Music giants Sir Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton have honored the late John Mayall, a monumental figure in British music, following his peaceful passing at age 90 in California, surrounded by loved ones. Widely revered as the godfather of British blues, Mayall’s influence rippled through generations of artists and helped shape the very DNA of rock music.
Mayall was best known for forming The Bluesbreakers, a legendary incubator of talent that launched the careers of icons like Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor. His deep devotion to the blues ignited a cultural movement and revived a genre that would go on to inspire some of the biggest names in rock history.
In a heartfelt video posted to X, Eric Clapton shared a deeply personal tribute, crediting Mayall with giving him the direction and purpose he desperately needed as a young artist. “He rescued me from oblivion,” Clapton said. “He taught me to listen to myself, to play with heart, and to chase the music I loved—no matter what anyone else thought.”
Sir Mick Jagger also reflected on Mayall’s impact, calling him a “pioneer” and recalling how he helped the Rolling Stones during a pivotal time. It was Mayall who recommended guitarist Mick Taylor to the Stones following the death of Brian Jones, ushering in a new era for the band.
Ronnie Wood called Mayall “a musical trailblazer for all of us,” praising his encyclopedic knowledge of blues and his role in nurturing a generation of guitar legends.
Mayall’s journey began in Macclesfield and grew from humble roots, inspired by the American blues records in his father’s collection. Self-taught on piano, guitar, and harmonica, he built a career on passion rather than celebrity. Despite never chasing commercial accolades, he remained a relentless force in music—recording, touring, and mentoring well into his late 80s.
His most famous work, the 1966 album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, is considered a cornerstone of British blues. The Bluesbreakers, under Mayall’s guidance, became a revolving door of future superstars, including Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, and Aynsley Dunbar. Even Mick Taylor, who later joined the Stones, spent his formative years under Mayall’s wing.
Mayall’s influence reached far beyond the UK. He relocated to the U.S. in the late ’60s, releasing the acclaimed Blues from Laurel Canyon, and continued pushing musical boundaries. Over the decades, he adapted his sound while remaining rooted in blues tradition.
His dedication was unwavering. In 1982, he briefly reassembled the Bluesbreakers with original members like Taylor and McVie. In 2008, he retired the Bluesbreakers name and led the John Mayall Band into a new era. Despite his low profile, he earned widespread respect for his authenticity and work ethic.
Mayall received an OBE in 2005, a Grammy nomination for his album Wake Up Call, and was honored with a second nomination in 2022 for The Sun Is Shining Down. In 2024, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which described him as a “visionary” and a “major influence on rock and roll.”
Fellow musicians echoed this sentiment. Steve Hackett, former Genesis guitarist, called him a “true champion of the blues,” while Joe Bonamassa paid tribute with a photo and a simple message: “Rest in Peace, my friend.”
Though Mayall never reached the mainstream fame of some of his protégés, his legacy is undeniable. His Bluesbreakers were more than a band—they were a movement. And Mayall, with his gravelly voice, fierce independence, and passion for the blues, was its unwavering heart.
He is survived by his six children—Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak, and Samson—along with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
John Mayall once said, “I’ve never had a hit record. I never won a Grammy. Rolling Stone never did a piece about me. I’m still an underground performer.” And yet, few artists have shaped modern music the way he did.
Rest easy, John. The blues—and the world—will never forget you.
