John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

John Mayall (1933–2024) was an English guitarist and bandleader who led multiple lineups of the Bluesbreakers. They released four albums between 1966 and 1968 on Decca. The Bluesbreakers served as a launch pad for members of Cream, Fleetwood Mac, Colosseum, and Mark–Almond.

Members: John Mayall (vocals, organ, piano, harmonica, guitar), John McVie (bass, 1963-65, 1965-67), Bernie Watson (guitar, 1963), Hughie Flint (drums, 1963-66), Roger Dean (guitar, 1963-65), Eric Clapton (lead guitar, vocals, 1965-66), Jack Bruce (bass, 1965), Peter Green (lead guitar, vocals, 1966-67), Aynsley Dunbar (drums, 1966-67), Mick Fleetwood (drums, 1967), Mick Taylor (lead guitar, 1967-69), Keef Hartley (drums, 1967-68), Chris Mercer (saxophone, 1967-68), Rip Kant (tenor saxophone, 1967), Paul Williams (bass, 1967), Keith Tillman (bass, 1967), Andy Fraser (bass, 1967-68), Dick Heckstall-Smith (saxophone, 1967-68), Jon Hiseman (drums, 1968), Tony Reeves (bass, 1968), Henry Lowther (cornet, violin, 1968), Stephen Thompson (bass, 1968-69), Colin Allen (drums, 1968), Jon Mark (guitar, 1969-70), Johnny Almond (saxophone, flute, 1969)

Background

John Brumwell Mayall was born on November 29, 1933, in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, and grew up in Cheadle Hulme. His father, Murray Mayall, played guitar in pubs and kept jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie records at the family home. The younger Mayall studied those records and taught himself guitar, ukulele, harmonica, and piano.

After Manchester Junior School of Art, he worked in window display before National Service in the British Army, including a posting to Korea. He returned to Manchester and entered Manchester Regional College of Art, where he trained as a graphic artist. In 1956, he formed the Powerhouse Four with drummer Peter Ward for local dances. After graduation, he worked as a typographer and graphic artist for a Manchester advertising agency.

In 1962, Mayall joined the Blues Syndicate, a Manchester group with guitarist Ray Cummings, trumpeter John Rowlands, alto saxophonist Jack Massarik, and drummer Hughie Flint. Within that lineup, Mayall sang and played electric piano, guitar, and harmonica. The Blues Syndicate held a residency at the Bodega on Cross Street and worked all-night R&B sessions at the Twisted Wheel. At the Bodega, the group supported Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated in 1962. Korner urged Mayall toward a full-time career in London and helped him secure musicians and gigs.

In 1963, Mayall moved his family to London and formed the Bluesbreakers. The first London lineup paired Mayall with Ward, bassist John McVie, and guitarist Bernie Watson. The band played the Marquee Club and the Flamingo in Soho. By early 1964, the Bluesbreakers played small clubs six nights a week. Mayall left day work as a draftsman during that period. During spring 1964, Mayall and the Bluesbreakers cut “Crawling Up a Hill” (b/w “Mr. James”) for producer Ian Samwell.

On May 8, 1964, Decca issued the single under the John Mayall and the Blues Breakers credit. For that session, Mayall sang and played organ and harmonica beside guitarist Bernie Watson, bassist John McVie, and drummer Martin Hart. After the single, guitarist Roger Dean replaced Watson and drummer Hughie Flint replaced Hart. During the same club phase, Mayall and the Bluesbreakers backed John Lee Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson on British dates and accompanied T-Bone Walker on a club tour.

On December 7, 1964, Mayall and the Bluesbreakers recorded at Klooks Kleek in West Hampstead with guitarist Roger Dean, bassist John McVie, drummer Hughie Flint, and tenor saxophonist Nigel Stanger.

John Mayall Plays John Mayall

John Mayall released his debut long-player, John Mayall Plays John Mayall, on March 25, 1965, on Decca.

The album documents the Bluesbreakers live at Klooks Kleek in West Hampstead, London, with Mayall, Dean, McVie, and Flint joined by saxophonist Nigel Stanger. The tracklist contains eight Mayall originals, “I Need Your Love,” and covers associated with Brenda Holloway (“When I’m Gone”), Jimmy Forrest (“Night Train”), and Little Richard (“Lucille”). Mayall plays organ, nine-string guitar, and the Cembalet electric piano.

