A walking encyclopaedia of US & English blues & a musical trailblazer

July 24, 2024 11:17 AM

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.

John Mayall, pioneering figure of British blues, dies aged 90 [Grauniad]
John Mayall, tireless and influential British blues pioneer, has died at 90 [NPR]
Jagger leads tributes to blues pioneer John Mayall [BBC]
The John Mayall Interview (Complete) [Jake Feinberg Show]

Mick Jagger - Ronnie Wood - Eric Clapton - Christopher Watkins - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Guitar World

posted by chavenet (26 comments total)

Saw him with the Bluesbreakers (with Mick Taylor) in Austin in 1984-5. Incredible show, and I’m glad to have seen such an incredibly influential musician live. RIP, and thanks for the music.
posted by TedW at 11:24 AM on July 24 [1 favorite]

From the Guardian link: Mayall is due to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later this year, given the musical influence award alongside two other icons of the blues, Big Mama Thornton and Alexis Korner.

WTF? All of them should have been in ages ago.
posted by TedW at 11:29 AM on July 24 [6 favorites]

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posted by HearHere at 11:31 AM on July 24

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posted by whatevernot at 11:32 AM on July 24

And yet Clapton still lives. *sigh*

I do wonder - just much further under the rug the blues would have been swept if not for Mayall and his contemps.
posted by drewbage1847 at 11:33 AM on July 24 [8 favorites]

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posted by Thorzdad at 11:39 AM on July 24

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posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 11:51 AM on July 24

List of John Mayall band members
posted by pracowity at 12:10 PM on July 24 [4 favorites]

So you're saying he didn't wake up this morning?
posted by Paul Slade at 12:34 PM on July 24 [8 favorites]

Mayall was older than Robert Johnson's records.
posted by pracowity at 12:53 PM on July 24 [5 favorites]

Man, such an important figure in music, even if not well known to most fans of pop -- whose stuff owes so much to him.
posted by wenestvedt at 1:08 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]

chicka chicka what?

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posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 2:12 PM on July 24 [2 favorites]

Oh man, no words. He was part of my early musical education. Rest in power.
posted by Lynsey at 2:16 PM on July 24 [2 favorites]

Brand New Start

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posted by jabo at 2:46 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]

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posted by hortense at 2:54 PM on July 24

two immediate faves come to mind:

Good Times Boogie
Sitting in the Rain



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posted by philip-random at 3:26 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]

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posted by Pouteria at 3:49 PM on July 24

Back in college, one afternoon, I drank a Rainer Ale (aka Green Death), grabbed my flute and jammed along with a Bluesbreaker album my roommate had. It was a joyous afternoon. Thank you Mr Mayall! Now fifty years later, I think I have to get some of his records and do that again.

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posted by njohnson23 at 4:55 PM on July 24 [4 favorites]

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posted by mbo at 5:17 PM on July 24

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I remember thinking in 1967 at age 14 he at 34 was ANCIENT.
posted by skyscraper at 5:29 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]

My parents have spent their retirement going on Blues Cruises. They just departed a few days ago. As soon as I heard the news I messaged my mom to see if the news had hit the boat. According to her "the news spread like wildfire." I should have realized.

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posted by HunterFelt at 6:57 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]

Saw him perform with a broken leg. Standing up, if memory serves. Good times.
posted by BWA at 7:16 PM on July 24 [1 favorite]

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posted by pt68 at 8:11 PM on July 24

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posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:29 AM on July 25

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posted by Lesser Spotted Potoroo at 4:07 AM on July 25

Good memories of "The Turning Point" album that seems like a few light years ago. RIP
posted by DJZouke at 5:12 AM on July 25 [1 favorite]