Criteria Recording Studios)

461 Ocean Boulevard is the second solo studio album by Eric Clapton that marked his return to recording after recovering from a three-year addiction to heroin. The album was released in late July 1974 for RSO Records, shortly after the record company released the hit single “I Shot the Sheriff” in early July the same year. The album topped various international charts and sold more than two million copies.

The album title refers to the address on Ocean Boulevard in Golden Beach, Florida where Clapton lived while recording the album. The street address of the house was changed after the album’s release due to fans flocking to the property. The house has long since been rebuilt and the street address restored.

Clapton manager at the time, Robert Stigwood, contacted him about a new project. Stigwood arranged for Clapton to record at the Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida and record producer Tom Dowd. Clapton also hired guest vocalist Yvonne Elliman and guitarist George Terry as full-time members of his group.

461 Ocean Boulevard: (recorded at Miami’s Criteria Recording Studios)

Released July 1974
Recorded April–May 1974
Studio Criteria, Miami, Florida
Genre • Blues rockfun
Length 43:21
Label RSO
Producer: Tom Dowd