John Mayall Passes Away
John Mayall, the influential British blues musician who discovered and mentored so many legendary guitarists, passed away on July 22, 2024. His death was just announced on his official Facebook page, without further details on the cause or place of death, except that he died peacefully at his home in California.
Mayall was a versatile musician who played piano, organ, guitar, and harmonica, and also had a distinctive high, thin voice. However, it was his talent for discovering young, talented guitarists and boosting their careers that earned him the title ‘the Godfather of British Blues.’ Names like Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor began their impressive careers under his wing.
The album “Blues Breakers” (1966), which Mayall recorded with Clapton, is often seen as the start of the electric blues revolution in the 1960s. This album, filled with songs by blues legends such as Robert Johnson and Otis Rush, inspired countless young musicians in both America and Britain.
John Mayall was born on November 29, 1933, in Macclesfield, England. His father, Murray, played guitar and collected records, which had a strong influence on young John. Although he originally worked as an artist and graphic designer, he decided at the age of 30 to follow his heart and become a full-time musician.
In the vibrant London music scene, he formed the Bluesbreakers. It was a tough time, with long tours and performances in small clubs, but his perseverance paid off. The album “Blues Breakers” and its follow-up “A Hard Road” (1967) garnered much attention and led to international tours for Mayall and his band.
In 1969, Mayall moved to Los Angeles, marking a new phase in his career. His bands now included American musicians such as Harvey Mandel and Sugarcane Harris. In later years, guitarists like Sonny Landreth, Walter Trout, and Coco Montoya played in his bands, all of whom would go on to become successful in their own right.
Mayall remained active in music until an advanced age, releasing over 70 albums. His last album, “The Sun Is Shining Down,” was released in 2022. In April of this year, it was announced that Mayall, along with Alexis Korner and Big Mama Thornton, would receive a Musical Influence Award from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
John Mayall leaves behind a large family: his children Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak, and Samson, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His two marriages ended in divorce. John Mayall was 90 years old.
