Blues Legend John Mayall Dies

Known as the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall died July 22 in his California home at the age of 90.  No specific cause of death was given; only health issues.  Reports are that Mayall was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

In his native Great Britain, Mayall was considered a pioneer and legend who helped to launch the careers of numerous musicians including Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor.

Over the course of his career, Mayall was a part of The Bluesbreakers and played with many artists including Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Mick Taylor, Coco Montoya, and Albert Collins. He continued playing well into his 80’s.

He is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He was born John Brumwell Mayall on November 29, 1933 in Macclesfield, England.  While his father played the guitar and banjo, it was the boogie-woogie piano albums that spawned an interest in playing the piano and later added the harmonica and guitar that attracted a young John

Mayall is survived by his children – Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak, and Samson – seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.  He was married and divorced twice – both of whom survive him.

John Mayall discography:
“Plays John Mayall”
“Blues Breakers”
“Crusade”
“The Blues Alone”
“A Hard Road”
“Bare Wires”
“Blues from Laurel”
“Blues Giant”
“Diary of a Band, Vol 2”
“Live”
“So Many Roads”
“The Turning Point”
“Diary of a Band”
“Empty Rooms”
“USA Union”
“Memories”
“Back to the Roots”
“Beyond the Turning Point”
“John Mayall: Live in Europe”
“Jazz Blues Fusion”
“Moving On”
“Ten Years are Gone”
“Latest Edition”
“New Year, New Band, New Company”
“Notice to Appear”
“A Banquet in Blues”
“John Mayall”
“Lots of People”
“The Last of the British Blues”
“Bottom Line”
“No More Interviews”
“Road Show Blues”
“Behind the Iron Curtain”
“Chicago Line”
“A Sense of Place”
“Wake Up Call”
“Return of the Bluesbreakers”
“Cross Country Blues”
“The 1982 Reunion Concert”
“Spinning Coin”
“Blues for the Lost Days”
“The Adventures of John Mayall”
“Padlock on the Blues”
“Live at the Marquee, 1969”
“Reaching for the Blues”
Along for the Ride”
“Stories”
“Blues forever”
“70^th Birthday Concert”
“The Private Collection”
“In the Palace of the King”
“Diary of a Band Vol. 1 & 2”
“Tough”
“A Special Life”
“Find a Way to Care”
“Talk About That”
“Rock it in the Pocket”
“Three for the Road”
“Nobody Told Me”
“The Sun is Shining Down”
“British Blues”

Feature photo credit: Blues guru John Mayall, from a concert at the Notodden Blues festival in 2004.