John Mayall - The music legend died at the age of 90
John Mayall (1933-2024), the British blues legend, is dead. The influential musician, known for his powerful band Bluesbreakers that paved the way for stars like Eric Clapton (79) and Mick Fleetwood (77), passed away at the age of 90 in his California home, surrounded by his family, on Monday (22. July). According to a statement on John Mayall's Instagram page, his health issues led him to retire from his epic touring career, bringing peace to one of the greatest live musicians in the world.
John Mayall made stars out of young talents
Born in 1933 near Manchester, England, John Mayall was a singer and played piano, keyboard, guitar, and harmonica. However, it was his role as the "Father of British Blues," according to the "New York Times," that came from his nurturing of talented young lead guitarists.
At one point, the Bluesbreakers included rising stars like Eric Clapton, who later formed Cream and became a highly successful solo artist, Peter Green (1946-2020), who co-founded Fleetwood Mac, and Mick Taylor (75), who was recruited by the Rolling Stones from the Mayall band. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie (78) were also part of the band and later reunited in Fleetwood Mac.
John Mayall performed with the Bluesbreakers into old age
John Mayall was inducted into the "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" in 2024. His album "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" from 1966 is considered one of the best British blues albums of all time. Up until 2021, John Mayall still toured regularly with the Bluesbreakers in the USA, Europe, and Australia. Afterward, the musician retired from touring due to age-related reasons.
- Eric Clapton, who had previously been a member of the Bluesbreakers, paid tribute to John Mayall on his Instagram, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow as a blues artist under Mayall's mentorship.
- Mick Fleetwood, another Bluesbreakers alum, spoke highly of John Mayall's influence on his career, stating that the time he spent with the Bluesbreakers was instrumental in shaping his love for the blues and his eventual establishment of Fleetwood Mac.
- The California music scene was thrilled to have John Mayall perform live with the Bluesbreakers during his tour, as it offered fans the rare opportunity to witness the blues legend and his contemporaries like Mick Fleetwood and Eric Clapton collaborate on stage.
- The Bluesbreakers tour that John Mayall retired from in 2021 was a celebration of the band's illustrious past, featuring blues standards as well as songs from the band's rich history with stars like Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood.
