Slowhand released His Debut Five Decades Ago Today

 It was this day in 1970 that Eric Clapton released his self-titled solo debut. Having started recording it back in November of 1969, Clapton decided to try to record an album under his own name after his success with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, and Blind Faith. 
Eric Clapton Album Cover.jpg

Delaney & Bonney

A short-lived ensamble after Blind Faith, some of the members of this band became long-time session musicians of Clapton in the 70s as well as members of Derek and the Dominoes, including initiator Bobby Whitlock on keyboards. 

A mediocre debut success

The album yielded three singles. Clapton's up-tempo debut single, After Midnight, a cover of a J.J. Cale classic, became a top 10 hit in Canada and the US. Despite this, it wasn't a hit in the UK and neither were the two follow-up singles: Blues Power, and Let it Rain. The latter charted in the US at #48.

The album itself was a top 20 hit in the UK, US, and even Norway.

Leading into Derek and the Dominos

Some time after releasing the album, Clapton and Bobby Whitlock formed Derek & The Dominoes with bass player Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon. Their first (and only) album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, resulted in Clapton's signature song, Layla. 

The band fell apart with the death of sideman, Duane Allman. Despite this, Clapton released his second solo album, 461 Ocean Boulevard in 1973. 

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