John Mayall & The Blues Breakers

KBCS Presents

Genres: Blues , Rock , Rock Guitarist

Description

From an art college training, to three years with the British Army in Korea, to a successful career in graphic design, John Mayall's blues singing and playing took a back seat until he reached the age of 30. From 1956 until 1962, John was performing publicly on a part-time basis fronting The Powerhouse Four and, later on, The Blues Syndicate. It was then that Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated pioneered what was to become known as The British Blues Boom of the Late 60's. Alexis was quick to encourage and help John make his move to London where he soon secured enough club work to be able to turn professional under the name John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. After a couple of years and a constant turnover of musicians, he met his soulmate in Eric Clapton, who had quit the Yardbirds in favor of playing the blues. This historic union culminated in the first hit album for the Bluesbreakers and resulted in worldwide legendary status.

After Clapton and Jack Bruce left the band to form Cream, a succession of great musicians defined their artistic roots under John's leadership, and he became as well known for discovering new talent as for his hard-hitting interpretations of the fierce Chicago-style blues he'd grown up listening to. As sidemen left to form their own groups, others took their places. Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood became Fleetwood Mac. Andy Fraser formed Free, and Mick Taylor joined the Rolling Stones. As Eric Clapton has stated, "John Mayall has actually run an incredibly great school for musicians."

In October 2008 he made the decision to disband and retire the long standing Bluesbreakers, which caused quite a stir in blues circles and led to rumors about total retirement. Since then Mayall has made some guest appearances with Mark Hummel's Harmonica Blowout and so enjoyed the freedom that he decided to put together some new musicians with a view to touring on a more limited basis. The reaction to this plan has been so positive that two tours of Europe have been put together for 2009, including several shows with BB King in the UK. Eagle Records have also commissioned John to record a new album, his 55th to date, which is slated for release in fall 2009.

As for the man himself, the father of six and the grandfather of six, John Mayall, at 75, hopes to keep the blues alive for many more years to come.

For more information, visit www.johnmayall.com