John Mayall, a British musician dubbed “The Godfather of British Blues” who played alongside legends like Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood, died Monday at the age of 90.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer passed away at his home in California and his death was confirmed by his family on social media, who cited “health issues” as the cause.
“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 his loving family,” the family wrote Tuesday. “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.”
Born in 1933 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Mayall would move to London at 30 and help found the Bluesbreakers alongside John McVie and Peter Ward, a band that included other notable members like Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood.
During the 1960s, the group saw significant success in the UK, with five Top 10 albums and notable records like “The Turning Point” and “USA Union.”
In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Mayall said “[blues] is about – and it’s always been about – that raw honesty with which [it expresses] our experiences in life, something which all comes together in this music, in the words as well. Something that is connected to us, common to our experiences.”
Performing well into his 80s, Mayall would be named an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005.
He was also inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016, and honored in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a “Musical Influence” earlier this year.
His songs “Wake Up Call” and “The Sun Is Shining Down,” both earned Grammy nominations.
Mayall was married twice, both ending in divorce. He is survived by his children, Gaz, Red, Ben, Jason, Zak and Samson, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
With News Wire Services