John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
Encyclopedia
John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers are a pioneering English blues band, led by singer, songwriter
, and multi-instrumentalist
John Mayall
, OBE
. Mayall used the band name between 1963 and 1967, but then dropped it for some fifteen years. However, in 1982 a 'Return of the Bluesbreakers' was announced and the name has been kept since then. The name has become generic without a clear distinction which recordings are to be credited just to the leader or to leader and his band. The Bluesbreakers have included luminaries such as:
Eric Clapton joined in April 1965 just a few months after the release of their first album. Clapton brought guitar-led blues influences to the forefront of the group; he had left The Yardbirds
in order to concentrate on the blues.
The first single released by John Mayall and his band, in May 1964, was the song "Crawling Up a Hill" with "Mr. James" as the b-side, the band on the single were Peter Ward, John McVie
on bass, Bernie Watson on guitar, and Martin Hart on drums." After the single release Bernie Watson was replaced by Roger Dean
and Martin Hart was replaced by Hughie Flint
. This line-up played with John on John Mayall Plays John Mayall
. After this the band released a single called "Crocodile Walk" with "Blues City Shakedown" as the b-side. The single was produced by Decca producer Tony Clarke
. Roger Dean then left the group and was replaced by Eric Clapton.
The group lost their record contract with Decca
that year, which also saw the release of a single called "I'm Your Witchdoctor" (produced by Jimmy Page
) in October 1965, the first credited to John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, followed by a return to Decca in 1966. Then in August 1966 The Bluesbreakers released the single "Lonely Years" with the b-side "Bernard Jenkins", which was released by Purdah Records. The album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was released in July; it reached the Top Ten
in the UK.
Shortly after Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was released Eric Clapton went to see Buddy Guy
in concert, and being impressed by his trio, the idea for Cream was formed and he left to form this new group with Ginger Baker
and Jack Bruce
. Clapton was replaced by Peter Green
for A Hard Road
, after which he left to form Fleetwood Mac.
Then Mick Taylor
joined the group and they recorded Crusade
on July 12, 1967. Soon after, McVie joined Fleetwood Mac and was replaced by Tony Reeves
for the album Bare Wires
which was their highest charting UK album. Taylor then left to join The Rolling Stones
and the name "Bluesbreakers" was dropped from John Mayall albums.
By the time the 1960s were over, the Bluesbreakers had finally achieved some success in the United States.
With some interruptions, the Bluesbreakers have continued to tour and release albums (over 50 to date), though they never achieved the critical or popular acclaim of their earlier material. In 2003, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and Chris Barber reunited with the band for John Mayall's 70th Birthday Concert
in Liverpool
— the concert was later released on CD and DVD. In 2004, their line up included Buddy Whittington
, Joe Yuele, Hank Van Sickle
and Tom Canning, and the band toured the UK with Mick Taylor as a guest musician.
In November 2008 Mayall announced on his website he was disbanding the Bluesbreakers to cut back on his heavy workload and give himself freedom to work with other musicians. A 2009 solo tour with Rocky Athas (formerly of Black Oak Arkansas
) was the first musical venture John Mayall undertook after disbanding his former band. Former band member, Johnny Almond died on 18 November 2009 from cancer
, aged 63.
As of 2011 the Bluesbreakers are reformed and touring Britain and Canada. John Mayall is joined by Rocky Athas, Greg Rzab and Jay Davenport.
From John Mayall's website only:
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, and multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
John Mayall
John Mayall
John Mayall, OBE is an English blues singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose musical career spans over fifty years...
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. Mayall used the band name between 1963 and 1967, but then dropped it for some fifteen years. However, in 1982 a 'Return of the Bluesbreakers' was announced and the name has been kept since then. The name has become generic without a clear distinction which recordings are to be credited just to the leader or to leader and his band. The Bluesbreakers have included luminaries such as:
- Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
(April–August 1965, November 1965–July 1966) and Jack BruceJack BruceJohn Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
, both later reuniting in CreamCream (band)Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
, - Peter GreenPeter Green (musician)Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
, who had replaced Clapton, played until August 1967, when he departed with Mick FleetwoodMick FleetwoodMichael John Kells "Mick" Fleetwood is a British musician and actor best known for his role as the drummer and namesake of the blues/rock and roll band Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of John McVie, was the inspiration for the name of the originally Peter Green-led Fleetwood Mac...
and then also enticed Bluesbreaker John McVieJohn McVieJohn Graham McVie is a British bass guitarist best known as a member of the rock group Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the band's name...
a few weeks later to form Fleetwood MacFleetwood MacFleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
, - Mick TaylorMick TaylorMichael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
(August 1967–July 1969) who later joined The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, and reunion tours in 1982–83 and 2004, - Harvey MandelHarvey MandelHarvey Mandel is an American guitarist known for his innovative approach to electric guitar playing. A professional at twenty, he played with Charlie Musselwhite, Canned Heat, The Rolling Stones, and John Mayall before starting a solo career...
