British blues pioneer John Mayall has died, aged 90

Pioneering British blues and rock musician John Mayall has died at the age on 90.

Mayall’s passing was announced via his family on Facebook, writing in the early hours of July 23: “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.”

Often heralded as ‘The Godfather of British Blues’, Mayall was a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a love of American blues and jazz and a keen sense for spotting young talent, often giving them a platform through his band the Blues Breakers.

Born in America, Mayall relocated to London in the early ’60s and launched the Blues Breakers – then stylised as Bluesbreakers – in 1963, through which he pioneered the British blues and rock scene.

During the 1960s, the group would include a revolving door of rock royalty – many of whom would go on to become icons in their own rights – such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Aynsley Dunbar and future Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor.

In the early 1970s, Mayall returned to America, where he would continue working with rising talents. Experimenting with elements of jazz, funk and rock into his blues sound, he had collaborated with the likes of Paul Butterfield, Patti Smith, Canned Heat’s Larry Taylor and Harvey Mandel, Jesse Ed Davis, Rick Vito, Freebo, and more.

In 2005, Mayall was appointed as an OBE (Officer of the British Empire). He was due to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its ceremony in Cleveland this October.

Over the course of his illustrious and lengthy career, Mayall recorded and released well over 30 albums – both as the member of a band, and as a solo artist – with his last recording coming in the form of 2022’s ‘The Sun Is Shining Down’.

Following the news of his death, several musicians have paid tribute to John Mayall.

Mayall’s Bluesbreakers bandmate Walter Trout wrote on Facebook: “He is and will always be my musical mentor, my greatest supporter, and an incredible talent. We just lost a giant. I loved him like a father, and I always will.”

See more tributes below.

(2/3) With a rugged individuality and distinctive voice and style, he made visionary recordings that expanded the reach of the blues without ever watering them down.

— Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (@rockhall) July 23, 2024

(3/3) Mayall exerted a major influence on rock & roll, inspiring countless musicians and fans with a lifetime’s worth of unforgettable and influential music.

— Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (@rockhall) July 23, 2024