RIP BRITISH BLUES LEGEND, JOHN MAYALL, AGED 90.

A question! Name a group of British musicians that one might associate with former British Blues venues situated in London during the 1960’s, such as Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, The Crawdaddy in Richmond, Klooks Kleek in West Hampstead, The Flamingo, and The Marquee in Wardour St, Soho? The answer? John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

Musician Martin ‘Taurus’ Trakker said this of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, “A friend said to me, “This is the Blues – you should get into it!” Well, I did, and soon learned about Howling Wolf, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, BB King, and John Lee Hooker.” Back in the 1960’s the Decca record label showcased Mayall’s albums, and his ever changing line-ups, featuring the burgeoning talents of 1960’s British music; namely, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, John Hiseman, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Aynsley Dunbar, Duster Bennett, and Mick Taylor – shortly before he became a Rolling Stone. Mayall then moved to Los Angeles in 1970, continuing to make music for the rest of his life.

John’s son, Gaz Mayall, has also made vibrant music, while running Gaz’s Clubs for almost half a century. A shining light for music genre fusion – in particular, showcasing in Soho, Notting Hill, and at Glastonbury Festival within his Shangri-La enclave, annually. His shows at The Chelsea Arts Club have become a celebrated annual fixture. So today our thoughts go out to him, and his family. RIP John Mayall – The Big Man of British Blues.

Here are John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers filmed in 1969 with Mick Taylor on guitar, along with his 1968 album, which preceded Barewires