, Walter TroutWalter TroutWalter Trout is an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.-Biography:Trout's career began on the Jersey coast scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s. He then decided to relocate to Los Angeles where he became a sideman for Percy Mayfield and Deacon Jones...
, Larry TaylorLarry TaylorLarry Taylor is an American bass guitarist, best known for his work as a member of Canned Heat from 1967. Before joining Canned Heat he had been a session bassist for The Monkees and Jerry Lee Lewis...
(Mandel, Trout and Taylor left Canned HeatCanned HeatCanned Heat is a blues-rock/boogie rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1965. The group has been noted for its own interpretations of blues material as well as for efforts to promote the interest in this type of music and its original artists...
to join Mayall), - Don "Sugarcane" Harris, Randy ResnickRandy ResnickRandy Resnick , is a guitarist who has played with many blues and jazz luminaries, such as Don "Sugarcane" Harris, John Lee Hooker, John Klemmer, John Mayall and Freddie King. He published a CD of his own music in 1995.-Career:...
, Aynsley DunbarAynsley DunbarAynsley Thomas Dunbar is an English drummer. He has worked with some of the top names in rock, including Eric Burdon, John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Ian Hunter, Lou Reed, Jefferson Starship, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Whitesnake, Sammy Hagar, UFO, and Journey...
, Dick Heckstall-SmithDick Heckstall-SmithDick Heckstall-Smith was an English jazz and blues saxophonist. He played with some of the most important English blues-rock and jazz fusion bands of the 1960s and 1970s.-Early years:...
, Andy FraserAndy FraserAndy Fraser is an English songwriter and bass guitarist whose career has lasted over forty years and includes a notable period as one of the founding members, in 1968, at age 15, of the rock band Free.-Peak years :...
(FreeFree (band)Free were an English rock band, formed in London in 1968, best known for their 1970 signature song "All Right Now". They disbanded in 1973 and lead singer Paul Rodgers went on to become a frontman of the band Bad Company along with Simon Kirke on drums; lead guitarist Paul Kossoff died from a...
), Chris Mercer, Henry LowtherHenry Lowther (musician)Henry Lowther is an English jazz trumpeter.Lowther's first experience was on cornet in a Salvation Army band. He studied violin briefly at the Royal Academy of Music but returned to trumpet by 1960 though he sometimes played violin professionally...
, Johnny Almond and Jon Mark (later of Mark-AlmondMark-AlmondMark–Almond were an English band of the late 1960s and early 1970s, who worked in the territory between rock and jazz.In 1970 Jon Mark and Johnny Almond formed Mark-Almond...
).
History
The band that would evolve to the Bluesbreakers in 1965 was formed in January 1963 and became an ever-evolving lineup of more than 100 different combinations of musicians performing under that name.Eric Clapton joined in April 1965 just a few months after the release of their first album. Clapton brought guitar-led blues influences to the forefront of the group; he had left The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
in order to concentrate on the blues.
The first single released by John Mayall and his band, in May 1964, was the song "Crawling Up a Hill" with "Mr. James" as the b-side, the band on the single were Peter Ward, John McVie
John McVie
John Graham McVie is a British bass guitarist best known as a member of the rock group Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the band's name...
on bass, Bernie Watson on guitar, and Martin Hart on drums." After the single release Bernie Watson was replaced by Roger Dean
Roger Dean (guitar player)
Roger Dean was a British guitar player and teacher. His professional career ran over 40 years, until retiring, following a car crash, in 2004. During the sixties he played in a numberof bands which left few traces in the history of popular music...
and Martin Hart was replaced by Hughie Flint
Hughie Flint
Hughie Flint , is an English drummer, best known for his stint in John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, playing drums on the Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton album, released in 1966, for his group McGuinness Flint in the early 70s and for his subsequent association with The Blues Band.Flint played in...
. This line-up played with John on John Mayall Plays John Mayall
John Mayall Plays John Mayall
John Mayall plays John Mayall is the debut album by John Mayall. This album was recorded live at Klooks Kleek on the 7th December 1964.-Track listing:# "Crawling Up a Hill" - 2:21# "I Wanna Teach You Everything" - 3:05# "When I'm Gone" - 3:08...
