British Blues Troubadour John Mayall, Dead at 90
Photo via Jack de Nijs/Creative Commons
John Mayall, the so-called “godfather of British blues,” has passed away. The bandleader, composer, singer, and instrumentalist who had a hand in Eric Clapton and other distinctive figures in music’s early successes died peacefully at his home in California, according to an official statement released via the artist’s social media platforms. Mayall was 90.
“It is with heavy hearts that we bear the news that John Mayall passed away peacefully in his California home yesterday, July 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. 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. John Mayall gave us ninety years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire and entertain,” the official statement began.
Using Mayall’s own words, the release turned toward a 2014 interview with The Guardian, in which the musician reflected, ‘“[blues] is about – and it’s always been about – that raw honesty with which [it expresses] our experiences in life, something which all comes together in this music, in the words as well. Something that is connected to us, common to our experiences.” That raw honesty, connection, community and playing of his will continue to affect the music and culture we experience today, and for generations to come.”’
Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on Nov. 29, 1933, Mayall was exposed to music at an early age due to his father’s role as a guitarist and performer at local pubs. From a boy, he cited American blues players as inspiration, referencing Lead Belly, Albert Ammons, Pinetop Smith and Eddie Lang. A self-taught performer, Mayall transferred interest in the piano, guitar and harmonica into a fully-fledged musical understanding and use of the instruments.
After a stint in Korea as part of his national service and ensuing educational experience at Manchester College of Art, Mayall left his role as an art designer and committed himself to music in 1963. However, his previous skill would be used in album art. Musically, Mayall was involved in the Blues Syndicate, a follow-up gig that proceeded his Peter Ward co-founded Powerhouse Four role. The former group, which transitioned into the Bluesbreakers, and even backed John Lee Hooker on his British tour in 1964.
Clapton joined the ensemble in 1965, and in the years that followed, there was some back-and-forth involvement and shifting lineups, inevitably leading to the release of Blues Breaks LP, otherwise known as The Beano Album, which followed Mayall and the band’s first drop, John Mayall Plays John Mayall. Eventually, the creation of Cream led Clapton to perform his last scheduled concert with Bluesbreakers.
With Clapton’s intention cemented, Mayall and company ran through years of differing guitarists, including stints with Peter Green (resulting in A Hard Road), Mick Taylor, Harvey Mandel and others. By the onset of the ‘70s, Mayall relocated to California and spent the next 15 years recording with various labels, including turning out live LP, Jazz Blues Fusion.
The mid-to-late 1970s represented a prolific period for Mayall, who continued to jump labels and release many records, some of which were produced by Allen Toussaint, Tom Wilson and Don Nix. During the ensuing years, he added elements of jazz, funk, pop and other elements–distinctive markers of his original approach. Notably, his albums topped charts and ran up listens, solidifying his status as one of the best to blues expressionist out of Britain.
“An appointed OBE (Officer of the British Empire), 2x Grammy-nominated artist and recent inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, John is survived by his 6 children, Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak and Samson, 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also surrounded with love by his previous wives, Pamela and Maggie, his devoted secretary, Jane, and his close friends. We, the Mayall family, cannot thank his fans and long-list of bandmembers enough for the support and love we were blessed to experience secondhand over the last six decades,” the statement concluded.
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