Goodbye John Mayall!
(Title image by DALL-E 3)
Hi WA Friends
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this blog post about the recent death of the man who is widely considered the "Godfather of the British Blues," John Mayall. He passed away on July 22 at the age of 90. John left an indelible mark on the music world with his profound influence on the British blues scene.
I could not bring myself to write this article at the time of his death, so I wrote about Google's new "privacy sandbox" initiative instead. Anyway, I hope it gives you a little break from the boredom of your day's routine; enjoy!
A Brief History
Jon Mayall playing a Fender TelecasterJohn was born on November 29, 1933, in Macclesfield, England. His early years were steeped in the rich sounds of jazz and blues, thanks to his father's extensive record collection. This early exposure shaped John's musical journey, leading him to pick up the guitar, harmonica, and piano, and eventually becoming a pivotal figure in the British blues explosion of the 1960s.
In 1963, Mayall formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that would become a launching pad for some of the most celebrated musicians in rock history! The Bluesbreakers' revolving lineup included legends such as Eric Clapton, Walter Trout, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, and Mick Fleetwood, each of whom went on to achieve monumental success. The 1966 album "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" remains a cornerstone of blues rock, showcasing Clapton's extraordinary guitar work and solidifying Mayall's status as a key influencer in the genre.
What Is The "Beano" Album?
The "Beano" album is a widely recognized nickname for the album "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton," which was released in 1966 by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. This moniker originates from the album cover, where Eric Clapton is seen reading a copy of the British comic book Beano. You can see Eric reading it on the album cover below, which I marked with a red arrow.
The "Beano" AlbumI wore this album out in the late '60s and early '70s, trying to nail Eric's blues riffs! Those were such great times for learning to play the guitar, and I took advantage of every minute of it! π
This album is legendary in the history of blues rock for several reasons:
- Eric Clapton's Guitar Work: The album showcases Clapton's masterful guitar playing and is often credited with establishing him as a guitar hero. His use of the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard and a Marshall amplifier on this album created a powerful and distinctive sound that influenced countless guitarists.
- Blues Rock Milestone: It is considered one of the first albums to blend traditional blues with rock elements, helping to define the blues rock genre.
- Influence and Legacy: The "Beano" album had a profound impact on the British blues movement and inspired many future musicians. It remains a seminal work in both John Mayall's and Eric Clapton's careers.
Tracks like "All Your Love" and "Hideaway" highlight Clapton's exceptional talent and innovative approach to the blues, making the "Beano" album a cornerstone of blues rock history.
Equipment Used
Courtesy of CHatGPT & Me. (For all you WA "Gearheads!")
Guitars
John used a variety of custom-made guitars, like the one in this photo.
However, here are some of the other commercially available guitars he also relied on to get his signature sound:
- Fender Telecaster: Mayall was often seen playing a Fender Telecaster, known for its bright, cutting tone.
- Gibson ES-335: This semi-hollow body guitar provided the warm, rich sounds characteristic of many Bluesbreakers recordings.
- Martin D-28: Mayall used this acoustic guitar for its deep, resonant sound, perfect for his bluesy acoustic numbers.
Amplifiers
- Marshall JTM45: This iconic amp was a staple during the early Bluesbreakers years, particularly when Clapton was in the band.
- Fender Bassman: Known for its powerful, clean tones, this amp was another favorite in Mayall's setup.
- Vox AC30: Mayall occasionally used this amp for its distinctive chime and clarity.
Effects
- Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face: Mayall employed this classic fuzz pedal to achieve gritty, overdriven sounds. Yes, it's the same pedal that Hendrix used!
- Vox Wah-Wah Pedal: This pedal added expressive, vocal-like tones to his solos.
- Echoplex Tape Delay: Used to create atmospheric echoes and delays, adding depth to his live performances.
What Is The Bluesbreakers Amp?
Marshall JTM45 "Bluesbreakers" guitar amplifierThe "Bluesbreakers amplifier" most commonly refers to the Marshall JTM45 combo amplifier, which became iconic due to its use on the "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" album, also known as the "Beano" album. This specific combination of the JTM45 and a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar played by Eric defined the groundbreaking tone that influenced countless guitarists.
Key Characteristics of the Marshall JTM45:
- Power: Around 30 watts, providing a robust yet manageable volume for both studio and live settings.
- Tubes: Equipped with 5881 output tubes, GZ34 rectifier tube, and 12AX7 preamp tubes, contributing to its warm, rich tone.
- Sound: Known for its smooth, creamy overdrive and dynamic response, making it ideal for blues and rock music.
- Build: Features a classic design with a simple control layout, typically including controls for bass, middle, treble, presence, volume, and a bright switch.
The combination of Clapton's guitar technique and the Marshall JTM45's tone on the Beano album helped cement the amplifier's status as a legendary piece of equipment in the history of rock and blues music.
Honors and Awards
John Mayall's contributions to music have been widely recognized and celebrated. Some of his notable honors include (Courtesy of ChatGPT):
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): Awarded in 2005 for his services to music.
- Blues Hall of Fame Inductee: Recognized by The Blues Foundation for his enduring impact on the blues genre.