. After this the band released a single called "Crocodile Walk" with "Blues City Shakedown" as the b-side. The single was produced by Decca producer Tony Clarke
Tony Clarke (producer)
Tony Clarke was an English rock music record producer and guitarist. Born in Coventry, he is best known for producing The Moody Blues from 1966 to 1979.-Biography:...
. Roger Dean then left the group and was replaced by Eric Clapton.
The group lost their record contract with Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
that year, which also saw the release of a single called "I'm Your Witchdoctor" (produced by Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
) in October 1965, the first credited to John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, followed by a return to Decca in 1966. Then in August 1966 The Bluesbreakers released the single "Lonely Years" with the b-side "Bernard Jenkins", which was released by Purdah Records. The album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was released in July; it reached the Top Ten
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
in the UK.
Shortly after Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was released Eric Clapton went to see Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
in concert, and being impressed by his trio, the idea for Cream was formed and he left to form this new group with Ginger Baker
Ginger Baker
Peter Edward "Ginger" Baker is an English drummer, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith. He is also known for his numerous associations with World music, mainly the use of African influences...
and Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce
John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
. Clapton was replaced by Peter Green
Peter Green (musician)
Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
for A Hard Road
A Hard Road
A Hard Road is a 1967 electric blues album recorded by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers featuring Peter Green on lead guitar, John McVie on bass, Aynsley Dunbar on drums and John Almond. Tracks 5, 7 and 13 feature the horn section of Alan Skidmore and Ray Warleigh...
, after which he left to form Fleetwood Mac.
Then Mick Taylor
Mick Taylor
Michael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
joined the group and they recorded Crusade
Crusade (album)
Crusade is a studio album by the British Blues-rock band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, released on September 1, 1967 for London Records. It was the follow-up to A Hard Road, also released in 1967...
on July 12, 1967. Soon after, McVie joined Fleetwood Mac and was replaced by Tony Reeves
Tony Reeves
Anthony 'Tony' Reeves is an English bass guitarist/contrabassist, noted for his "extremely prominent and complex bass sound" and use of electronic effects...
for the album Bare Wires
Bare Wires
- Reissue Bonus Tracks :- Personnel :John Mayall's Bluesbreakers* John Mayall – vocals, harmonica, piano, harpsichord, organ, harmonium, guitar* Mick Taylor – lead guitar, Hawaiian guitar* Chris Mercer – tenor, baritone saxophone...
which was their highest charting UK album. Taylor then left to join The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
and the name "Bluesbreakers" was dropped from John Mayall albums.
By the time the 1960s were over, the Bluesbreakers had finally achieved some success in the United States.
With some interruptions, the Bluesbreakers have continued to tour and release albums (over 50 to date), though they never achieved the critical or popular acclaim of their earlier material. In 2003, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and Chris Barber reunited with the band for John Mayall's 70th Birthday Concert
70th Birthday Concert
70th Birthday Concert is a live Electric blues video recording of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers to celebrate Mayall's 70th Birthday. Recorded in Liverpool, England on July 19 2003, the concert was notable as it featured Eric Clapton as a guest, so marked the first time he and Mayall had performed...
in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
— the concert was later released on CD and DVD. In 2004, their line up included Buddy Whittington
Buddy Whittington
Buddy Whittington is an American guitarist. He began playing the guitar inspired by his sister's records of The Beatles, Rolling Stones and, in particular, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton. At the age of 14 he was already a part of the Dallas/Fort Worth music scene and playing...
, Joe Yuele, Hank Van Sickle
Hank Van Sickle
Hank Van Sickle is an electric and upright bassist currently living and working in Los Angeles, California. He is a session musician who has worked in a variety of genres, but primarily draws from Americana, blues rock, jazz, and rock music.-Biography:Van Sickle was raised in a family of musicians...
and Tom Canning, and the band toured the UK with Mick Taylor as a guest musician.
In November 2008 Mayall announced on his website he was disbanding the Bluesbreakers to cut back on his heavy workload and give himself freedom to work with other musicians. A 2009 solo tour with Rocky Athas (formerly of Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas
Black Oak Arkansas is an American Southern rock band named after the band's hometown of Black Oak, Arkansas. The band reached the height of its fame in the 1970s with ten charting albums released in that decade...
