John Mayall, revered as the godfather of British blues, passed away peacefully at his home in California on July 22, 2024. He was 90 years old. The announcement, shared by his family on social media, mentioned his recent health setbacks but did not specify a cause of death. “It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Mayall peacefully passed away at his home surrounded by his devoted family,” the statement read. “Health issues that compelled John to cease his remarkable touring career have finally brought peace to one of the world’s greatest road warriors. John Mayall gave us ninety years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire, and entertain.”
Mayall’s impact on the music world is immeasurable. His band, the Bluesbreakers, served as a launching pad for some of the most iconic musicians in rock history, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which planned to induct him in October under the Musical Influence Award, paid tribute, highlighting his role in shaping the blues genre.
Born on November 29, 1933, in Macclesfield, England, Mayall grew up deeply appreciating American jazz and blues, influenced by his father’s record collection. After a stint in the army and studying graphic design at Manchester College of Art, he moved to London in the early 1960s. There, he formed the Bluesbreakers, a group that would become legendary for its rotating lineup of talented musicians. Clapton’s time with the Bluesbreakers, particularly on the 1966 album “Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton,” is often credited with boosting his career and solidifying his status as a guitar legend.
Mayall’s talent for nurturing and highlighting musicians was unmatched. “Being a blues-guitar sideman with the Bluesbreakers is the ultimate achievement. It’s like reaching Mount Everest,” stated guitarist Walter Trout. “Playing with B.B. King or Buddy Guy means you’ll be playing chords all night. But with John, you get to perform solos. He calls out your name after each song, brings you to the front, and lets you sing. He gives you a place to shine.”
The 1970s saw Mayall relocating to Los Angeles, where he continued to innovate and collaborate with American blues artists. His 1970 album “USA Union,” featuring guitarist Harvey Mandel, violinist Don “Sugarcane” Harris, and bassist Larry Taylor, reached No. 22 on the charts. Despite a fire in 1979 that destroyed his home and possessions, Mayall’s passion for music never waned. He continued to record and tour well into his 80s, with his final concert on March 26, 2022, at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California.
In a 2016 interview with Blues Blast magazine, Mayall reflected on his approach to music and band leadership. “The reason I choose musicians is what they bring to the table, and I enjoy their work, and I want to allow them to express themselves because that’s what I hired them for,” he said. “I take pleasure in their playing, and, as a bandleader, I’m lucky enough to select who I want to perform with. This allows me to indulge in my musical enjoyment. … Improvisation is key. You start with the piece’s basic structure and then enhance it based on that night’s performance. This has always been the foundation of my work. The concept is to create music as you play. Improvisation is central. It’s about exploring the music.”
Mayall’s legacy includes a discography rich with innovation and collaboration. His 2019 album “Nobody Told Me,” recorded shortly before a health scare, featured guest appearances from Todd Rundgren, Little Steven Van Zandt, Alex Lifeson, and Joe Bonamassa. His final studio album, “The Sun Is Shining Down,” released in 2022, was highly praised. Thom Jurek of allmusic.com wrote, “Hopefully, life goes according to plan, and Mayall gets to deliver many more recordings before he’s done because ‘The Sun Is Shining Down’ sounds hungry and vital. Mayall delivers these rough-and-ready blues like a champ.”
In April, Mayall expressed his joy at his upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a Musical Influencer Award, alongside Alexis Korner, who had mentored him early in his career. Reflecting on his fame, Mayall said, “It’s still something my audience has to develop a taste for, and there aren’t enough of them to get me on the charts or in the news. So, in that regard, I’m still somewhat of an outsider. I follow my path and hope for the best. But we enjoy playing, which is a great position because those in big hit bands are often confined to what made them famous, losing the chance to improvise and explore.”
John Mayall is survived by his six children—Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak, and Samson—seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His death announcement also acknowledged the support of his previous wives, Pamela and Maggie, and a devoted secretary, Jane.
