John Mayall, a British blues musician and 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has passed away at the age of 90. Born in Cheshire, England, Mayall taught himself to play the piano, guitar, and harmonica before forming the Bluesbreakers rock band in the early 1960s. Their debut album with Eric Clapton became a best-seller and established Mayall as a pioneer of blues music in England. He is renowned for his jazz, rock, and blues innovations and collaborated with notable musicians such as Joe Walsh, Steve Van Zandt, Alex Lifeson, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and many others. Mayall is survived by six children, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Mayall's influence on rock music cannot be overstated. He was a serious talent magnet who recruited and mentored gifted young musicians like Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Aynsley Dunbar. His bands were training grounds for some of the most influential rock musicians in history.
Mayall's career spanned over six decades during which he released dozens of albums and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He was appointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 and inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016.
The music world mourns the loss of a true legend who gave us ninety years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire, and entertain. Mayall's raw honesty, connection, community, and playing will continue to affect the music and culture we experience today and for generations to come. Keep on playing the blues somewhere, John.