) was the first musical venture John Mayall undertook after disbanding his former band. Former band member, Johnny Almond died on 18 November 2009 from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, aged 63.
As of 2011 the Bluesbreakers are reformed and touring Britain and Canada. John Mayall is joined by Rocky Athas, Greg Rzab and Jay Davenport.
Albums
- 1965: John Mayall Plays John MayallJohn Mayall Plays John MayallJohn Mayall plays John Mayall is the debut album by John Mayall. This album was recorded live at Klooks Kleek on the 7th December 1964.-Track listing:# "Crawling Up a Hill" - 2:21# "I Wanna Teach You Everything" - 3:05# "When I'm Gone" - 3:08...
(Decca*) (features future Bluesbreakers members) - 1966: Blues Breakers - John Mayall - With Eric Clapton (Decca*)
- 1967: A Hard RoadA Hard RoadA Hard Road is a 1967 electric blues album recorded by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers featuring Peter Green on lead guitar, John McVie on bass, Aynsley Dunbar on drums and John Almond. Tracks 5, 7 and 13 feature the horn section of Alan Skidmore and Ray Warleigh...
(Decca*) - 1967: John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Paul Butterfield (Decca EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
45) - 1967: CrusadeCrusade (album)Crusade is a studio album by the British Blues-rock band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, released on September 1, 1967 for London Records. It was the follow-up to A Hard Road, also released in 1967...
(Decca*) - 1968: Diary of a Band Volume 1 (Decca*)
- 1968: Diary of a Band Volume 2 (Decca*)
- 1968: Bare WiresBare Wires- Reissue Bonus Tracks :- Personnel :John Mayall's Bluesbreakers* John Mayall – vocals, harmonica, piano, harpsichord, organ, harmonium, guitar* Mick Taylor – lead guitar, Hawaiian guitar* Chris Mercer – tenor, baritone saxophone...
(Decca*) - 1969: Looking BackLooking Back (John Mayall album)-Decca Release:-Performers:All tracks*John Mayall - Lead vocals, piano, organ, guitar, harmonicaThe Blues Breakers*Bernie Watson - Lead guitar on "Mr...
(compilation, includes Bluesbreakers recordings) (Decca*) - 1969: Thru the Years (London)
- 1969: Primal Solos (Decca)
- 1982: Return of the Bluesbreakers (Aim Australia)
- 1985: Behind the Iron Curtain (GNP Crescendo*)
- 1987: Chicago Line (Entente - Island*)
- 1988: The Power of the Blues (Entente*)
- 1988: Archives to Eighties (Polydor*)
- 1990: A Sense of Place (Island*)
- 1992: Cross Country Blues (One Way*)
- 1993: Wake Up CallWake Up Call (John Mayall album)Wake Up Call is a recording by British Bluesman John Mayall with various musicians.-Track listing:# Mail Order Mystics # Maydell # I Could Cry...
(Silvertone*) - 1994: The 1982 Reunion ConcertThe 1982 Reunion ConcertThe 1982 Reunion Concert is a recording from a concert by British Bluesman John Mayall. His sidemen are Mick Taylor on guitar, John McVie on bass and Colin Allen on drums. The concert took place at the Wax Museum, Washington DC, on 17 June 1982...
(One Way*) - 1995: Spinning Coin (Silvertone*)
- 1997: Blues for the Lost Days (Silvertone*)
- 1999: Padlock on the Blues (Eagle*)
- 1999: Rock the Blues Tonight (Indigo*)
- 1999: Live at the Marquee 1969 (Eagle*)
- 2000: Time Capsule (Private Stash) Limited release, website only, no longer in print
- 2001: UK Tour 2K (Private Stash) Limited release, website only, no longer in print
- 2001: Boogie Woogie Man (Private Stash*) Limited release, website only
- 2001: Along for the Ride (Eagle/Red Ink*)
- 2002: Stories (Eagle/Red Ink*)
- 2003: No Days Off (Private Stash*) Limited release, website only
- 2003: Rolling with the Blues (Shakedown UK*)
- 2003: 70th Birthday Concert70th Birthday Concert70th Birthday Concert is a live Electric blues video recording of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers to celebrate Mayall's 70th Birthday. Recorded in Liverpool, England on July 19 2003, the concert was notable as it featured Eric Clapton as a guest, so marked the first time he and Mayall had performed...
