Photo: Christina Arrigoni
John Mayall Blues Maker and Bluesbreaker
By Martine Ehrenclou,
Dan Pieper, Dan Dicke, Mel Berndt
Famed British blues musician John Mayall has died. A true pioneer of blues music, Mayall formed the band the Bluesbreakers in the 1960s, which was considered a training ground for Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Green and many others. An English blues and rock musician, songwriter and producer, Mayall’s music career spanned nearly seven decades, remaining an active musician until his death at age 90.
A statement on Mayall’s Instagram page announced his death on Tuesday, stating that he had died on Monday at his home in California surrounded by loved ones.
Often referred to as the Godfather of the British Blues, Mayall is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee as of this year. A two-time Grammy nominee, he was known for his eye for great talent. Mick Jagger wrote on X “He was a great pioneer of British Blues and had a wonderful eye for young musicians, including Mick Taylor-who he recommended to me after Brian Jones died-ushering in a new era for the Stones.”
The alumni from the Bluesbreakers reads like a Who’s Who of music royalty–everyone from Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Walter Trout, Coco Montoya, Harvey Mandel, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Buddy Whittington, Rocky Athas, and more, to the recent Carolyn Wonderland. There are plenty of tributes to the great John Mayall since his passing, thanking him for giving second chances. Eric Clapton video here
A harmonicist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter, Mayall knew how to pick the best guitar players. In fact, that’s part of what he’s most known for: schooling and nurturing superb musicians and then allowing them to take flight. The first guitarists in the Bluesbreakers were Clapton, Green, and Taylor. Then John McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Aynsley Dunbar. How different music would be if Mayall hadn’t fostered all that talent. Seven members of his bands have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Mayall will be inducted this year.
Photo: David Gomez
Born near Manchester, England in 1933, Mayall grew up learning guitar, piano, and harmonica. He was influenced by his father’s record collection, which included jazz and blues by Big Bill Broonzy, Leadbelly, and Brownie McGhee. After studying graphic design and serving in Korea, Mayall worked in advertising before committing to music.
Mayall is considered the ground floor of British Blues, in part because his ‘Blues Breakers’ album, termed the “Beano” album named after the cartoon comic Clapton holds in the photo. The debut album is credited with kick-starting the 1960s electric blues boom in the US and UK. With songs by Robert Johnson, Otis Rush, Freddie King and Ray Charles, as well as Mayall himself, the album included Eric Clapton. Clapton used a 1960 Gibson Les Paul with two PAF humbucking pickups, and his guitar tone and playing on this album are highly influential in rock music. That sound wouldn’t have been created if not for Mayall’s support of Clapton.
Mayall and Clapton shared a passion for Chicago blues, and the guitarist later remembered that Mayall had “the most incredible collection of records I had ever seen.” Mayall encouraged Clapton to sing and urged Peter Green, who later replaced Clapton, to develop his song-writing. Mick Taylor who succeeded Green as a Bluesbreaker in the Late 1960s appreciated the independence and flexibility that Mayall allowed his musicians.
Photo: Chiesa
Mayall’s 1968 album Blues From Laurel Canyon marked his permanent move to the US and a change of direction. He disbanded the Bluesbreakers and worked with two guitars and drums. The following year he released The Turning Point, perhaps his most successful release and focused on low volume music without heavy guitar and drums.
In 1981, Mayall reformed the Bluesbreakers, enlisting Taylor and McVie. After two years the musicians changed up again. And the changeups kept coming. Coco Montoya and Kal David were on guitars, and then Walter Trout and Joe Yuele. The lineup of Montoya, Trout, Haynes and Yuele was stable for four years with two live albums and Mayall’s first studio effort in seven years titled Chicago Line. Trout left to pursue a solo career and Mayall kept the band to a four-piece.
In November 2008, Mayall announced that he was retiring the Bluesbreakers name. He returned the following year with his solo band which included Rocky Athas, Greg Rzab, and Jay Davenport. Mayall decided he preferred a trio and Athas left the band. Lead guitarist, singer, songwriter Carolyn Wonderland joined the band in 2018.
Known for his blues harmonica and keyboard playing, Mayall earned a Grammy nomination for Wake Up Call (1993) which featured Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Mick Taylor and Albert Collins. His second Grammy nomination was for his 2022 album The Sun Is Shining Down produced by Eric Corne, the fourth record they produced together. It features an all-star cast including Mike Campbell, Marcus King, Melvin Taylor, Greg Rzab, Carolyn Wonderland and Buddy Miller. It won official recognition in Britain with a 2005 OBE Award (Officer of the Order of the British Empire.)
Mayall will remain a musical hero. Joe Walsh said it best. “It’s been a bucket list item since 1970 to play with John Mayall. John had a run of GREAT British guitarists (one after the other) with his Bluesbreakers albums and that’s how many of us in the States became aware of them.” Walsh was featured on Mayall’s 65th album Talk About That, produced by Eric Corne.
John Mayall helped shape modern music for the last 60+ years, and you’ll find his fingerprints all over blues and rock. He’s left a profound and lasting influence on music.
He is survived by his second ex-wife, six children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
“All Your Love”
Great tribute! Love the videos!