John Mayall RIP

viz

Just seen John Mayall has died at 90. RIP to a true founding father. 

BillDL

Very sad to hear that.  This is an odd coincidence because I put on The Last of the British Blues CD yesterday afternoon.  I haven't played that for probably 8 to 10 years.  I love that album, and in particular the songs "Tucson Lady", "The Teaser" and "The Bear".  I think his voice was probably at its best on that live album and his harmonica playing was terrific.

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

That's sad news. Heck of an innings and heck of a career - a genuine legend. 

RIP

DavidR

A great musician whose bands included some guitar greats like Peter Green and Eric Clapton. In his own way one of the great Bluesmen. RIP.

John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers - The Supernatural (youtube.com)
One of my all time favourites. Peter Green leads.

scrumhalf

One of the founding fathers of British blues and possibly the best spotter of talent of all time.

Very sad news. 

Humboldt

Saw him a couple of times at Green's Playhouse. Happy days.

 I remember as a schoolboy taking my copy of Bare Wires everywhere I went. Mick Taylor's playing on Hartley Quits was my main influence in playing electric blues.

Great innings and a great legacy.

stratman3142

Very sad news. A musical legend.

richardhomer

What a legacy. RIP, Sir.

guitars4you

If there was an academy for British Blues Players then John Mayall would be the head teacher - He sure left a legacy behind him - RIP and thanks for everything 

Penn

I saw him. He was the supporting  act for B.B. King. Sad news. 

rze99

The Great grandfather of British Blues. Incredible achievements. RIP.

Benm39

Another titan goes beyond. RIP

Jalapeno

Great Grand-Daddy of British Blues RIP

boogieman

A true blues legend, always willing to give young guns a chance and had some amazing talent in his bands over the years. RIP John. 

EricTheWeary

I saw him live about 15 years ago. Slightly hunched old man comes on stage and you think "oh well of it's terrible at least I'll be able to say I saw him" and then wow such great energy and playing. I remember his voice as a lot better than some of the recordings as well, great gig. 
There is a documentary about his early life (living in a tree house, etc) and there are some good gig recordings including one with Walter Trout and the 70th birthday gig. So hopefully BBC4,/Sky Arts can pull together a suitable tribute. 
Amazing career, lot of talent and decades of doing what he loved. RIP. 

RocknRollDave

The thing that struck home with me is that this was a guy who undoubtedly was doing it for the love of playing the music. Here was a guy who didn't get bitter when guitarists he nurtured were ready to move on to their own solo careers. He genuinely seemed to support musicians, and what he did, as far as I can tell, came from the heart not from the ego.

Rest well. 

Kittyfrisk

Definitely Legend status for John. He always seemed such a generous bandmate without ego that just wanted everyone to do their own thing & be happy, inside the band or moving on. RIP

Jalapeno

EricTheWeary said:

I saw him live about 15 years ago. Slightly hunched old man comes on stage and you think "oh well of it's terrible at least I'll be able to say I saw him" and then wow such great energy and playing. I remember his voice as a lot better than some of the recordings as well, great gig. 
There is a documentary about his early life (living in a tree house, etc) and there are some good gig recordings including one with Walter Trout and the 80th birthday gig. So hopefully BBC4,/Sky Arts can pull together a suitable tribute. 
Amazing career, lot of talent and decades of doing what he loved. RIP. 

The Bluesbreakers were truly a Blues Finishing School

ZenOvertone

RocknRollDave said:

The thing that struck home with me is that this was a guy who undoubtedly was doing it for the love of playing the music. Here was a guy who didn't get bitter when guitarists he nurtured were ready to move on to their own solo careers. He genuinely seemed to support musicians, and what he did, as far as I can tell, came from the heart not from the ego.

Rest well. 

RIP John Mayall (He even recommended Mick Taylor for the Stones after Brian)

1Strat2many

RIP John. Impossible to accurately summarise the huge impact he had on not only the Blues but music in general over the last 60 years or so. Thanks for the wonderful gigs, bands and records

57Deluxe

Many of the licks we covet are from the guitarists he nurtured through the Bluesbreakers.

We even owe the Bluesbreakers name associated to classic gear.

RIP