November 1933: Early Life and Musical Influences
John Mayall was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on November 1933, and grew up influenced by American blues musicians, learning to play multiple instruments.
November 1933: Birth of John Mayall
John Mayall was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, in November 1933.
1956: Formation of the Powerhouse Four
John Mayall, along with Peter Ward, formed the Powerhouse Four, playing at local dances.
1962: Joining the Blues Syndicate and Playing at the Twisted Wheel
Mayall joined the Blues Syndicate in 1962, performing regularly at the Twisted Wheel club in Manchester.
1963: Mayall's Move to London and Musical Career
In 1963, Mayall decided to pursue a full-time music career, moving to London and using his art skills to design album covers.
1963: John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers at the Marquee Club
Mayall's band, now called the Bluesbreakers, started performing at the Marquee Club in late 1963.
December 1964: Recording at Klooks Kleek and Contract Termination
In December 1964, a live performance of Mayall's band was recorded at Klooks Kleek, but their contract was later terminated due to lack of success.
1964: First Recording Session and Backing John Lee Hooker
The Bluesbreakers, with Mayall, had their first recording session in 1964 and later backed John Lee Hooker on his British tour.
April 1965: Eric Clapton Joins the Bluesbreakers
In a pivotal moment for John Mayall's career, Eric Clapton replaced Roger Dean as the guitarist for the Bluesbreakers in April 1965.
November 1965: Recordings and Lineup Changes
November 1965 marked significant recordings for Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. A live performance at London's Flamingo Club featured the lineup of Mayall, Clapton, Bruce, and Flint. This recording later contributed to the albums 'Looking Back' (1969) and 'Primal Solos' (1977). The same lineup also recorded the unreleased single "On Top of the World". Notably, Mayall and Clapton recorded "Lonely Years" and "Bernard Jenkins" without the others, releasing it as a single. These tracks resurfaced two decades later in Clapton's 'Crossroads' box set. In a session that same month, blues pianist-singer Champion Jack Dupree collaborated with Mayall and Clapton on a few tracks.
1965: The Bluesbreakers with and without Eric Clapton
In 1965, the Bluesbreakers gained significant attention with Eric Clapton. Clapton's temporary departure led to other guitarists filling in, including Peter Green. John McVie was briefly replaced by Jack Bruce.
April 1966: Recording 'Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton'
In April 1966, the Bluesbreakers recorded their second LP, 'Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton,' featuring Clapton's distinctive guitar style and marking a commercial breakthrough for Mayall.
July 1966: Release of 'Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton'
The album 'Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton' was released in July 1966 and became a critical and commercial success.
February 1967: Release of 'A Hard Road' and Collaboration with Paul Butterfield
The album 'A Hard Road,' featuring Peter Green on guitar, was released in February 1967. Mayall also released an EP with American blues harpist Paul Butterfield.
May 1967: Recording of 'The Blues Alone'
In a single day in May 1967, John Mayall recorded 'The Blues Alone,' showcasing his musical versatility by playing all instruments except for drums on half of the tracks, with Keef Hartley on drums.
July 1967: Recording Crusade and Extensive Touring
In July 1967, John Mayall's six-piece Bluesbreakers lineup, featuring Mick Taylor on lead guitar, recorded the album "Crusade." The band embarked on an extensive international tour throughout the year, with Mayall diligently recording their performances.
1967: Live in 1967 Release
Recordings from Mayall's 1967 performances featuring Peter Green, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood were remastered by Eric Corne and released as "Live in 1967" in three volumes.
1967: Departure of Peter Green and Formation of Fleetwood Mac
Peter Green left the Bluesbreakers to form Fleetwood Mac, which would later include other Mayall collaborators like John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.
February 1968: Lineup Changes and Release of Bare Wires
Following a US tour in February 1968, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers underwent further lineup changes. Bassist Keith Tillman was briefly replaced by Andy Fraser, who then left to join Free. Tony Reeves took over on bass, while Jon Hiseman replaced Hartley on drums. Henry Lowther joined on violin and cornet. This lineup recorded the album "Bare Wires," which reached No. 6 in the UK.
February 1968: Release of Diary of a Band and Lineup Changes
John Mayall released the double album "Diary of a Band, Vols. 1 & 2" in February 1968, compiled from recordings made during the previous year's tour. The Bluesbreakers underwent several lineup changes during this period, with John McVie departing and being replaced by Paul Williams, followed by Keith Tillman, and Dick Heckstall-Smith joining on saxophone.
August 1968: Formation of Colosseum and New Lineup for Blues from Laurel Canyon
In August 1968, Jon Hiseman, Tony Reeves, and Dick Heckstall-Smith departed John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to form the band Colosseum. Mayall recruited drummer Colin Allen and bassist Stephen Thompson, joining him and Mick Taylor for the recording of "Blues from Laurel Canyon."
June 1969: Mick Taylor Joins the Rolling Stones
After nearly two years with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, guitarist Mick Taylor left the band to join the Rolling Stones in June 1969.
1969: Release of "Looking Back"
The compilation album 'Looking Back' was released, featuring tracks from a live performance by Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, including Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, recorded in November 1965.
