John Mayall 11/29/1933 - 7/22/2024
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 loving family. 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.
In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, John reflected, “[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.” That raw honesty, connection, community and playing of his will continue to affect the music and culture we experience today, and for generations to come.
An appointed OBE (Officer of the British Empire), 2x Grammy-nominated artist and recent inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, John is survived by his 6 children, Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak and Samson, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren and his sister Caroline. He is also surrounded with love by his previous wives, Pamela and Maggie, his devoted secretary, Jane, and his close friends. We, the Mayall family, cannot thank his fans and long-list of bandmembers enough for the support and love we were blessed to experience secondhand over the last six decades.
John closed that same Guardian interview by reflecting further on the blues, “To be honest, I don’t think anyone really knows exactly what it is. I just can’t stop playing it.” Keep on playing the blues somewhere, John. We love you.
I didn’t hear about John’s passing until yesterday ( 8-17-24) which really made me sad because he was an icon and a legend. Needless to say,I was shocked .His passing should have received more press coverage. Music is now without one of it’s greatest creative minds. The world is now a sadder place . RIP John. You will be terribly missed.
Gary Walker,Pennsylvania,USA, a lifelong fan.
That day, the 22nd, I was in a hotel and I remembered, I had heard of John Mayall a long time ago... I remembered this was my first concert here in the Apostolic Kingdom, I was young, life was ahead of me in 198...4...5...6...??? ...I don't even know anymore ...but I saw Him live and felt this...Yes !!!! The music hit me... And today the news came... which I must have avoided several times... That day I felt something from the other side of the earth..
I heard John Mayall first with around 16 on his album thru the years which was really a great start and mix of different bands, and I am now 58. Soon I bought other albums like the Beano-Album and a Hard Road and many others. I liked also his early trapper-type clothing style with the customized guitars. One sees clearly his formation as grafic artist, also on the album covers. I enjoyed also the jazz-blues period and later the bands with Coco Montoya and Walter Trout and Buddy Witthington. I had the pleasure to see him in several concerts in Switzerland. With his passing a great person and hero of the blues has gone. Thank you, John, for all thi…
john mayall was and is the leading blues man for me and i have many records with him . I am truly sorry for his loss. I will remember him when i listening to his records . God bless.
Roy
I’m so sad to hear of his passing, my deepest condolences to his familyWhat a pioneer that shaped some of the best in the business . Had the pleasure and honor of being able to see him live. Blues for the lost days John rest well.