A visibly emotional Eric Clapton has paid tribute to John Mayall, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 90. Clapton, who was once a member of Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, recorded the iconic ‘Beano’ album with the band in 1966—a record that has inspired countless blues-rock guitarists.
In a heartfelt video tribute, Clapton credits Mayall with launching his career as a musician. “I want to say thank you, chiefly for rescuing me from oblivion and God knows what when I was a young man, around the age of 18 or 19, when I decided that I was going to quit music,” Clapton began. “He found me, took me into his home, and asked me to join his band. I stayed with him and learned all that I really have to draw on today in terms of technique and the desire to play the kind of music I love.”
Reflecting on his time with Mayall, Clapton shared, “I did all my research in his home—in his record collection. He was an expert on Chicago blues, and playing with his band, alongside Hughie Flint on drums and John McVie on bass, was a fantastic experience. He taught me that it was okay to play the music you wanted to play, without dressing it up or worrying about whether others liked it. He encouraged me to listen to myself, to my inner motivations, and he became my mentor and a surrogate father.”
In the candid video, Clapton also expressed regrets about how he behaved offstage during his time with Mayall. “He taught me all I really know and gave me the courage and enthusiasm to express myself without fear or limit. And all I gave him in return was how much fun it was to drink and womanize when he was already a family man. I wished to make amends for that, and I did while he was alive. I’ve since learned that’s not the best way to carry on.”
Clapton concluded with a touching farewell: “I shall miss him, but I hope to see him on the other side. Thank you, John. I love you—I’ll see you soon, but not yet. Not yet, as they say in the Gladiator movie. God bless, thank you.”
Clapton joined the Bluesbreakers in April 1965, left for a few months, then returned in October before recording their legendary Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton album in 1966, famously known as ‘The Beano Album’ due to Clapton being pictured reading a Beano comic on the cover. He would later leave the band in July 1966 to form the trio Cream with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker.
