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John Mayall - A Special Life



Very few in the music world achieve the distinction of being titled by fans around the globe. Certain artists who made an indelible mark on the music of their day and beyond have been bestowed a title that forever identifies them without mention of their name. The King, The Queen of Soul, The Boss, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business…. The Godfather of British Blues.


On July 22nd, 2024, John Mayall passed away peacefully in his home, in the company of his family, at the age of 90. He is survived by a devoted family, including his six children, Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak and Samson, his sister Caroline Marston, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his ex-wives/mothers of his children, Pamela Wynn and Maggie Mayall Brown. He will also be lovingly remembered by his many close friends, loyal staff – namely his devoted secretary Jane Ebdon, dozens of bandmates, and scores of fans who have been touched and inspired by his amazing career. 


John was born to Beryl and Murray Mayall on November 29th, 1933, in Macclesfield, England, and spent a great deal of his childhood amongst the backdrop of World War II. John shared his father’s passion for playing music and collecting records, and taught himself to play guitar, piano and harmonica while listening to those records by American jazz and blues artists.


After performing his National Service in Korea, graduating from Manchester College of Art and working for some time as an art designer, John turned his sites to his true passion: playing the blues. He moved to London and embarked on a juggernaut of a musical career. His band, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, boasted a legendary lineup of musicians who played with him on hit records and epic live performances – including guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor; bassists Jack Bruce and John McVie; drummers Mick Fleetwood and Aynsley Dunbar; more recently guitarists Walter Trout and Coco Montoya; and his final lineup that stuck with him until the end, Jay Davenport, Greg Rzab and Carolyn Wonderland – with many graduating to Rock and Roll stardom in their own right. As a staple on the London music scene during the 60’s, John’s influence extended beyond his own band members though. The effect of his efforts to spread the power of the blues can be heard throughout the music of the “British Invasion”. With a rugged individuality and distinctive voice and style, Mayall continually experimented with and stretched the blues, exerting a major influence on not just the genre itself, but rock music on the whole.


John moved to the United States in 1969, settling in Laurel Canyon, California to continue his musical journey with American musicians. A blues, rock and jazz musician, songwriter and producer, singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and keyboardist, he has given us nearly seven decades of ever-evolving musical excellence, always changing the music by changing the lineups and encouraging the players to express themselves, while staying true to blues foundations. His discography boasts 36 studio albums and 34 live recordings. His career has influenced both the music and culture of both home countries, and that influence has spread throughout the globe. His career has been recognized by two Grammy Award nominations and inductions to the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2005.


John Mayall retired from touring and recording in April of 2022 due to failing health and age. He rested peacefully in his California home until he finally succumbed to natural causes and illnesses of age. His was truly a special life.


John’s family has decided to have a small, private service, but his interment in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery will afford an opportunity for fans and admirers to pay their respects for years and generations to come.

84 Comments


raynbene
Oct 12

I just today learned of John's passing, very sorry to hear, but what a life he lived. I've got many of his early Bluesbreakers albums, going back to the first. When I was in the Navy in San Diego in about 1971, I saw him in concert with his 'Jazz Blues Fusion' band. His 'Empty Rooms' album is a masterpiece to me. Who can forget 'Walking on Sunset", "Room to Move", "Hideaway", his drumless band era, all his innovations. The DVD of his 70th birthday concert remains in my collection. RIP John.

Edited
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I have listened to Johns music for many many years. I have loved the blues and the very special joyfull professionalism only he could make. Fortunately his music live on, as well as the memory of a great musician. Listening to his 70th birthday concert on dvd shows how much he loved the music and playing with onters. He attracted and fould the people who could play top class music. Juat a few years ago we had tickets in hand to a concert in Denmark - but the car broke down on the highway, and we had no chance to get there in time. Thats regretted very very often. I would have loved to thank him for the music. I…

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martin
Aug 17

My older brother was a big fan, so I grew up listening to John Mayall's music from the 1960s. I went to a number of his concerts around London in the 1970s and have a large LP collection of his music, supported by CDs as the format changed over the years. Whatever type of music I was into as I grew up, John's music was always there, it is vibrant, inspirational but at the same time relaxing and has so many memories for me. In 2018 I retired and moved to Portugal and was privileged to fly to Rome to see his concert in 2019, nothing had changed, the music was still brilliant. I once sent an email to his…


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John Mayall has been my "mentor" in blues since I was 16 to now 71 years old. R I P John.

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In 1971, as a 15-year-old, I heard John Mayall’s album The Turning Point for the first time – it was a true turning point for me. From that moment until now, I have collected and listened to most of John Mayall’s albums. Attending the concerts he played in Poland over many years, being able to listen to someone who was always in excellent musical form and had an amazing, direct connection with the audience, will remain an unforgettable memory for me.

RIP John Mayall

Roman M. Gdańsk, Poland


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