Eric Clapton has shared a heartfelt tribute to British blues legend John Mayall, who passed away at the age of 90 earlier this week.
In a poignant video posted on social media, Clapton spoke about the profound impact Mayall had on his life and career. “I want to say a few words about my friend John,” Clapton began, visibly emotional. “I want to thank him, most of all, for rescuing me from oblivion—and who knows what else—when I was just a young man of 18 or 19, on the brink of giving up music entirely.”
Clapton recounted how Mayall took him in during those uncertain times. “He found me, brought me into his home, and invited me to join his band. I stayed with him, and it was there that I learned everything I still rely on today—technique, the passion to play the music I love,” he shared. “I did all my research in his home, exploring his record collection, especially the Chicago blues that he knew so well.”
Reflecting on his time with the Bluesbreakers, Clapton remembered, “I played with his band for a couple of years, alongside Hughie Flint on drums and John McVie on bass. It was an incredible experience. John taught me that it was okay to play the music you truly wanted to, without dressing it up or worrying about whether others liked it or not. He taught me to listen to my own instincts.”
Clapton described Mayall as more than just a mentor. “He was like a surrogate father to me. He gave me the courage and enthusiasm to express myself without fear, without limits. In return, all I gave him was a taste of how fun it was to drink and womanize when he was already a family man. I wish I could have made up for that, and I did while he was still with us. But I’ve since realized that wasn’t the best way to behave.”
Clapton concluded his tribute with a poignant farewell. “I shall miss him, but I hope to see him on the other side. Thank you, John. I love you, and I’ll see you soon—but not yet, not yet,” he said, quoting a line from the movie Gladiator.
Clapton’s time with Mayall’s Bluesbreakers was brief but impactful. He joined the band in April 1965 and left in July 1966, contributing to just one album—the iconic Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, also known as The Beano Album. Clapton also collaborated with Mayall on his Back to the Roots album.
Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood also paid tribute to Mayall, reflecting on the influence he had on his own musical journey. “The news of John Mayall’s passing feels like losing a musical father,” Fleetwood said. “John was a guiding light to so many of us young English players. Being part of his band, the Bluesbreakers, led Peter Green, John McVie, and me to form Fleetwood Mac back in 1967. We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
John Mayall’s legacy as a pioneer of British blues will continue to resonate through the countless musicians he inspired, and his influence will be felt for generations to come.
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