John Mayall, influential Blues musician, has died at 90

CNN
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Blues pioneer John Mayall recently 2024 Inductees Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician John McGregor has passed away at the age of 90.

The news was confirmed by Mayalls on Tuesday. Verified Facebook PageThe message was posted alongside a photo of the Grammy-nominated musician.

“It is with sadness that we receive the news that John Mayall passed away peacefully yesterday, July 22nd, 2024, at his home in California surrounded by his loving family. The health challenges that forced John to end his epic touring career have finally brought peace to one of the world’s greatest road warriors. John Mayall worked tirelessly to educate, inspire and entertain for 90 years,” the message read.

Mayall’s “raw honesty, connection, community and playing will continue to influence the music and culture we experience today and for generations to come,” the post continued.

CNN has reached out to Mayall’s representatives for further information.

Known as the “Godfather of British Blues” Rock and Roll Hall of FameSinger-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Mayall was a pioneer of British blues music in the 1960s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2016.

“John Mayall has had a profound influence on rock music, never diluting the blues and continually expanding its scope,” his biography reads. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame It is stated on the website.

Two-time Grammy-nominated artist Mayall was born in Cheshire, England, and according to the Hall of Fame, he was introduced to American jazz and blues from an early age and taught himself to play piano, guitar and harmonica.

In the early 1960s, Mayall brought together musicians to form the rock band The Bluesbreakers. Under his leadership, the band’s debut album, “The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton,” quickly became a best-selling classic.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1969, Mayall continued to front bands and release albums throughout the 1970s, becoming known for his innovations in jazz, rock and blues, the biography states. He released dozens of albums and toured throughout the United States and Europe.

Throughout his influential career, Mayall has collaborated with notable musicians such as Joe Walsh, Steve Van Zandt and Alex Lifeson.

“Famous for the many legendary musicians he recruited into his band the Bluesbreakers, including guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor, bassists Jack Bruce and John McVie, and drummers Mick Fleetwood and Aynsley Dunbar, Mayall also had a gift for mentoring talented younger musicians and bringing out the best in them,” the Hall of Fame said.

According to the Facebook post, Mr Mayall is survived by his six children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

“John, keep playing the blues somewhere,” the post read.

This is a developing story and will be updated.