CD & DVD (Eagle*) - 2004: Cookin' Down Under DVD (Private Stash*) Limited release, website only
- 2004: The Godfather of British Blues/Turning Point DVD (Eagle*)
- 2004: The Turning Point Soundtrack (Eagle*)
- 2005: Road Dogs (Eagle*)
- 2007: Live at the BBC (Decca*)
- 2007: In the Palace of the King (Eagle*)
Guitarists
- Bernie Watson
- Roger Dean
- Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
- Peter GreenPeter Green (musician)Peter Green is a British blues-rock guitarist and the founder of the band Fleetwood Mac...
- Mick TaylorMick TaylorMichael Kevin "Mick" Taylor is an English musician, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stones...
- Jon Mark
- Randy Resnick
- Don "Sugarcane" Harris
- Harvey MandelHarvey MandelHarvey Mandel is an American guitarist known for his innovative approach to electric guitar playing. A professional at twenty, he played with Charlie Musselwhite, Canned Heat, The Rolling Stones, and John Mayall before starting a solo career...
- Freddy Robinson
- Kal DavidKal DavidKal David is an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, whose 50-year musical career in Illinois, New York and California extended through various phases, including a highly-regarded stint with Columbia Records in early 1970s....
- Walter TroutWalter TroutWalter Trout is an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.-Biography:Trout's career began on the Jersey coast scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s. He then decided to relocate to Los Angeles where he became a sideman for Percy Mayfield and Deacon Jones...
- Coco MontoyaCoco MontoyaCoco Montoya is an American blues guitarist and former member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.-Musical career:...
- Buddy WhittingtonBuddy WhittingtonBuddy Whittington is an American guitarist. He began playing the guitar inspired by his sister's records of The Beatles, Rolling Stones and, in particular, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton. At the age of 14 he was already a part of the Dallas/Fort Worth music scene and playing...
- Rocky Athas
- Simon Bateman
Bassists
- John McVieJohn McVieJohn Graham McVie is a British bass guitarist best known as a member of the rock group Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the band's name...
- Jack BruceJack BruceJohn Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce is a Scottish musician and songwriter, respected as a founding member of the British psychedelic rock power trio, Cream, for a solo career that spans several decades, and for his participation in several well-known musical ensembles...
- Tony ReevesTony ReevesAnthony 'Tony' Reeves is an English bass guitarist/contrabassist, noted for his "extremely prominent and complex bass sound" and use of electronic effects...
- Larry TaylorLarry TaylorLarry Taylor is an American bass guitarist, best known for his work as a member of Canned Heat from 1967. Before joining Canned Heat he had been a session bassist for The Monkees and Jerry Lee Lewis...
- Malcolm Poole
- Keith Tillman
- Andy FraserAndy FraserAndy Fraser is an English songwriter and bass guitarist whose career has lasted over forty years and includes a notable period as one of the founding members, in 1968, at age 15, of the rock band Free.-Peak years :...
- Hank Van SickleHank Van SickleHank Van Sickle is an electric and upright bassist currently living and working in Los Angeles, California. He is a session musician who has worked in a variety of genres, but primarily draws from Americana, blues rock, jazz, and rock music.-Biography:Van Sickle was raised in a family of musicians...
- Greg Rzab
Drummers
- Peter Ward
- Martin Hart
- Hughie FlintHughie FlintHughie Flint , is an English drummer, best known for his stint in John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, playing drums on the Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton album, released in 1966, for his group McGuinness Flint in the early 70s and for his subsequent association with The Blues Band.Flint played in...
- Aynsley DunbarAynsley DunbarAynsley Thomas Dunbar is an English drummer. He has worked with some of the top names in rock, including Eric Burdon, John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Ian Hunter, Lou Reed, Jefferson Starship, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Whitesnake, Sammy Hagar, UFO, and Journey...
- Mick FleetwoodMick FleetwoodMichael John Kells "Mick" Fleetwood is a British musician and actor best known for his role as the drummer and namesake of the blues/rock and roll band Fleetwood Mac. His surname, combined with that of John McVie, was the inspiration for the name of the originally Peter Green-led Fleetwood Mac...
- Jon HisemanJon HisemanJon Hiseman is an English drummer, recording engineer, record producer and music publisher.-Career:...
- Keef HartleyKeef HartleyKeef Hartley was an English drummer and bandleader. He fronted the Keef Hartley Band, and played at Woodstock. Hartley was later a member of Dog Soldier, and variously worked with Rory Storm, The Artwoods and John Mayall.-Biography:Hartley was born in Preston, Lancashire, England...
- Colin AllenColin AllenColin Allen is an English blues drummer and songwriter.-Career:Allen took up drums at the age of 18, playing initially with local jazz musician in Dorset...