- Grammy Nomination: Nominated for his album "A Sense of Place" in 1990.
- British Blues Awards Lifetime Achievement: Honored for his lifelong dedication to blues music.
Discography
John Mayall's extensive discography is a testament to his prolific career. Here is an abbreviated list of his recordings. His full works consist of 35 studio albums, 34 live albums, 24 compilation albums, four extended plays (EPs), and 44 singles!
If you have to listen to just one album, make it the Beano album (Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton - 1966)! However, if you like the blues, listen to everything in this list at least twice!
(Courtesy of ChatGPT)
- With the Bluesbreakers:
- "John Mayall Plays John Mayall" (1965)
- "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" (1966)
- "A Hard Road" (1967)
- "Crusade" (1967)
- "Bare Wires" (1968)
- "Blues from Laurel Canyon" (1968)
- Solo Albums:
- "The Turning Point" (1969)
- "Empty Rooms" (1969)
- "USA Union" (1970)
- "Back to the Roots" (1971)
- "Jazz Blues Fusion" (1972)
- "The Latest Edition" (1974)
- "Road Show Blues" (1980)
- "A Sense of Place" (1990)
- "Wake Up Call" (1993)
- "Stories" (2002)
- "Tough" (2009)
- "Nobody Told Me" (2019)
- Collaborations:
- "Blues for the Lost Days" with Buddy Guy (1997)
- "Along for the Ride" with Billy Gibbons and Steve Miller (2001)
My Bluesbreakers Weekend
This weekend, I'll be hosting a party to remember John Mayall. We're having a barbecue along with an extensive playlist of John's music and watching his video: "John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers - 70th Birthday Concert," which I've seen about a zillion times! Lol
The video features several special guests, including an appearance by Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor! If you don't own the DVD, you can find all the individual songs here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FzScQ4sDg4&list=PLqTrbHMYjYWOPe3nL_aqD6C4j0TxdgCre
In Conclusion
John Mayall's passing marks the end of an era for the blues, but his unwavering dedication, his ability to nurture young talent, and his innovative spirit have left an indelible mark on the music world. John's pioneering spirit and commitment to authenticity inspired countless musicians and brought the blues to a broader audience.
Tell Me What You Think!
Have you heard of John Mayall before? What is your favorite Mayall album? For all of you WA musicians out there, have you tried to play any of John's music? Which songs?
We'll miss you, John, but your music will live on forever!
I'll leave you with one of my Pinterest pins:
Me, trying to learn Bluesbreakers tunes in the 1960s! Lol πKeep On Rocking It! π€
Frank πΈ
~75% Human written content
Recent Comments
92
A good man is gone. I have to say I am not familiar with John Mayall, but so sorry for his loss. The one American Blues Rock Guitarist I know of and have seen him in concert is Joe Bonamassa. I go love his music.
Thanks for the great written article Frank!
Hi Rick
Thanks for commenting!
Yes, I love Joe Bonamassa, too, and Iβve seen him in concert three times.π
Rock On! π€
Frank πΈ
Read about his passing a couple of days back Frank and was waiting for your post about him....
A true legend of the music world and will never be forgotten!
RIP John and keep Rockin' it from the other side!!
πππΈπ»
What Rocking Olympic opening ceremony celebrations are you having then Frank??
π€πΈπππ»πΎ
Hi Nick
We're heading to our neighbors shortly. They're having a catered sushi party. Should be fun! π
How about you??
Rock the Olympics! π€π₯π€
Frank πΈ
Sounds great Frank and funnily enough I have just had sushi for dinner.... it's too damn hot to eat anything else!!
I'm just going to watch the rest of the ceremony, probably have another quick dip in the balcony pool then retire to the aircon in my bedroom!!
Haven't decided what film to slap on yet though!!
Rock the Olympics!!
πππ»πΈ
We had a great time, Nick!
Hope the rest of your night went well.
Are you planning on attending any of the Olympic events?
Frank π€πΈ
Happy to hear that Frank!!
There are a couple of football matches here in Lyon I have thought about attending, but.... in all honesty I doubt I will get to them!
And I am certainly not going to Paris!!
Rock On buddy!!
π€£πΈππ»πΉ
The football games sound great, Nick! ππ πβ½οΈ
Whenever possible, we have to make time for the things we enjoy doing. π
Rock the Weekend! π€π₯³π»πΉ
Frank πΈ
Absolutely Frank!
Waiting for a thunderstorm to hit here...
But unfortunately it seems to have passed us by......
Rock On my friend!!
πππΈπΈ
Hi Nick
What's unfortunate about missing a thunderstorm? Is it the accompanying temperature drop?
We've been experiencing one to two thunderstorms a week and losing power about 70% of the time. Luckily, we have a standby generator and enough propane to run it continuously for about seven days.
The longest we've ever been on generator is about 4 Β½ days. You can't play the electric guitar without an auxiliary power source, although I do have a few acoustic guitars for a dire emergency! Lol π π€£
Rock On! π€
Frank πΈ
It is indeed the accompanying temperature drop Frank!!
They knock the temps down from 90's + into the 70's or lower here....
