On this day in music history: September 20, 1969 - “Blind Faith” by Blind Faith hits #1 on the Billboard Top 200 for 2 weeks, also peaking at #40 on the R&B album chart. Produced by Jimmy Miller, it is recorded at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London and Morgan Studios in Willesden, London from February 20 - June 24, 1969. The rock “super group” features Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech, who begin recording together with the project originally intended to be the first solo project for Clapton, following the demise of Cream. Working with Rolling Stones and Traffic producer Jimmy Miller, the band enter the studio and begin working on the project. Interest from record companies and promoters create a major buzz for the record when people are made aware of who is in the band. Consisting of only six tracks, stand out songs on the album include “Presence Of The Lord”, “Can’t Find My Way Home”, and a groove laden cover of the Buddy Holly & The Crickets classic “Well All Right”. Following the albums release, the band tour briefly before breaking up. The original cover art by photographer Bob Seidemann features a picture of a topless eleven year old girl holding an airplane (actually the hood ornament off of a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air) which is considered “too controversial” upon its release. The cover is switched to an innocuous photo of the band for the US release of the LP. In spite of the album and accompanying tour being very successful, Eric Clapton is unhappy with the outcome. Having wanted to avoid the intense media focus on him since the break up of Cream, he becomes disillusioned when the same thing happens with Blind Faith. The band go their separate ways at the end of the tour, and do not record another album. In 2001, Universal Music Group" releases a two CD Deluxe Edition of the album featuring a remastered version of the original album with bonus tracks, and a second disc consisting of extended in studio jams recorded during the sessions. “Blind Faith” is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
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