- Soko RichardsonSoko RichardsonSoko Richardson was an American rhythm and blues drummer. His career spanned almost fifty years, during which he performed and recorded with seminal groups including John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the The Ike & Tina Turner Revue...
- Joe Yuele
- Jay Davenport
Horn section
- Johnny Almond
- Chris Mercer
- Dick Heckstall-SmithDick Heckstall-SmithDick Heckstall-Smith was an English jazz and blues saxophonist. He played with some of the most important English blues-rock and jazz fusion bands of the 1960s and 1970s.-Early years:...
- Henry Lowther
- Chris BarberChris BarberDonald Christopher 'Chris' Barber is best known as a jazz trombonist. As well as scoring a UK top twenty trad jazz hit he helped the careers of many musicians, notably the blues singer Ottilie Patterson, who was at one time his wife, and vocalist/banjoist Lonnie Donegan, whose appearances with...
DVDs
- 1982: Blues Alive VHS (re-released on DVD in 2004 as Jammin' With the Blues Greats), a concert filmed in June 1982 at New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
's Capitol Theater with a lineup of Mayall, Mick Taylor, John McVie, and Colin Allen, and guests Etta JamesEtta JamesEtta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
, Junior WellsJunior WellsJunior Wells , born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., was an American Chicago blues vocalist, harmonica player, and recording artist...
, Buddy GuyBuddy GuyGeorge "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
, and Albert KingAlbert KingAlbert King was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing.-Career:... - 2003: 70th Birthday Concert70th Birthday Concert70th Birthday Concert is a live Electric blues video recording of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers to celebrate Mayall's 70th Birthday. Recorded in Liverpool, England on July 19 2003, the concert was notable as it featured Eric Clapton as a guest, so marked the first time he and Mayall had performed...
CD & DVD (with Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
) - 2004: The Godfather of British Blues/Turning Point DVD
From John Mayall's website only:
- 2004: Cookin' Down Under DVD
Singles
- 1964: "Crawling Up The Hill / Mr. James" (Decca F11900)
- 1965: "Crocodile Walk / Blues City Shakedown" (Decca F12120)
- October 1965: "I'm Your WitchdoctorI'm Your Witchdoctor"I'm Your Witchdoctor" is a 1965 single by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers composed by Mayall, produced by Jimmy Page, and issued on the Immediate label. The song was originally recorded at Decca's studios in West Hampstead for release on their own label...
/ Telephone Blues" (ImmediateImmediate RecordsImmediate Records was a British record label, started in 1965 by The Rolling Stones' manager Andrew Loog Oldham and Tony Calder and concentrating on the London-based blues and R&B scene.-History:...
IM012) first single as John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers - August 1966: "Lonely Years / Bernard Jenkins" (Purdah 453502)
- September 1966: "Parchman FarmParchman Farm (song)"Parchman Farm" is the title of a number of songs about Mississippi State Penitentiary, known as Parchman Farm, a hard time prison because of the Trusty system which was later outlawed....
/ Key To Love" (Decca F12490) - 1966: "Looking Back / So Many Roads" (Decca F12506)
- 1967: "Sitting In The Rain / Out Of Reach" (Decca F12545)
- 1967: "Curly / Rubber Duck" (Decca F12588)
- 1967: "I'm Your WitchdoctorI'm Your Witchdoctor"I'm Your Witchdoctor" is a 1965 single by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers composed by Mayall, produced by Jimmy Page, and issued on the Immediate label. The song was originally recorded at Decca's studios in West Hampstead for release on their own label...
/ Telephone Blues" (Immediate IM051) - 1967: "Double Trouble / It Hurts Me Too" (Decca F12621)
- 1967: "Suspicions Pt.1 / Suspicions Pt.2" (Decca F12684)
- 1968: "Picture On The Wall / Jenny" (Decca F12732)
- 1968: "No Reply / She's Too Young" (Decca F12792)
- 1968: "The Bear / 2401" (Decca F12846)
See also
Bluesbreakers Albums Category- Marshall BluesbreakerMarshall BluesbreakerThe Marshall Bluesbreaker is the popular name given to the Models 1961 and 1962 guitar amplifiers made by Marshall from 1964/1965 to 1972. The Bluesbreaker, which derives its nickname from being used by Eric Clapton with John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, is credited with delivering "the sound that...
- John MayallJohn MayallJohn Mayall, OBE is an English blues singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose musical career spans over fifty years...