July 1970: Recording USA Union in Los Angeles
John Mayall recorded "USA Union" in Los Angeles on July 27-28, 1970, with a lineup featuring Harvey Mandel on guitar, Larry Taylor on bass, and Don "Sugarcane" Harris on violin.
November 1970: Beginning of Back to the Roots Project
In November 1970, John Mayall commenced work on his ambitious double album "Back to the Roots," featuring collaborations with numerous notable musicians he had worked with previously.
January 1971: London Sessions for Back to the Roots
John Mayall's "Back to the Roots" sessions took place in London in January 1971, featuring a star-studded lineup of musicians, including Eric Clapton.
August 1971: Production of Albert King Session and Subsequent Tour
John Mayall produced a jazz-influenced recording session for blues musician Albert King in August 1971. Following the session, Mayall assembled a band and embarked on a tour with the musicians involved.
1973: Release of Moving On
John Mayall released the live album "Moving On" in 1973, showcasing a jazz-oriented sound and featuring some personnel changes from his previous live album, "Jazz Blues Fusion."
1974: Release of The Latest Edition and European and Asian Tour
In 1974, John Mayall released "The Latest Edition," produced by Tom Wilson for Polydor Records. The album featured a lineup that included jazz saxophonist Red Holloway. The band then embarked on a tour of Europe and Asia.
1977: Release of "Primal Solos"
The album 'Primal Solos' was released, featuring tracks recorded during a live performance by John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers in November 1965.
1978: Release of The Last of the British Blues
John Mayall released the live album "The Last of the British Blues" in 1978, marking a return to a more traditional electric blues sound.
1979: House Fire in Laurel Canyon
In 1979, a brush fire destroyed Mayall's home in Laurel Canyon, causing significant damage to his musical collections and archives.
1982: Marriage to Maggie Mayall
John Mayall married American blues performer Maggie Mayall in 1982. She would take part in the management of his career.
1982: Reunion Tour with Mick Taylor, John McVie, and Colin Allen
John Mayall reunited with former Bluesbreakers members Mick Taylor, John McVie, and Colin Allen in 1982 for a two-year world tour.
1984: Reformation of the Bluesbreakers
John Mayall reformed the Bluesbreakers in 1984 with a lineup featuring guitarists Walter Trout and Coco Montoya, bassist Bobby Haynes, and drummer Joe Yuele.
1999: Release of The Masters
The double CD "The Masters," released in 1999, documents John Mayall's exploration of acoustic instrumentation and his collaboration with Jon Mark and John Almond.
2001: Release of Along for the Ride
To celebrate his 40th year in music, John Mayall released "Along for the Ride" in 2001, featuring collaborations with numerous guest musicians.
July 2003: 70th Birthday Celebration Concert
John Mayall celebrated his 70th birthday with a special concert at the Liverpool Arena on July 19, 2003, featuring guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, and Chris Barber.
2004: Release of The Godfather of British Blues/The Turning Point DVD
The DVD "The Godfather of British Blues/The Turning Point," released in 2004, further documents John Mayall's shift towards acoustic music and his work with Jon Mark and John Almond.
2005: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire
In 2005 John Mayall was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Honours List.
2005: Appointment as an OBE
John Mayall was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2005 Honours List, recognizing his contributions to music.
November 2008: Disbanding of the Bluesbreakers
John Mayall announced the disbanding of the Bluesbreakers on his website in November 2008, aiming to reduce his workload and explore new musical collaborations.
March 2009: Start of Solo World Tour
John Mayall embarked on a solo world tour in March 2009, featuring a new backing band.
September 2009: Release of New Album
John Mayall released a new studio album in September 2009, recorded with his touring band.
2011: Divorce from Maggie Mayall
John Mayall and Maggie Mayall divorced in 2011.
2013: Signing with Forty Below Records
John Mayall signed with producer Eric Corne's label, Forty Below Records in 2013. They would go on to produce four studio albums together.
2015: Release of 'Live in 1967 Volume I'
Forty Below Records released 'Live in 1967 Volume I,' featuring a live performance by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, including Peter Green, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood, recorded in 1967.
2015: Publication of John Mayall: The Blues Crusader
In 2015, Dinu Logos published "John Mayall: The Blues Crusader", the first biography of Mayall to include exhaustive details of every band he put together and every recording he made.
2016: Release of 'Live in 1967 Volume II'
Forty Below Records released 'Live in 1967 Volume II,' a follow-up to the previous year's release, featuring another live performance from the same 1967 recording session with the same lineup.
2016: Induction into the Blues Hall of Fame
John Mayall was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016.
2018: Carolyn Wonderland Joins the Band
In 2018, Mayall brought Carolyn Wonderland into his band as his first female lead guitarist.
August 2019: Publication of Blues From Laurel Canyon: My Life As A Bluesman
Co-written with Joel McIver, John Mayall's autobiography, "Blues From Laurel Canyon: My Life As A Bluesman", was published in August 2019 by Omnibus Press.
2020: 2020
2020
July 2024: Death of John Mayall
John Mayall died in July 2024 at his home in California at the age of 90.
July 2024: Death of John Mayall
John Mayall passed away in July 2024 at the age of 90.
2024: John Mayall's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In 2024, John Mayall was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the musical excellence category.
2024: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
John Mayall was selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024 in the musical influence category.