Pioneer of British Blues John Mayall has died at the age of 90, his family confirmed the news through a social media post.
John Mayall, recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and celebrated leader of the Bluesbreakers—a band instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous British music legends including Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, and future members of Fleetwood Mac—passed away on Monday in California at the age of 90.
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His family confirmed the news through a social media post, noting that Mayall died peacefully at his California home on July 22, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. The statement attributed his passing to “health issues.”
Known as “The Godfather of British Blues,” Mayall was a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with a profound appreciation for American blues and jazz. He was also renowned for his ability to identify and foster young talent.
In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, John Mayall described the essence of blues as “raw honesty” that reflects life’s experiences, adding, “To be honest, I don’t think anyone really knows exactly what it is. I just can’t stop playing it.”
Mayall founded the Bluesbreakers in 1963, a group that, throughout the 1960s, became a launching pad for British blues and rock icons like Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Aynsley Dunbar, and Mick Taylor.
The Bluesbreakers achieved significant commercial success in the UK, with five Top 10 albums from 1966 to 1970. Their 1966 debut, Blues Breakers, featured Clapton, whose guitar prowess inspired the famous “Clapton is God” graffiti.
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After Clapton’s departure in 1966, Peter Green took over until he left in 1967 to form Fleetwood Mac with Fleetwood and McVie. Mick Taylor then joined, later moving on to the Rolling Stones in 1969 following Brian Jones’ death.
In the U.S., Mayall and the Bluesbreakers enjoyed periodic success, charting nearly 20 albums between 1968 and 1975. Notable among these was the live album The Turning Point (1969), which went gold and peaked at No. 32, and USA Union (1970), which reached No. 22 and featured former Canned Heat members Larry Taylor and Harvey Mandel.
About John Mayall
Born on November 29, 1933, in Macclesfield, Cheshire, John Mayall moved to London in 1963 to pursue music at the suggestion of his friend Alexis Korner, after serving in the British military. He formed the Bluesbreakers with John McVie, Peter Ward, and others, and began performing around London, frequently changing the band’s lineup.
Jack Bruce joined the Bluesbreakers briefly in 1965 before leaving to join Manfred Mann and later forming Cream with Clapton and Ginger Baker. Aynsley Dunbar drummed for the Bluesbreakers from 1966-67 before working with Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Journey, and Jefferson Starship.
Mayall relocated to Los Angeles in 1969, continuing to lead bands and releasing dozens of albums. He earned two Grammy nominations: one for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 1993 for Wake Up Call and another for Best Traditional Blues Album in 2022 for his final release, The Sun Is Shining Down.
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Throughout his career, he collaborated with artists like Joe Walsh, Steven Van Zandt, Alex Lifeson, Billy Gibbons, Otis Rush, Billy Preston, Marcus King, and Walter Trout.
Honored as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005, Mayall was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a “Musical Influence” this year, alongside Korner and Big Mama Thornton. He continued recording and touring until about two years ago.
John Mayall is survived by his children Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak, and Samson, along with seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.