John Mayall, British blues icon and founder of the band Bluesbreakers, dies at the age of 90

John Mayall, a British musician who was called the “godfather of British blues” and played alongside legends such as Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood, died on Monday at the age of 90.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member died at his home in California and his death was confirmed by his family on social media. They cited “health issues” as the cause of death.

“It is with heavy hearts that we receive the news that John Mayall passed away peacefully yesterday, July 22, 2024, in his California home surrounded by his loving family,” the family wrote on Tuesday. “Health issues that forced John to end his epic touring career have finally brought peace to one of the world’s greatest road warriors. John Mayall gave us ninety years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire and entertain.”

Born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, in 1933, Mayall moved to London at the age of 30 and helped form the Bluesbreakers, a band with John McVie and Peter Ward that also included other notable members such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood.

During the 1960s, the group enjoyed great success in the UK, releasing five top 10 albums and notable records such as “The Turning Point” and “USA Union”.

In a 2014 interview with The Guardian, Mayall said: “The blues is – and always has been – about the brutal honesty with which it expresses our life experiences. That is something that all comes together in this music and also in the words. Something that is connected to us, that is common to our experiences.”

Mayall was still in his 80s and continued his career as an actor. In 2005, he was appointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II.

He was also inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016 and honored as a “musical influence” in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.

His songs “Wake Up Call” and “The Sun Is Shining Down” were both nominated for a Grammy.

Mayall was married twice, both times ending in divorce. He leaves behind his children Gaz, Red, Ben, Jason, Zak and Samson, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

With News Wire Services