After 3 years of near seclusion, following the demise of Derek and the Dominos, Eric Clapton decided to release a solo album and tour the US. He put together a band, which included bass player, Carl Radle, from Derek and the Dominos. He added a back up singer, Yvonne Elliman, who had performed as Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar”, on album, film and stage. They recorded in Miami, Florida, and titled the album “461 Ocean Boulevard”, after the house they stayed at. The song, “I Shot The Sheriff”, by Bob Marley and the Wailers, became Clapton’s first #1 solo hit. In June 1974, Eric Clapton and his band began their US tour.
My friends and I saw Eric Clapton and his band perform
at The Cow Palace near San Francisco July 21, 1974.
To see photos of that concert and
The photo below was taken by Dan Cuny
outside the Cow Palace.
This is the official program from
the concert. I bought it there for $2.
Below are pages from the book, "Eric Clapton -
A Visual Documentary by Marc Roberty".
It documents the events day to day from the
first announcement to the end of the tour.
©Copyright 1986 Omnibus Press
Below is text from "Clapton - The
Autobiography". Clapton suggests an affair
between him and Yvonne Elliman.
Published by Broadway Books.
©Copyright 2007 E.C. Music Limited.
The photo below is from "Wonderful
Tonight - George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me"
by Pattie Boyd.
©Copyright Pattie Boyd 2007
Below is text from "Clapton - The
Autobiography". Clapton describes how he
came to record "I Shot The Sheriff"
and Bob Marley's response.
Published by Broadway Books.
©Copyright 2007 E.C. Music Limited.
Family tree below is by Pete Frame.
It is taken from the official program.
©Pete Frame June 1974.
The first announcement of
the tour was ten months
before it happened.
Melody Maker did a large
retrospective of Clapton.
Published October 10, 1973.
The tour is announced May 11, 1974.
It has rumors about George Harrison
joining him and the possibility of a
Cream reunion.
Two weeks later, the US papers
express doubt that there
is an album and tour
in the works.
The new band and
album are officially
announced June 8, 1974.
The rock papers cover the action.
"New Musical Express" printed a long
article reviewing a live performance.
Published June 29, 1974.
A review of the band's warm-up
concert in Copenhagen.
Published June 29, 1974.
Tour dates and album
notes, July 4, 1974.
The album receives
mixed reviews in the
British Press, July 13,1974.
A major interview with Eric Clapton
is published in the US just three
days before I saw him perform.
A review of the live show.
August 1, 1974.
A US review of the album.
It received mixed reviews, again.
August 29, 1974.
An over-view of the tour from
Hit Parader Magazine,
Annual Winter Issue 1974-75
The album "461 Ocean Boulevard"
Yvonne Elliman hit it big playing Mary
Magdalene on "Jesus Christ Superstar."
Her first album was titled, "I Don't Know
How To Love Him", from that rock opera.
Yvonne Elliman's second solo album, 1973.
Pete Townshend helped with it.
Her first album with RSO records
was "Rising Sun", 1975.
She was married to Bill Oakes, the
president of the company. He was
responsible for her meeting Clapton. She
recorded with his band for five years. She later
had the hit song, "If I Can't Have You", written
for her by the Bee Gees.
Bass player, Carl Radle passed away
from substance abuse in 1980
at the age 37.
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