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 Telecaster

John 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" Album

I 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! 😎

This album is legendary in the history of blues rock for several reasons:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 amplifier

The "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 😆

Keep On Rocking It! 🤘
Frank 🎸

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