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 forming Lo-Fi Masters. After the duo split, Mayer performed in local clubs, gaining recognition and performing at South by Southwest. He signed with Aware Records/Columbia Records, releasing his debut EP, Inside Wants Out (1999). His studio albums, Room for Squares (2001) and Heavier Things (2003), achieved critical and commercial success. "Your Body Is a Wonderland" from Room for Squares won him a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Sections (4)

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

2010: Playboy Interview Controversy and Apology

In 2010, John Mayer faced intense backlash for a controversial Playboy interview in which he made sexually explicit and racially insensitive comments. He subsequently apologized via Twitter and at a concert in Nashville.

2010: Withdrawal from Public Life

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

September 16, 2011: Born and Raised Album Delay

On September 16, 2011, John Mayer announced on his blog that his next record, Born and Raised, would be delayed due to treatment he was receiving for a granuloma discovered on his vocal cords.

October 20, 2011: Vocal Cord Surgery

On October 20, 2011, John Mayer posted that he had surgery to remove a granuloma on his vocal cords and was on complete vocal rest for a month or more.

March 9, 2012: Tour Cancellation

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.

May 2012: Release of 'Born and Raised'

In May 2012, John Mayer released his fifth studio album, Born and Raised, after its release was delayed due to the discovery of a granuloma on his vocal cords.

September 2012: Botox Injections

In September 2012, Dr. Gerald Berke paralyzed John Mayer's vocal cords with a series of high-dose Botox injections, hoping that they would allow the granuloma to heal.

March 2014: Lawsuit Against 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.