John Mayall ‘The Godfather Of British Blues’ Has Died

John Mayall, “The Godfather Of British Blues,” has died at age 90. The legendary musician died “peacefully in his California home” on Monday, July 22, “surrounded by loving family.”

A statement posted to Mayall’s website read:

“It is with heavy hearts that we bear the news that John Mayall passed away peacefully in his California home yesterday, July 22, 2024, surrounded by loving family. Health issues that forced John to end his epic touring career have finally led to peace for one of this world’s greatest road warriors. John Mayall gave us ninety years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire and entertain.”

Born on November 29, 1933, in Macclesfield, England, Mayall was motivated by his father’s record collection and developed a deep love for music from a young age. He taught himself to play piano, guitar and harmonica, driven by blues pioneers like Leadbelly and the boogie-woogie of Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson.

In the 1960s, Mayall formed the influential John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. The band served as a proving ground for some of the most notable British blues and rock musicians of the era, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Mick Taylor, Jack Bruce, Aynsley Dunbar and many others.

Mayall had over 60 albums credited to his name, blending traditional blues with elements of rock and jazz. His soulful vocals, combined with his virtuosity on multiple instruments, earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. His music and mentorship influenced countless musicians and helped shape the sound of British blues and rock.

Mayall’s landmark 1966 album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton showcased Clapton’s impressively skillful musicianship, establishing Mayall as a central figure in the British blues scene. Mayall’s signature approach to the blues can be heard on the 1969 live album, The Turning Point, which featured the hit “Room To Move.”

Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Mayall continued to experiment and evolve, continuing to blend jazz, rock, and blues in innovative ways. He collaborated with musicians like Blue Mitchell, Red Holloway and Harvey Mandel, leading to the reformation of The Bluesbreakers in the 1980s with guitarists Coco Montoya and Walter Trout revitalized his career, leading to well-received albums like Behind The Iron Curtain and Wake Up Call.

In 2008, Mayall officially retired The Bluesbreakers name. The following year saw the establishment of a new group with Mayall backed by guitarist Rocky Athas, bassist Greg Rzab and drummer Jay Davenport. This lineup performed live regularly over numerous years and recorded several albums together.

In 2013, Mayall signed with Forty Below Records and experienced a late-career resurgence, releasing several albums for the label. Mayall’s final studio album was 2022’s The Sun Is Shining Down. The archival live album, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers Live In 1967 Vol 3 featuring the original members of Fleetwood Mac – Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, was issued last fall.

Mayall’s contributions to music were recognized with many honors and awards, including induction into the Blues Hall Of Fame and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. In 2005, Mayall was was honored by the British government with appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He continued to perform and record well into his later years, until recent health issues forced Mayall to cease his “epic road dog days.”

According to Mayall’s website:

“An appointed OBE (Officer of the British Empire), 2x Grammy-nominated artist and recent inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, John is survived by his 6 children, Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak and Samson, 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He is also surrounded with love by his previous wives, Pamela and Maggie, his devoted secretary, Jane, and his close friends. We, the Mayall family, cannot thank his fans and long-list of bandmembers enough for the support and love we were blessed to experience secondhand over the last six decades.”