Feature Image by Cristina Arrigoni
John Mayall The Godfather of British Blues, Dies at 90
Very few in the music world achieve the distinction of being titled by fans around the globe. Certain artists who made an indelible mark on the music of their day and beyond have been bestowed a title that forever identifies them without mention of their name. The King, The Queen of Soul, The Boss, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business…. The Godfather of British Blues.
On July 22, 2024, John Mayall passed away peacefully in his home, in the company of his family, at the age of 90. He is survived by a devoted family, including his six children, Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak and Samson, his sister Caroline Marston, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his ex-wives/mothers of his children, Pamela Wynn and Maggie Mayall Brown. He will also be lovingly remembered by his many close friends, loyal staff – namely his devoted secretary Jane Ebdon, dozens of bandmates, and scores of fans who have been touched and inspired by his amazing career.
John was born to Beryl and Murray Mayall on November 29th, 1933, in Macclesfield, England, and spent a great deal of his childhood amongst the backdrop of World War II. John shared his father’s passion for playing music and collecting records, and taught himself to play guitar, piano and harmonica while listening to those records by American jazz and blues artists.
After performing his National Service in Korea, graduating from Manchester College of Art and working for some time as an art designer, John turned his sites to his true passion: playing the blues. He moved to London and embarked on a juggernaut of a musical career. His band, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, boasted a legendary lineup of musicians who played with him on hit records and epic live performances – including guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor; bassists Jack Bruce and John McVie; drummers Mick Fleetwood and Aynsley Dunbar; more recently guitarists Walter Trout and Coco Montoya; and his final lineup that stuck with him until the end, Jay Davenport, Greg Rzab and Carolyn Wonderland – with many graduating to Rock and Roll stardom in their own right. As a staple on the London music scene during the 60’s, John’s influence extended beyond his own band members though. The effect of his efforts to spread the power of the blues can be heard throughout the music of the “British Invasion”. With a rugged individuality and distinctive voice and style, Mayall continually experimented with and stretched the blues, exerting a major influence on not just the genre itself, but rock music on the whole.
John moved to the United States in 1969, settling in Laurel Canyon, California to continue his musical journey with American musicians. A blues, rock and jazz musician, songwriter and producer, singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and keyboardist, he has given us nearly seven decades of ever-evolving musical excellence, always changing the music by changing the lineups and encouraging the players to express themselves, while staying true to blues foundations. His discography boasts 36 studio albums and 34 live recordings. His career has influenced both the music and culture of both home countries, and that influence has spread throughout the globe. His career has been recognized by two Grammy Award nominations and inductions to the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2005.
John Mayall retired from touring and recording in April of 2022 due to failing health and age. He rested peacefully in his California home until he finally succumbed to natural causes and illnesses of age. His was truly a special life.
John’s family has decided to have a small, private service, but his interment in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery will afford an opportunity for fans and admirers to pay their respects for years and generations to come.
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
