John Mayall, the iconic British blues musician whose influential band, the Bluesbreakers, served as a springboard for legendary artists like Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood, has passed away at 90.
Mayall’s death was announced on Instagram, stating he died at his California home on Monday, July 22, due to health issues that had previously ended his extensive touring career.
The statement read, “Health issues that forced John to end his epic touring career have finally led to peace for one of this world’s greatest road warriors.”
Mayall played a pivotal role in the development of the English version of Chicago-style rhythm and blues, contributing significantly to the blues revival of the late 1960s.
The Bluesbreakers saw numerous prominent musicians pass through its ranks, including Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, later of Cream, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, and Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac), Mick Taylor (the Rolling Stones), Harvey Mandel and Larry Taylor (Canned Heat), and Jon Mark and John Almond (Mark-Almond Band).
Despite his protests that he was not a talent scout, Mayall was noted for his keen ability to bring together musicians who shared his passion for the music.
He explained to the Southern Vermont Review, “I’m a band leader and I know what I want to play in my band — who can be good friends of mine. It’s definitely a family. It’s a small kind of thing really.”
Although he never achieved the same level of fame as some of his former band members, Mayall continued to perform into his late 80s, remaining dedicated to his unique take on Chicago blues.
He expressed some frustration over his lack of mainstream recognition, saying in a 2013 interview with the Santa Barbara Independent, “I’ve never had a hit record, I never won a Grammy Award, and Rolling Stone has never done a piece about me. I’m still an underground performer.”
Renowned for his skills on the harmonica and keyboard, Mayall did receive a Grammy nomination for his album ‘Wake Up Call’, which featured guest artists like Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Mick Taylor, and Albert Collins.
His album ‘The Sun Is Shining Down’ earned him a second nomination in 2022. He was also honoured with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2005.
Mayall was set to be inducted into the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and his 1966 album ‘Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton’ is celebrated as one of the finest British blues albums.
In an interview with Hawaii Public Radio, he explained his enduring motivation, “Well, the demand is there, fortunately. But it’s really for neither of those two things, it’s just for the love of the music. I just get together with these guys and we have a workout.”
Born on November 29, 1933, in Macclesfield near Manchester, England, Mayall often reflected on his roots with a touch of humour.
“The only reason I was born in Macclesfield was because my father was a drinker, and that’s where his favorite pub was,” he once said. His father, who played guitar and banjo, introduced him to boogie-woogie piano, sparking a lifelong passion for music.
Mayall’s musical journey included learning the piano in a unique manner, focusing on one hand at a time to avoid getting “all tangled up.” Though primarily a pianist, he also played guitar, harmonica, and sang with a distinctive voice.
His 1967 album ‘Blues Alone’ featured Mayall playing all the instruments except the drums, which were handled by Keef Hartley.
Often dubbed the ‘father of British blues’, Mayall moved to London in 1962 to immerse himself in the burgeoning blues scene led by Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies. This scene also attracted future stars like Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Eric Burdon.
The Bluesbreakers became a revolving door for talented musicians, with Clapton joining in 1965 after leaving the Yardbirds. Mayall and Clapton bonded over their shared love for Chicago blues, with Clapton later recalling Mayall’s impressive record collection.
Despite Clapton’s occasional disappearances, Mayall’s band provided a launchpad for his career.
Mayall encouraged his band members’ artistic growth, prompting Clapton to sing and Green to write songs. Mick Taylor, a later Bluesbreaker, appreciated the creative freedom Mayall afforded his musicians.
In a 1979 interview with Jas Obrecht, Taylor said, “You’d have complete freedom to do whatever you wanted. You could make as many mistakes as you wanted, too.”
Mayall’s move to the United States in 1968 marked a shift in his musical direction, leading to the release of ‘The Turning Point’ in 1969, which featured a unique acoustic lineup. The song ‘Room to Move’ from that album became a staple of his live performances.
Throughout the 1970s, Mayall continued to tour extensively, performing over 100 shows a year despite personal challenges.
He admitted to Down Beat magazine in 1990 that he often performed drunk during this period, an issue that culminated in a serious injury and ultimately led him to quit drinking.
Mayall reformed the Bluesbreakers in 1982, but the lineup remained fluid. By 2008, he retired the Bluesbreakers name, continuing his career with the John Mayall Band.
Mayall divorced his second wife, Maggie, in 2011 after 30 years of marriage. They had two sons together.
In his later years, Mayall remained devoted to his music, driven by his passion rather than commercial success. His legacy as a pioneering figure in British blues endures, cemented by his influence on generations of musicians.