Great for me as I HATE the heat!!
You will always be able to play guitar with your setup there buddy... this I have absolutely no doubt about!!
Rock On!!
πππΈπ€£πΈ
Hi Nick
Yeah, we see the temps drop with thunderstorms in the Northeastern USA, but not always.
I have to keep my music room temperature controlled, or none of my guitars will stay in proper adjustment, which means I'd have to readjust their neck relief and string intonation, not to mention it's bad for the wood and electronics.
It would be bad if I couldn't play guitar for even a single day. I might have a bit of a mental meltdown! Lol π π€£ π
Keep On Rockin'! π€
Frank πΈ
That's why you have a temperature controlled mancave Frank!!
I wish I could do the same in my apartment, but... I just need to make do with the aircon and balcony pool....
Luckily .... I don't have many guitars which need to be kept at a certain temperature..... just my beverages!!
ππ»π€£πΈππ
Hi Nick
Yes, bar facilities are certainly an important consideration!
Iβm sure you have that all under control. ππ
My dad had an extensive bar with anything you could imagine, including the alcohol and other ingredients needed to make all the Italian specialty drinks.
The funny thing was that he wasnβt much of a drinker, just a great host.
He would have a very small glass of homemade wine on Sunday with the big pasta meal and an Italian beer about once a month.
Iβm a lot like him in the drink department, but I make up for it with all the fun I can possibly have doing everything else. Lol π
Frank π€πΈ
When it comes to bar facilities Frank... I generally do!!
Your father sounds a lot like mine...
I just wish I could have followed in his footsteps like you did with yours!!
Great day at the Olympics today for team GB!!
I'm absolutely loving the action, just not the heat!!
Rock On buddy!!!
ππ»πΈπ€£ππΈ
Hi Nick
We all go our own way in life because weβre unique individuals. π
Iβm enjoying the Olympics, too. π
Stay Cool &.Keep On Rockinβ It! π€π»πΉ
Frank πΈ
Absolutely we do Frank!
Always Rockin' it and having fun.... but not easy to stay so cool over here at the moment unfortunately!!
ππ»ππΈπΉ
Hi Nick
Alcohol actually cools you off by lowering your core body temperature, but makes you feel warmer because it increases blood flow to the skin.
The solution: lots and lots of ice! Lol πΉπ
Frank π€πΈ
I have lots and lots of ice around me Frank.... the problem is it melts within minutes of taking it out of the freezer with these scorching temperatures!!
Back to the aircon soon!!
ππΉπ»ππΈ
I dont know who this guy was but thanks for the history lesson. Im not really a blues listener. Im not looking at the AI art,TMI- Frank!
You're welcome, Brenda. π
Muddy Waters once said, "The blues had a baby and called it rock and roll." πΆ
Rock On! π€π₯
Frank πΈ
Funny but true! My late hubby liked the blues music-not me, It put me to sleep! π΄. I woke up an hour ago the video made me nod off again. I have a dentist appt today so I cant be falling asleep right now.
Check out some of Walter Trout's stuff, Brenda, who also came from the Bluesbreakers band. π
Of course, Jimi Hendrix was very blues-based, too!
Good luck with your dentist appointment.
Frank πΈ
I am not wild about Walter Trout's stuff. My type of music will always be R&R, easy listening, and I love ballad songs, country, and soul music. I know some include the blues. As Elton John sings, "I guess that's why they call it the blues... (LOL) π€£πΈπ₯πΊ????π
Hi Brenda
Elton John is fabulous! ππ
How about somebody like Keb Mo? An acoustic R&B and country blues player. π
Frank πΈ
I like pop music too. I like many R& B Soul singers; my favorite was Luther Vandross ( wow, I love his love songs). I don't know who Keb Mo is. Stevie Wonder, Arthrea Franklin, Martin Gaye, Tina Turner, Peaches & Herbs, Gloria Gaynor, Anita Baker "Sweet Love" Barry White, Patti LaBelle, Donna Summer, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross,, Dionne Warrick, Whitney Houston, and her mother gospel singer, and some 70's Disco music too.
Hi Brenda
I had the honor of seeing Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and Whitney Houston in concert. π
All great performers! ππ
Frank πΈ
Hi Frank. I too was saddened by the news, but he had got to 90 and had a rich life. I actually heard the news from Walter, who is a Facebook friend of mine. He was always posting photos of himself and John.
RIP
Hi Dave
John did live a long and amazing life!
Walter Trout rocks, too!! ππ
We'll always have their music!
Frank π€πΈ
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A very sad loss indeed Frank to the world and the music industry.
Wow 90 years of age, funny how we are so used to listening to such legends from our own early years we forget how the age creeps up and that they are always there until it hits us.
Thank you for the post Frank πΈ
May we all keep on rocking both here and one day we will have a huge jam session there with the greats.
Andre π€πΉ
Hi Andre
I knew youβd be familiar with John and his music. He gave us decades of blues that made people happy all over the world. π
Stay well and keep on Rockinβ! π€πΉ
Frank πΈ
Very much so Frank
Keep on rocking to
Andre πΉ