Remembering John Mayall
With heavy hearts we mourn the loss of the legendary John Mayall. John’s contributions to blues and roots music are boundless and his musical influence exponential, rippling further with each generation. Myself and all at Forty Below have been so fortunate to work with John for the last decade of his career and life. John was always all about the music. Awards and accolades didn’t mean a lot to him. The night’s performance meant everything!
John was funny and mischievous. He was a scholar, a teacher and a searcher. He was always optimistic and his enthusiasm was highly infectious. I was always amazed to watch him create such a positive and supportive atmosphere in the studio. At the same time, you always knew where you stood with John and if he didn’t like something, he told you. Rarely could his mind be changed, though I often tried and occasionally succeeded.
John had an incredible work ethic and did not like days off when out on the road, giving his booking agents heck for it when he did. He also loaded and unloaded the equipment at gigs until a fairly advanced age. To be in John’s orbit has been a tremendous blessing. While today we feel sad and we feel the loss, with time these emotions will turn to joy and appreciation as we celebrate the great life of a great man.
To John’s big beautiful family and all of his wonderful friends I send my most heartfelt and deepest condolences. To John’s band - Jay, Greg, Carolyn and Rocky - The love and admiration John had for each of you was truly something special. There was no one else he would rather have been playing music with and you all had a unique bond with him. I’m grateful to know and work with you all. And to John’s fans, I say thank you. It’s been a privilege to watch, hear and feel the love and appreciation you have for John and his music. It’s been my great honour to contribute to John’s musical canon and legacy and I will cherish our memories together working in the studio, planning campaigns and sharing many meals. I’m eternally grateful for John’s trust, faith and support for my work.
Over a 10 year period, we recorded 5 studio albums, a live trio album and a 3 volume series of live albums from 1967 when the original Fleetwood Mac were The Bluesbreakers. These albums included an amazing array of guests: Joe Walsh, Mike Campbell, Marcus King, Little Steven, Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Miller, Jake Shimabukuro, Scarlet Rivera, Melvin Taylor, Larry McCray, Alex Lifeson, CJ Chenier and Todd Rundgren.
During our time working together, I was so happy and proud to see John inducted into The Blues Music Hall of Fame, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and earn his 2nd Grammy nomination for The Sun Is Shining Down.
Thank you, John. There will never be another like you.
Sincerely,
Eric Corne