British Blues Legend John Mayall Dead at 90
Musician John Mayall, considered the “godfather of the British blues,” has died at the age of 90 at his home in California. His family released a statement saying: “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 his 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 90 years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire and entertain.”
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No cause of death has been announced at this time, but the family’s statement eludes to the fact he may have been having health problems.
Born in Macclesfield, England, in 1933, he developed a love of music at a young age. Inspired by his musician father and growing up on American jazz and blues, he learned how to play piano, harmonica and guitar. By the 1950s, he was performing with bands and eventually moved to London in the early ’60s.
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Bringing his love of the Chicago Blues sound to Britain, he was considered a music pioneer. He created the band Bluesbreakers, and it was a revolving door for up-and-coming artists in the late 1960s and early 1970s, paving the way for Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce (they left to start Cream), Mick Taylor (who played with Rolling Stones) plus pre-Fleetwood Mac musicians Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. After disbanding the Bluesbreakers, he put out the album Laurel Canyon in 1968 and shortly thereafter moved to America.
While he may have never seen as much success as, say, Clapton, he still played well into his late 80s. He worked with many more artists over his long career and is set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this October under the Musical Influence Award.
Are you a fan of his music?
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