A1. “Crawling Up a Hill” (2:21)
A2. “I Wanna Teach You Everything” (3:05)
A3. “When I’m Gone” (3:08) – Robinson
A4. “I Need Your Love” (4:08) – Spriggs, Spriggs
A5. “The Hoot Owl” (2:35)
A6. “R&B Time: Night Train / Lucille” (2:15) – Forrest, Simpkins, Washington; Collins, Penniman

B1. “Crocodile Walk” (2:26)
B2. “What’s the Matter With You” (2:34)
B3. “Doreen” (2:46)
B4. “Runaway” (2:25)
B5. “Heartache” (2:57)
B6. “Chicago Line” (4:10)

Mayall recorded John Mayall Plays John Mayall on December 7, 1964, at Klooks Kleek with producer Tony Clarke.

Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers released their self-titled debut studio album, known at large as Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton, on July 22, 1966, on Decca.

The album presents the Clapton lineup with McVie and Flint, plus a horn section on “Key to Love,” “Have You Heard,” and “Steppin’ Out.” Clapton sings lead on Robert Johnson (“Ramblin’ on My Mind”). The remaining covers draw from Otis Rush (“All Your Love”), Freddie King (“Hideaway”), Ray Charles (“What’d I Say”), Mose Allison (“Parchman Farm”), Memphis Slim (“Steppin’ Out”), and Little Walter (“It Ain’t Right”).

“All Your Love” smolders through answering fills, a slow arpeggio, and a late double-time shift. “Hideaway” clips notes through boogie figures, quick downslides, and high bends. “Little Girl” snaps into organ-and-lead unison, then hands the middle bars to a pizzicato low-line answer. “Another Man” pares the track to vocal, harp, and handclaps.

“Double Crossing Time” broods over piano figures and long, overdriven sustain. “Have You Heard” opens with horns and a high tenor break before Clapton’s solo bends above Mayall’s vocal. “Ramblin’ on My Mind” strips down the arrangement around Clapton’s lead vocal. “Steppin’ Out” darts through off-rhythm phrases, compressed licks, and a final feedback note.

A1. “All Your Love” (3:33) – Rush
A2. “Hideaway” (3:15) – King, Thompson
A3. “Little Girl” (2:35)
A4. “Another Man” (1:45)
A5. “Double Crossing Time” (3:02) – Clapton, Mayall
A6. “What’d I Say” (4:25) – Charles

B1. “Key to Love” (2:06)
B2. “Parchman Farm” (2:20) – Allison
B3. “Have You Heard” (5:55)
B4. “Ramblin’ on My Mind” (3:07) – Johnson
B5. “Steppin’ Out” (2:30) – Frazier
B6. “It Ain’t Right” (2:40) – Jacobs

The Bluesbreakers recorded Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton in May 1966 at Decca Studios in London with Mike Vernon producing and Gus Dudgeon engineering. Photographer David Wedgbury shot the cover image of Mayall, Clapton, McVie, and Flint.

Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart.

A Hard Road

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers released their second studio album, A Hard Road, on February 17, 1967, on Decca.

A Hard Road introduces guitarist Peter Green after Clapton’s exit and adds drummer Aynsley Dunbar to most of the sessions. Green sings lead on Willie Cobbs (“You Don’t Love Me”) and his own “The Same Way,” and he contributes the instrumental “The Supernatural.” The album also includes covers associated with Freddie King (“The Stumble,” “Someday After a While”) and Elmore James (“Dust My Blues”).

“A Hard Road” keens over ringing piano and an economical solo. “It’s Over” drives a shuffle through harp-and-lead unison and stop-time fills. “Another Kinda Love” staggers through heavy brass, riffing organ, and a late solo rise. “Dust My Blues” attacks the riff with twin six-string lines and bottleneck snap.

“There’s Always Work” huffs through double-tracked harp, reverb moans, and an amplified pedal hum. “The Same Way” lingers on stop-start entries, mixed-down Green vocal, Mayall harmonies, and a controlled solo. “The Super-Natural” coils around mallets, tom-toms, minor-rumba figures, counter-organ lines, and held feedback notes. “Someday After Awhile” slows under added brass and suspended lead notes. “Living Alone” lopes through a lolloping low-line pattern.

A1. “A Hard Road” (3:12)
A2. “It’s Over” (2:51)
A3. “You Don’t Love Me” (2:50) – Cobbs
A4. “The Stumble” (2:54) – King, Thompson
A5. “Another Kinda Love” (3:06)
A6. “Hit the Highway” (2:17)
A7. “Leaping Christine” (2:25)

B1. “Dust My Blues” (2:50) – James, Josea
B2. “There’s Always Work” (1:38)
B3. “The Same Way” (2:11) – Green
B4. “The Supernatural” (2:57) – Green
B5. “Top of the Hill” (2:40)
B6. “Someday After a While (You’ll Be Sorry)” (3:02) – King, Thompson
B7. “Living Alone” (2:23)

The Bluesbreakers recorded A Hard Road on October 11, 12, 19, and 24 and November 11, 1966, at Decca Studios in London with Vernon producing and Dudgeon engineering. Mayall designed the sleeve and painted the cover.

