(CelebrityAccess) — Multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and blues and rock legend John Mayall OBE died on Monday in Los Angeles at the age of 90.
His family announced his death in a statement, noting that he died peacefully at home, but the cause of death was not disclosed.
Mayall is best known as the founder and sole resident member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a British blues rock band who have released more than 70 albums, including 35 studio albums and 34 live albums. It has also promoted the careers of some of the most famous figures.
Over the years, the Bluesbreakers lineup included Eric Clapton, future Fleetwood Mac member John McVie, Mick Fleetwood ) and artists such as Peter Green, future Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, and Jack Bruce, who later became Cream bassist and vocalist.
Mayall was born in Cheshire in 1933 and served in Korea before studying art and design at Manchester College of Art. While still in school, he played in local bands before deciding to pursue a career in music.
Mayall founded the Bluesbreakers in 1963 and performed in London clubs until 1965 when Eric Clapton, who had just broken up with the Yardbirds, joined as guitarist.
In the 1970s, Mayall moved to the United States and began producing records for other blues artists, including Albert Collins, Shakey Jake Harris, and Buddy Guy.
To mark the 40th anniversary of his career, Mayall brought together some of the biggest names in blues and rock, such as Gary Moore, Steve Miller, Johnny Lang , Otis Rush, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Healey and Steve Cropper for “Along for the Ride ,” an anniversary album released in 2001.
He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016 and is scheduled to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a musical influence in October.
Mayall is survived by his six children – Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zach and Samson – seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his ex-wife Ma, who guided him later in his career. Gee Mayall.
In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Mayall shared his thoughts on what the Blues mean to him, saying: “[Blues] is about – and has always been about – raw honesty [it expresses] The experiences we have in life, all of that is concentrated in the music and reflected in the lyrics. Something that is relevant to us and consistent with our experiences.
He concluded the interview by stating, “To be honest, I don’t think anyone really knows what it is. I just can’t stop playing it.
