Challenges Faced by John Mayer: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of John Mayer. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

John Mayer is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He briefly attended Berklee College of Music before relocating to Atlanta and forming Lo-Fi Masters. Following the duo's split, he continued performing in local clubs and gained recognition. His performance at South by Southwest led to a record deal with Aware Records, releasing his debut EP, Inside Wants Out, in 1999. Mayer achieved critical and commercial success with his first two studio albums, Room for Squares (2001) and Heavier Things (2003). "Your Body Is a Wonderland" from Room for Squares earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, while Heavier Things topped the Billboard 200.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

2006: Mayer Begins Using Marijuana

In 2006, John Mayer mentioned that he had begun using marijuana, a shift from his earlier resolve to avoid drugs and alcohol, coinciding with increased tabloid exposure due to his relationship with Jessica Simpson.

2007: Mayer's Personal Life Becomes Gossip Fodder

By 2007, John Mayer's personal life, including relationships with celebrities like Jessica Simpson, had become regular fodder for gossip media, leading him to make efforts to control his public image.

2010: Controversial Playboy Interview

In 2010, John Mayer gave a controversial interview to Playboy magazine where he made sexually explicit comments about his former girlfriends and used a racial slur. This led to accusations of misogyny, being a kiss-and-tell ex-boyfriend, and racism.

2010: Withdrawal from Public Life

In 2010, John Mayer withdrew from public life following several controversial incidents with the media.

September 16, 2011: Born and Raised Album Delay Announcement

On September 16, 2011, John Mayer announced on his blog that his next record, Born and Raised, would be delayed due to treatment for a granuloma discovered on his vocal cords. He described it as a "temporary setback".

October 20, 2011: Vocal Cord Surgery Announcement

On October 20, 2011, John Mayer announced that he had undergone surgery to remove a granuloma from his vocal cords and would be on complete vocal rest for a month or more, during which he planned to travel the country.

March 9, 2012: Tour Cancellation Announcement

On March 9, 2012, John Mayer announced that he had been forced to cancel his tour and refrain from all singing indefinitely due to the return of the granuloma on his vocal cords.

May 2012: Mayer Reflects on Controversial Period

In May 2012, John Mayer reflected on the controversial period following his 2010 Playboy interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

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May 2012: Release of 'Born and Raised' and Tour Cancellation

In May 2012, John Mayer released his fifth studio album, Born and Raised, after a delay due to the discovery of a granuloma on his vocal cords. He was forced to cancel the album's accompanying tour.

September 2012: Botox Treatment and Saturday Night Live Appearance

In September 2012, John Mayer received Botox injections to paralyze his vocal cords in an attempt to heal the granuloma. During his vocal rest, he appeared on Saturday Night Live, accompanying musical guest Frank Ocean on guitar.

March 2014: Mayer Sues Watch Dealer

In March 2014, John Mayer sued watch dealer Robert Maron for $656,000 after discovering that seven of the watches he purchased contained counterfeit parts.

May 2015: Mayer Drops Lawsuit Against Watch Dealer

In May 2015, John Mayer dropped the lawsuit against Robert Maron, a watch dealer, after research restored his belief that Maron was an expert on Rolex watches and never sold him a counterfeit watch.

2016: Mayer Reveals Sobriety

In 2016, John Mayer revealed that he had been sober since that year. He decided to stop drinking alcohol after experiencing a six-day hangover following Drake's 30th birthday party.