John Mayall Brings No Shortage of Energy

Photo by Ramsay

I had the great thrill of interviewing John Mayall in 2013. Here’s a look back before an appearance at BB Kings…

John Mayall was born in Manchester, England in 1933. His introduction to music came in the form of his father’s jazz and blues collection. However, it was really Boogie Woogie music that came to engulf his attention. At the age of 13, he was finally able to apply what became an obsession to the piano when he was enrolled in the Manchester Junior School of Art. Eventually giving way to the guitar, Mayall split his time in early adulthood between leading bands, and a day job in graphic design. But the 60s officially put the dominance of jazz behind, and placed electric guitars and amps in the forefront. In turn, this provided him all the impetus he needed to leave the drawing board in the rear, and go full tilt into the blues. He began putting together the first version of the Bluesbreakers, and among the comings and goings were Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor, John McVie, Coco Montoya, and Walter Trout. Still moving strongly after all these years, Mayall will be appearing at B.B. Kings on February fifth with his band in accompaniment.

“It’s just really professional, everything is taken care of, and we always have a great audience. It’s a very, very nice place to play,” said Mayall.

Boogie Woogie and a Late Start at the Piano

Nice would be an understatement for his early proclivity for Boogie Woogie music, though. “My first love, I guess,” said the guitar legend.

The shake didn’t get him onto the (piano) strings until he was 13, and he’s unapologetic about the late start. “I don’t think there’s any law against it,” he deflected.

Within the confines of the legal system, “self expression,” was the sentence he gladly accepted nonetheless. But doing a nine to five graphic design job until he was 30 must have had him suppressing his soul, and so much talent. “I don’t think that really fits. I still led bands and eventually there was enough work to drop the day job,” Mayall clarified.

A Fluid Rock n Roll Scene in London

The end of his day job coincided in kind with Rock ’n Roll history. “The whole thing kind of kicked off in 1963. Everybody was coming down to London and getting started,” he said.

Eric Clapton was of course among the musical compatriots, and parting ways with his other band was pretty straightforward, according to Mayall. “He left the Yardbirds and came to me,” Mayall remembered.

At the same time, the fluid nature of scene played right into the process. “When it was starting out, everybody knew everybody else. We were all part of one big family,” said Mayall.

The College of Mayall

On the other hand, given all the musicians that have played and learned from Mayall, he’s more like a college than part of a family unit. The music man certainly recognizes his place at the center, but acknowledges his position with modesty. “It helps validate everything I’ve done,” he said.

Room to Move went a long way to doing that too as probably his most famous song. “It’s one of the songs in my repertoire that has stood the test of time,” said Mayall.

However, he doesn’t credit any deep-seated innovation for the decision to go without a drummer. “I Just wanted to try something different,” Mayall revealed.

Coming to America and Out of Retirement

His decision to leave England wasn’t all that complicated either. “The climate was the main reason,” he said.

But sacrificing the ghosts of London blues for more sunshine must have hampered his creativity. “They’re not really connected. It’s just a place to live, the lifestyle, and everything else,” Mayall said.

The 56 total albums credited to his name certainly speak to his point, but expecting an off the cuff listing will not fly. “I can’t name them all without a reference,” Mayall joked.

Whether that’s a senior moment or not, 2008 had him admittedly out of gas, and Mayall opted for retirement. But legends don’t go so easily—especially when there’s always a call for them. “Well, the record company wanted a new album. That led me to putting together the current band,” he said.

Mayall has no immediate plans to bow out again, and feels he still has plenty on reserve. “I have more than enough energy,” Mayall asserted.

Music Still Drives Him

Mayall doesn’t have to dig deep either to hit his mark. “The music has always been the driving force. That’s the thing that holds it all together,” he said.

The writing process has remained the same too. “There isn’t any difference," Mayall said. "Music speaks to you and then you put it into effect."

As for competing among so many younger artists, he trudges on regardless of the industry. “I just take care of my own music, and fortunately there’s still a lot of people who appreciate what I do,” he said.

Any jitters also went out a long time ago, and chalks it up to the vernacular he feels the most comfortable in. “The blues is a language we all understand,” Mayall concluded.

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Photo credit : Ramsay

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