John Mayall, often hailed as the godfather of British blues, died at his home in California on July 22, 2024. His death was announced by his family on social media, revealing that he had been dealing with health issues. The family statement read, “John Mayall peacefully passed away at his home surrounded by his devoted family. 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 influence on the music industry is monumental. His band, the Bluesbreakers, was instrumental in launching the careers of iconic rock musicians like Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which intended to induct him in October under the Musical Influence Award, commemorated his significant contribution to the blues genre.
Mayall, born on November 29, 1933, in Macclesfield, England, was deeply influenced by American jazz and blues from a young age, thanks to his father’s record collection. After serving in the army and studying graphic design at Manchester College of Art, he moved to London in the early 1960s. In London, he started the Bluesbreakers, a band known for its rotating lineup of talented musicians. The 1966 album “Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton” is often credited with boosting Clapton’s career and cementing his status as a guitar legend.
“Being a blues-guitar sideman with the Bluesbreakers is the ultimate achievement. It’s like reaching Mount Everest,” guitarist Walter Trout said. “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.”
In the 1970s, Mayall moved to Los Angeles, California, 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. Even a fire in 1979 that destroyed his home and possessions did not dampen Mayall’s passion for music. He continued to record and tour into his 80s, with his last performance on March 26, 2022, at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California.
In a 2016 interview with Blues Blast magazine, Mayall shared 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.
Mayall’s discography is a testament to his innovative and collaborative spirit. 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, received high praise. 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 delight 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.”
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 prior wives, Pamela and Maggie, and a devoted secretary, Jane.
