Eric Clapton

461 Ocean Boulevard

First released1974

461 Ocean Boulevard was recorded in 1974 at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, marking Eric Clapton's first album following his recovery from heroin addiction. The album was produced by Tom Dowd, the legendary engineer and producer known for his work with Atlantic Records artists, and recorded by engineer Karl Richardson. Clapton played most of the instruments himself on several tracks, reflecting a more personal and introspective songwriting approach during this period of his life. The album's stripped-down, blues-influenced sound and focus on rootsy material represented a deliberate move away from the harder rock style of his previous work with Derek and the Dominos. The album became a major commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 and establishing Clapton as a solo artist in his own right.