A Hard Road reached No. 8 on the UK Albums Chart.

The Blues Alone

In November 1967, John Mayall released The Blues Alone, a forty-minute live solo album on Ace of Clubs, a Decca subsidiary.

The Blues Alone contains twelve Mayall originals. Mayall plays the keyboard, guitar, and harmonica parts, with drummer Keef Hartley on eight titles. “Brand New Start,” “Down the Line,” “Marsha’s Mood,” and “Catch That Train” feature Mayall without Hartley.

A1. “Brand New Start” (3:27)
A2. “Please Don’t Tell” (2:33)
A3. “Down the Line” (3:44)
A4. “Sonny Boy Blow” (3:50)
A5. “Marsha’s Mood” (3:15)
A6. “No More Tears” (3:12)

B1. “Catch That Train” (2:19)
B2. “Cancelling Out” (4:20)
B3. “Harp Man” (2:44)
B4. “Brown Sugar” (3:44)
B5. “Broken Wings” (4:16)
B6. “Don’t Kick Me” (3:11)

Mayall recorded The Blues Alone on May 1, 1967, at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, London, with Mayall and Vernon producing. Dudgeon and Dave Grinstead engineered the album. Mayall designed the sleeve, and John Peel wrote the liner notes.

The Blues Alone reached No. 24 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 128 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Crusade

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers released their third studio album, Crusade, on September 1, 1967, on Decca.

Crusade introduces guitarist Mick Taylor and drummer Keef Hartley. McVie completes the rhythm section, while saxophonists Chris Mercer and Rip Kant join the album lineup. The tracklist includes covers associated with Albert King (“Oh, Pretty Woman”), T-Bone Walker (“My Time After Awhile”), Eddie Kirkland (“Man of Stone”), Freddie King (“Driving Sideways”), Otis Rush (“I Can’t Quit You Baby”), Gene Barge (“Me and My Woman”), and Sonny Boy Williamson II (“Checkin’ Up on My Baby”).

“Oh, Pretty Woman” charges with brassy support, Mayall’s direct vocal, and Taylor’s sharp lead lines. “Stand Back Baby” darts from bottleneck accents to a harp break. “My Time After Awhile” stretches through a tenor solo and a long six-string answer. “Snowy Wood” turns an organ bed into a stated theme, then lets horns repeat the line.

“Man Of Stone” careens through fast-tempo harmonica-and-saxophone counterpoint and repeated title calls. “Tears in My Eyes” slows around a sustained lead and a pained vocal. “Driving Sideways” cuts across precise piano and front-line instrumental breaks. “Death Of J.B. Lenoir” recites its lament over piano and baritone color. “Streamline” rides a prominent organ part.

A1. “Oh, Pretty Woman” (3:40) – Williams
A2. “Stand Back Baby” (1:50)
A3. “My Time After Awhile” (5:15) – Badger, Feinberg, Geddins
A4. “Snowy Wood” (3:41) – Mayall, Taylor
A5. “Man of Stone” (2:29) – Kirkland
A6. “Tears in My Eyes” (4:20)

B1. “Driving Sideways” (4:03) – King, Thompson
B2. “The Death of J. B. Lenoir” (4:27)
B3. “I Can’t Quit You Baby” (4:35) – Dixon
B4. “Streamline” (3:19)
B5. “Me and My Woman” (4:05) – Barge
B6. “Checkin’ Up on My Baby” (3:59) – Williamson

The Bluesbreakers recorded Crusade on July 12, 1967, at Decca West Hampstead Studios in London with Vernon producing. Mayall painted and designed the cover.

Crusade reached No. 8 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 136 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Bare Wires

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers released their fourth studio album, Bare Wires, on June 21, 1968, on Decca.

Bare Wires presents the final sixties Bluesbreakers studio lineup, with Taylor joined by saxophonists Mercer and Dick Heckstall-Smith, cornetist and violinist Henry Lowther, bassist Tony Reeves, and drummer Jon Hiseman. Side one contains the seven-part “Bare Wires” suite. The second side contains four Mayall originals, the Mayall–Taylor “No Reply,” and Taylor’s “Hartley Quits.”

