It took white boys from the British Isles to popularise the black American blues music across the world. And at the forefront of this movement was the man known as the ‘Godfather of British Blues’ - John Mayall, who passed away a week ago at 90 after living a very productive and well-lived life. 

Mayall’s father was a guitarist at the local club in Macclesfield, Cheshire and little Mayall picked up the guitar, piano and harmonica at an early age after getting inspired by his father’s collection of American Blues records by Lead Belly, Albert Ammons and Eddie Lang. 

After having finished his National Service in the army Mayall joined the Manchester College of Art, while continuing with his musical pursuits albeit now with an electric guitar. He worked as a graphic designer for a while, while forming blues bands and playing in the local clubs till he met the other British blues giant - Aexis Korner, who encouraged him to move to London to be a part of the emerging blues scene. Mayall moved to the big city and started performing in clubs in Soho and even made his first LP – ‘John Mayall Plays John Mayall’ in 1965. 

In 1966 he formed the Blues Breaker with the already legendary 21 years Eric Clapton (fresh from The Yardbirds) along with the bassist John McVie and drummer Hughie Flint and together (with some major session musicians) they created the most seminal blues album – ‘Blues Breakers’. “If the blues prophets were Mayall and Korner, and the god Clapton,” wrote Clapton’s biographer Harry Shapiro, “then this album was the bible.”

Post this album Clapton left to form Cream and John Mayall’s Blues Breakers became a blues institution of sorts through which every musician worth his salt went through. Blues giants like Mick Taylor, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Jack Bruce (to name a few) went through Mayall’s school and created an identity of their own.

Later, in the early 70’s Mayall moved to the Laurel Canyon scene in the US and continued to be the guiding light of blues with regular release of albums, touring and collaborating with contemporary blues musicians.

In 2018 the man performed at the Mahindra Blues Festival, Mumbai as the highlight act and by some stroke of luck, I was in the city, and I made sure I was there to witness the legend. At 84, he was nothing short of incredible with an enthusiasm of a 20 year old who has just discovered the joys of this crazily beautiful genre called blues. A genre that he was extremely instrumental in creating and popularising. 

In his tribute video note, Eric Clapton emotionally conveyed, “He was my mentor and a surrogate father too. He taught me all I really know and gave me the courage and enthusiasm to express myself without fear or without limit.”  That says it all about the great John Mayall. Travel well, Sir.

By Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan ‘meem’ is a Dubai based business and marketing consultant, poet and a music journalist. He also has a wide range of vinyl in his collection ranging from jazz, blues, classical, rock, pop and old Hindi film albums. Meraj's first book of poems, ‘Khyaalon Ki Tapri’ was an instant bestseller and he has just released his second book of poems, 'Boondon Si Baatein'.