Trailblazing British blues and rock musician John Mayall has died at the age of 90.
Known as ‘The Godfather of British Blues,’ Mayall’s death marks the end of an era for the blues and rock music scenes he helped shape.
His passing was announced by his family on Facebook in the early hours of July 23, 2024: ‘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 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.’
John Mayall was a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is often credited with bringing the American blues and jazz movement to the UK.
Born in America, Mayall relocated to London in the early 1960s.
His band, Blues Breakers, which he founded in 1963 in London, is remembered as one of the most important musical groups of all time.
Members of the Blues Breakers over the years included: Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Aynsley Dunbar, and future Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.
The band’s 1966 album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton is often hailed as a seminal work in the blues-rock genre.
This album not only showcased Clapton’s exceptional guitar skills but also highlighted Mayall’s ability to blend traditional blues with contemporary rock.
Blues Breakers became a training ground for many musicians who would go on to achieve icon status.
Eric Clapton left to form Cream, Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood went on to establish Fleetwood Mac, and Mick Taylor joined the Rolling Stones. Mayall’s mentorship and eye for talent were crucial in shaping the careers of these iconic musicians.
In the early 1970s, Mayall returned to America and began to incorporate elements of jazz, funk, and rock into his blues foundation.
This period saw collaborations with a diverse array of artists including Paul Butterfield, Patti Smith, Canned Heat’s Larry Taylor and Harvey Mandel, Jesse Ed Davis, Rick Vito, and Freebo.
Mayall recorded and released over 30 albums throughout his career, both as a member of bands and as a solo artist, making it almost as prolific as he was iconic.
His last recording, The Sun Is Shining Down, was released in 2022, and is as fresh and beautiful as even his most iconic work.
Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from across the music world. Walter Trout, a former member of the Blues Breakers and a close friend, expressed his sorrow on Facebook: ‘He is and will always be my musical mentor, my greatest supporter, and an incredible talent. We just lost a giant. I loved him like a father, and I always will.’
Mayall was appointed as an OBE in 2005 and was set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this October – fitting honors for a man whose work had such a profound impact on the music industry.