“Bare Wires” fades from lone harmonium into the suite’s next entry. “Where Did I Belong” drifts through acoustic figures, violin lead, and lightly tapped tom-toms. “I Started Walking” jolts from reversed cymbal resonance into one-chord motion, feedback, and Taylor’s heated lead. “Open Up A New Door” struts through plucked accents, brass drops, a saxophone break, and free-form horn lines.

“Fire” scatters double-tracked vocal, harmonica, backward guitar, and found-sound bed. “I Know Now” hushes into reverb-wrapped voice, slow organ, soft brass, buried wah-wah, and harpsichord. “Look in The Mirror” pivots from a piano lead to a bass break, dual-horn solo, broken glass, and sped-up keys. “No Reply” bounces on bongos, wah-wah tracks, harp, and an abrupt freak-out coda. “Sandy” thins to slide and violin.

A1. “Bare Wires” (1:25)
A2. “Where Did I Belong” (3:05)
A3. “I Started Walking” (2:20)
A4. “Open Up a New Door” (3:00)
A5. “Fire” (3:45)
A6. “I Know Now” (5:35)
A7. “Look in the Mirror” (2:51)

B1. “I’m a Stranger” (5:14)
B2. “No Reply” (3:09) – Mayall, Taylor
B3. “Hartley Quits” (2:55) – Taylor
B4. “Killing Time” (4:48)
B5. “She’s Too Young” (2:22)
B6. “Sandy” (3:50)

The Bluesbreakers recorded Bare Wires on April 3, 9, 24, and 30, 1968, at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, London, with Mayall and Vernon producing and Derek Varnals engineering. Pete Smith and Jan Persson supplied photography.

Bare Wires reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 59 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Blues from Laurel Canyon

John Mayall released his first solo studio album, Blues from Laurel Canyon, in November 1968 on Decca (UK) and London Records (US).

Blues From Laurel Canyon follows the end of the Bluesbreakers name and presents Mayall with Taylor, bassist Stephen Thompson, and drummer Colin Allen. Peter Green adds guitar to “First Time Alone.” All twelve titles are Mayall originals tied to his 1968 visit to Los Angeles.

A1. “Vacation” (2:47)
A2. “Walking on Sunset” (2:50)
A3. “Laurel Canyon Home” (4:33)
A4. “2401” (3:42)
A5. “Ready to Ride” (3:32)
A6. “Medicine Man” (2:43)

B1. “Somebody’s Acting Like a Child” (3:27)
B2. “The Bear” (4:40)
B3. “Miss James” (2:30)
B4. “First Time Alone” (4:49)
B5. “Long Gone Midnight” (3:27)
B6. “Fly Tomorrow” (9:00)

Mayall recorded Blues From Laurel Canyon on August 26–28, 1968, at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, London, with Mayall and Vernon producing. Varnals engineered the album, with Adrian Martins assisting. Mayall designed the sleeve; Dominique Tarlé, Stephen C. LaVere, and Rob Bosboom supplied photography.

Blues From Laurel Canyon reached No. 33 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 68 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The Turning Point

In October 1969, John Mayall released The Turning Point, a live solo album recorded on July 12 at the Fillmore East in New York City.

The Turning Point documents Mayall’s drummerless quartet at the Fillmore East in New York City. The lineup pairs Mayall with guitarist Jon Mark, reed player Johnny Almond, and bassist Thompson. Mayall wrote the set, with Thompson co-credited on “California” and “Thoughts About Roxanne.”

A1. “The Laws Must Change” (7:21)
A2. “Saw Mill Gulch Road” (4:39)
A3. “I’m Gonna Fight for You J.B.” (5:27)
A4. “So Hard to Share” (7:05)

B1. “California” (9:30) – Mayall, Thompson
B2. “Thoughts About Roxanne” (8:20) – Mayall, Thompson
B3. “Room to Move” (5:03)

Mayall recorded The Turning Point on July 12, 1969, at Bill Graham’s Fillmore East with Eddie Kramer engineering. Mayall produced the album and supplied artwork, design, photography, and liner notes. Barrie Wentzell, Bob Gordon, Tapani Tapanainen, and Zill also supplied photography.

The Turning Point reached No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Empty Rooms

John Mayall released his second solo studio album, Empty Rooms, in March 1970 in Polydor.

Empty Rooms uses the drummerless lineup from The Turning Point, with Larry Taylor also present on bass. Mark co-writes “Don’t Pick a Flower,” “Something New,” and “Waiting for the Right Time.” Thompson co-writes “Don’t Waste My Time,” while Mayall writes the remaining eight titles.

