Published 10:04 IST, July 24th 2024
John Mayall, Pioneer of British Blues, Dies Aged 90
In the 1960s, he formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that has counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues rock musicians.

John Mayall, the British blues musician, has died. He was 90 when he breathed his last on Monday, July 22 at his home in California. A statement was shared on Mayall's social media handle, confirming the news. The singer played an important role in the blues revival of the late 1960s. At various times, the Bluesbreakers included Eric Clapton and Bruce, later of Cream; Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac; Mick Taylor, who played five years with the Rolling Stones; Harvey Mandel and Larry Taylor of Canned Heat; and Jon Mark and John Almond, who went on to form the Mark-Almond Band.
John Mayall had health issues
A statement was shared on his Instagram handle along with a monochrome image of the singer. "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. 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," read the caption.
Soon after the post was shared, his fans flooded the comment section, condoling his death. A user wrote, "Goddamnit, I’m happy he lived a long life doing what he loved. RIP legend." Another wrote, "So sad. We’ve lost a legend. Rest in Peace." Another fan wrote, "Oh my God. I have listened to your music for 55 years. Thank you for your music, just wo derful, it has filled my heart, yeessss it has!" "Was so fortunate to see John live twice, back in the Bluebreakers days of his Clapton and later Sugarcane Harris line-ups. Incredible blues master," read a post by a fan.
All you need to know about John Mayall
He was an English blues and rock musician, songwriter and producer. In the 1960s, he formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that has counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues rock musicians.
Mayall protested in interviews that he was not a talent scout, but played for the love of the music he had first heard on his father's 78-rpm records. "I'm a band leader and I know what I want to play in my band — who can be good friends of mine," Mayall said in an interview with the Southern Vermont Review. "It's definitely a family. It's a small kind of thing really," as per a report in AP.
A singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and keyboardist, Mayall had a career spanning nearly seven decades. At ninety years old, Mayall was one of the oldest active musicians. He was selected for the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class and his 1966 album Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton, is considered one of the best British blues albums.
Updated 10:04 IST, July 24th 2024