The 500 - #411 - Eric Clapton - 461 Ocean Boulevard

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 411

Album Title: 461 Ocean Boulevard
Artist: Eric Clapton
Genre: Blues Rock, Funk, Reggae Rock
Recorded: Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida
Released: July, 1974
My age at release: 8
How familiar was I with it before this week: Somewhat
Song I am putting on my Spotify Mix: Mainline Florida

461 Ocean Boulevard is the second studio record released by English guitarist, singer and songwriter Eric Clapton. However, more importantly, the record marked Clapton's return to the studio after a three-year hiatus due to heroin addiction. 461 Ocean Boulevard is also the Golden Beach, Florida, address where Clapton lived while he recorded the album at the nearby Criteria Studios.  

461 Ocean Boulevard Album Cover

Addiction is a brutal disease that impacts us all, societally and individually. For much of my youth, I saw addiction as both a choice and a weakness. However, my first hand experiences of the impact and tragic consequences have made me far more empathetic to those I know personally and even celebrities or strangers on Twitter. I rejoice at whatever progress they make at overcoming their addiction. In fact, many of the podcasters I enjoy (including Josh Adam Meyers of The 500 Podcast) have experienced tremendous success while in recovery. I thought about this a lot as I enjoyed Eric Clapton's record. 

Clapton is the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times -- as a solo artist and as a member of Cream and The Yardbirds. However, his journey to musical superstardom had its challenges.

Clapton was born in 1945 to Patricia Molly Clapton who was 16. His biological father, a visiting Canadian soldier, shipped off to war before Eric was born and did not return to England. Clapton was raised by his grandmother, Rose, and her second husband. Clapton believed they were his parents and was told that Patricia, who married a another soldier and moved to Germany, was an older sister. When he learned the truth, he was devastated by this betrayal and it impacted him for years, ultimately leading to his addiction and personal issues.

Clapton as a teen

In the documentary, Life in 12 Bars, which chronicles his life, he states: "I was always full of such hatred and anger". This record marks the point when he began to let go of some of that hostility. Producer Robert Stigwood, best known for his work on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, paid the rent for Clapton to stay at the 461 Ocean Boulevard, and was instrumental in helping Eric artistically and emotionally.

Open gatefold version of the album 

It certainly seems fitting, and possibly therapeutic, that the opening track on 461 Ocean Boulevard is a gospel-blues standard called Motherless Children. The song was originally recorded in 1927 by Blind Willie Johnson whose mother died when he was very young and who, shortly after, was blinded when his step-mother threw a caustic solution in his eyes. 

Blues legend Blind Willie Johnson

The thing that stood out to me was that Clapton's arrangement of this tragic and sombre song is uncharacteristically upbeat. I couldn't find any evidence to support my theory, but my belief was that this choice was intentional. Perhaps as a way of exorcising the betrayals of his past and moving on to a new chapter.

Clapton began a new chapter with the release of 461 Ocean Boulevard. He has maintained his sobriety and his career flourished through the next four decades. He has, to date, released 21 records as a solo artist and is considered one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time. In 2011, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him second in their list of The 100 Greatest Guitar Players of All Time, surpassed only by Jimi Hendrix.

Addiction is brutal -- but there can be triumph in recovery.