John Mayall - Newsletter

BLUES NEWS

BAND NEWS 2009 marks a new year with a new band, a new album and a new lease on John Mayall's musical life! Disbanding the former Bluesbreakers at the end of 2008 was not a decision made lightly and we wish those guys the best of luck on the continuing path of success, like many former John Mayall band members in the past. John Mayall's current touring band, notably including his latest guitar discovery from Texas, Rocky Athas, is rounded out with a hard-hitting blues rhythm section from Chicago: Greg Rzab on bass and Jay Davenport on drums; Tom Canning on organ and piano; and, of course, John Mayall on keyboards, organ, harmonica, guitar and vocals. Check out the newly updated BAND PAGE for more on the new band's individual members. LATEST RELEASE John Mayall's been busy this year! After completely changing his band lineup, recording a new album for Eagle Records and then embarking on an exhausting tour schedule this year, we are pleased to announce the release of John Mayall's 57th official album, "Tough." Release dates: September 7 in UK and Europe and September 15 in the US. We are currently taking orders at JohnMayall.com. Press Release: John Mayall's new album with his new band is gritty and urban, current and strong-a study in the struggle of the current state of the world, the difficulties with human relationships, the pitfalls of temptations and, finally, the promise of hope. Produced by John Mayall himself, this album is also the debut of his new band lineup, making this a new start with fresh new blood. A collection of 11 new songs, written by various artists and himself, constructs a statement about where, at nearly 76, he is at this point in his life, told from the wisdom of a man who has lived it all, with a voice of power and strength. To order, check out our Merchandise page. WEBSITE NEWS Check out the Listen To This! page, featuring 14 music clips of John Mayall's long and prolific creative output. With 57 official album releases (as of 2009).	TOUR NEWS Please check the TOUR PAGE for dates coming this Fall 2009, and continue to check for what will be coming up in 2010. John Mayall and his new band just completed extensive touring of Europe and UK this past summer, including several dates in UK opening for the great BB King. Check out our PHOTO GALLERY PAGE for lots of photos of the band on the road. FANMAIL Check out our Fanmail page, where you can leave a comment for John Mayall and his band instantly! We've kept the "Frequently Asked Questions" page, for those nagging questions that we got tired of answering over and over. We thank you for all your support over the years. MERCHANDISE NEWS On our Merchandise page, you can now hear short clips of some of the tracks on new nifty popup jukeboxes! We try to carry the latest CD's available. In addition, we carry exclusive designs for other merchandise and collectibles, like the new "Tough" World Tour Tshirt design! THE STORY OF OUR LOGO The original 1970 logo design by John Mayall The JohnMayall.Com logo was taken from an original design by John Mayall. This logo, for a short-lived label called "Crusade Records", is on a very rare album, "J.B. Lenoir", that John Mayall assembled for Polygram and includes recordings by Lenoir in Germany as well as interviews with his widow. Everything on this website is posted with John Mayall's personal input and approval. Long Live The Blues. - JohnMayall.com
In Memoriam
Johnny Almond died peacefully at home surrounded by wife Ginny, daughter Sharon, and son-in-law Chris at 5:45 pm PST, Wednesday, November 18. "It is always sad to lose a friend and today I heard of Johnny's passing after his long bout with cancer. He and I worked and played together many times over the years and I always found him to be both a remarkable sax player who could express himself in so many styles of music and a pleasure to be around on the road and in the studio. Apart from his contributions on various tracks on my albums 'So Many Roads', 'Empty Rooms' and 'Back to the Roots', he is perhaps best remembered for his brilliant tenor saxophone and flute playing on the live classic 'Turning Point' album. His playing on the track 'California' still gives me chills and I will miss him and his spirit." - John Mayall 18 Nov 09
The Passing Of Abu Talib, a.k.a. Freddy Robinson, on Oct 8, 2009: This is indeed sad news. I haven't been in touch with Freddy for many years and yet the memories I have of his contributions to my Jazz Blues Fusion days are still special to me. From recording studio sessions to our many adventures on the road from Australia to the UK to Europe and the USA his unique guitar and vocal contributions were always a high point of our live shows. As much for his music, my fellow musicians always appreciated his droll sense of humor and immaculate dress. I'll never forget one time when we stopped for gas at an Arizona truck stop in temperatures well over a hundred degrees when the rest of us wore shorts and tee shirts, Freddy stepped forth in his trademark three piece wool suit completely relaxed, comfortable and cool as you please! So long Freddy/Abu you were a great bluesman and a good friend. - John Mayall