A1. “Don’t Waste My Time” (3:10) – Thompson, Mayall
A2. “Plan Your Revolution” (2:38)
A3. “Don’t Pick a Flower” (3:53) – Mark, Mayall
A4. “Something New” (4:40) – Mark, Mayall
A5. “People Cling Together” (2:53)
A6. “Waiting for the Right Time” (5:36) – Mark, Mayall

B1. “Thinking of My Woman” (2:29)
B2. “Counting the Days” (5:33)
B3. “When I Go” (4:46)
B4. “Many Miles Apart” (2:56)
B5. “To a Princess” (3:34)
B6. “Lying in My Bed” (4:21)

Mayall recorded Empty Rooms at De Lane Lea Studios and Advision Studios in London, Broadway Recording Studios in New York, and Larrabee Sound Studios in Hollywood. Mayall produced the album with engineers Barry Ainsworth, Kramer, Eddy Offord, and John Judnich. Bob Gordon and Kevin McCarthy supplied photography.

Empty Rooms reached No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 33 on the Billboard 200 chart.

USA Union

John Mayall released his third solo studio album, USA Union, in October 1970 on Polydor.

USA Union replaces the Mark–Almond front line with an American trio: guitarist Harvey Mandel, bassist Larry Taylor, and violinist Don “Sugarcane” Harris. The album contains ten Mayall originals and continues the drummerless format from the preceding live and studio albums.

A1. “Nature’s Disappearing” (5:58)
A2. “You Must Be Crazy” (3:58)
A3. “Night Flyer” (5:36)
A4. “Off the Road” (2:51)
A5. “Possessive Emotions” (5:22)

B1. “Where Did My Legs Go” (3:48)
B2. “Took the Car” (4:11)
B3. “Crying” (6:30)
B4. “My Pretty Girl” (4:24)
B5. “Deep Blue Sea” (5:06)

Mayall recorded USA Union on July 27–28, 1970, at Larrabee Studios in Los Angeles. Mayall produced the album, and Judnich engineered the sessions. Leonard Feather wrote the liner notes, while Gordon, Tapanainen, and Nancy Throckmorton supplied photography.

USA Union reached No. 50 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 22 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Back to the Roots

John Mayall released the double-album Back to the Roots in March 1971 on Polydor.

Back to the Roots gathers former Mayall players and current Los Angeles associates for eighteen Mayall originals. Guitarists Clapton, Mandel, Jerry McGee, and Taylor divide the guitar credits. Bassists Larry Taylor and Thompson, drummers Keef Hartley and Paul Lagos, reedist Almond, and violinist Harris complete the main recording cast.

A1. “Prisons on the Road” (4:18)
A2. “My Children” (5:10)
A3. “Accidental Suicide” (6:17)
A4. “Groupie Girl” (3:53)
A5. “Blue Fox” (3:43)

B1. “Home Again” (4:56)
B2. “Television Eye” (7:32)
B3. “Marriage Madness” (3:36)
B4. “Looking at Tomorrow” (6:57)

C1. “Dream With Me” (5:21)
C2. “Full Speed Ahead” (5:21)
C3. “Mr. Censor Man” (4:44)
C4. “Force of Nature” (6:34)
C5. “Boogie Albert” (2:15)

D1. “Goodbye, December” (5:24)
D2. “Unanswered Questions” (4:42)
D3. “Devil’s Tricks” (7:45)
D4. “Travelling” (4:42)

Mayall recorded Back to the Roots on November 15–25, 1970, at Larrabee Sound Studios in Los Angeles and IBC Studios in London. Mayall produced the album with engineers Damon Lyon-Shaw and Judnich. Barrie Wentzell, Tarlé, Gered Mankowitz, and Throckmorton supplied photography.

Back to the Roots reached No. 31 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 52 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Memories

John Mayall released his fifth solo studio album, Memories, in November 1971 on Polydor.

Memories presents Mayall in a trio with guitarist Jerry McGee and bassist Larry Taylor. Mayall writes all ten titles, which form a personal sequence about family, childhood, distance, and return. The album continues the drummerless format from USA Union.

A1. “Memories” (5:00)
A2. “Wish I Knew a Woman” (5:17)
A3. “The City” (4:54)
A4. “Home in a Tree” (3:21)
A5. “Separate Ways” (4:41)

B1. “The Fighting Line” (4:02)
B2. “Grandad” (4:38)
B3. “Back From Korea” (5:10)
B4. “Nobody Cares” (3:56)
B5. “Play the Harp” (5:21)

Mayall recorded Memories on July 7–9, 1971, at Larrabee Sound Studios in Los Angeles. Mayall produced the album. The original LP credits the album to John Mayall, Jerry McGee, and Larry Taylor.

Memories reached No. 179 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Discography: