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John Mayall Interview: Godfather of British Blues
John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers recently released 'In The Palace Of The King', a tribute to the music of the late, great Freddie King. It was therefore a good time to catch up with a genuine Blues legend...
The latest in a long line of album releases, 'In The Palace Of The King' sees John joined by his long-standing Bluesbreakers lineup of guitarist Buddy Whittington, drummer Joe Yuele, bassist Hank Van Sickle, and keyboardist Tom Canning alongside a fine horn section comprising of Lee Thornburg, Lon Price, and Red Holloway.
A Little History...
John Mayall shouldn't need any introduction to any self repecting guitar fan: for many music fans since the 1960's John has simply been known as the 'Godfather of British Blues'. The Bluesbreakers were a genuinely groundbreaking band, and were largely responsible for exposing traditional American blues to the British listeners and musicans that would soon change the face of music.
The Bluesbreakers pioneered an audaciously modern and exciting interpretation of the music of Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, Elmore James, and especially Freddie King. Moreover, the excitement that this new form of electric blues caused in the UK travelled back accross the Atlantic and helped create a new lease of life for blues music in the US and throughout the world.
John wasn't the first English musician to delve deeply into American blues music - Graham Bond and Alexis Korner were also deeply influential in the early 60s - but John had an unrivalled knack for spotting and hiring future guitar superstars. He recognised early on the importance that the electric guitar would have in modern blues, and over the years the songs of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers have featured some of the most innovative and influential blues guitar work in history.
Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor all went on to experience remarkable careers of their own, each possessing a unique touch, amazing flair and indeed a great aptitude for paying homage to the music of the original blues musicians.
The Bluesbreakers albums that featured the aforementioned guitarists are enduring classics - in particular the ubiquitous 1966 release 'John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton' - better known to most as the 'Beano' album.
American guitarists Walter Trout and Coco Montoya soon followed in the footsteps of the big three, and both guitarists have since built strong and enduring solo careers. For the last 15 years Texan Buddy Whittington has held this much envied position with great style and panache.
However, it would be incomplete to mention only guitarists when talking about the Mayall legacy, as there has been an amazing array of world class bass players (Jack Bruce, John McVie to name but two) drummers (Mick Fleetwood, Soko Richardson and others) and horn players through the ranks over the years.
As chief choreographer of the band's material - as well as its defining father - John Mayall has a long established ability to lift his fellow performers to the level of icon - an idol's 'idol' one might say!
Bandleader, lead vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist (harp, keyboards, guitar, sax...) at 74 years of age John still tours the globe, bringing his exciting brand of electric blues to music lovers and connoisseurs everywhere. I recently spoke with the genuine 'Godfather of British Blues'...