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John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

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John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1963 (1963)–1970 (1970)
  • 1982 (1982)–2008 (2008)
Labels
Past membersSee former members section
Websitejohnmayall.com

John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers were an English blues rock 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 was in use until the band again dissolved in 2008, to be resurrected again in 2009. The name has become generic, without a clear distinction between recordings that are to be credited to Mayall alone and recordings that are to be credited to Mayall and his band. The Bluesbreakers have included musicians such as:

History

The band that would evolve to the Bluesbreakers in 1965[1] was formed in March 1963 and became an ever-evolving lineup of more than 100 different combinations of musicians performing under that name.[2] 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.[3] After the single release, Bernie Watson was replaced by Roger Dean, and Martin Hart was replaced by Hughie Flint. This lineup played 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.[4] Roger Dean then left the group and was replaced by Eric Clapton.[5]

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,[1] followed by a return to Decca in 1966. Then in August 1966 John Mayall and Eric Clapton released the single "Lonely Years", with the b-side "Bernard Jenkins",[1] which was released by Purdah Records.[6] The album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was released in July;[1] 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.[7] Clapton was replaced by Peter Green for A Hard Road, after which Green left to form Fleetwood Mac.

Then Mick Taylor joined the group, and they recorded Crusade on 12 July 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. Following a further album, Blues from Laurel Canyon,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.

Joe Yuele, drummer with the band, 2008

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 lineup 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 Mayall undertook after disbanding his former band.[8] Former band member Johnny Almond died on 18 November 2009 from cancer, aged 63.[9]

However, in 2009, Eagle Records asked Mayall for a new album, and he put together a solo band including Rocky Athas (guitar), Tom Canning (keyboard), Greg Rzab (bass) and Jay Davenport (percussion) and produced the album Tough the same year. After a year, Canning left because of other priorities.[10]

Former members

Discography

Original albums

  • 1965: John Mayall Plays John Mayall (Decca) [live, December 1964]
  • 1966: Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (Decca) UK No. 6
  • 1967: A Hard Road (Decca) UK No. 10
  • 1967: Crusade (Decca) UK No. 8
  • 1967: The Blues Alone (Ace of Clubs) UK No. 24
  • 1968: The Diary of a Band - Volume One (Decca) [live] UK No. 27
  • 1968: The Diary of a Band - Volume Two (Decca) [live] UK No. 28
  • 1968: Bare Wires (Decca) UK No. 3
  • 1968: Blues from Laurel Canyon (Decca) UK No. 33
  • 1969: Looking Back (Decca) [1964-1967]
  • 1969: The Turning Point (Polydor) [live] UK No. 11
  • 1969: Empty Rooms (Polydor) UK No. 9
  • 1970: USA Union (Polydor) UK No. 50
  • 1971: Back to the Roots (Polydor, 2LP) UK No. 31
  • 1971: Thru the Years (Decca) [1964-1968]
  • 1971: Memories (Polydor)
  • 1971 (<-1968): John Mayall - Live in Europe (London PS 589) [a US 2LP release of The Diary of a Band Vol. 2 + a Best of]
  • 1972: Jazz Blues Fusion (Polydor) [live, US, November - December 1971]
  • 1973: Moving On (Polydor) [live, US, July 1972]
  • 1973: Ten Years Are Gone (Polydor, 2LP/December 2008 2CD reissue) [studio + live New York 1972]
  • 1974: The Latest Edition (Polydor)
  • 1975: New Year, New Band, New Company (ABC - One Way)
  • 1975: Notice to Appear (ABC - One Way)
  • 1976: Banquet in Blues (ABC - One Way)
  • 1977: Lots of People (ABC - One Way) [live Los Angeles, November 1976]
  • 1977: A Hard Core Package (ABC - One Way)
  • 1977: Primal Solos (Decca) [live 1966 and 1968, UK]
  • 1978: The Last of the British Blues (ABC - One Way) [live US]
  • 1979: Bottom Line (DJM)
  • 1980: No More Interviews (DJM)
  • 1982: Road Show Blues (DJM), reissues:
  • 1985: Return of the Bluesbreakers (AIM Australia) [1981 and 1982]
  • 1985: Behind the Iron Curtain (GNP Crescendo) [live Hungary], reissue:
  • 1987: Chicago Line (Entente - Island), reissues:
  • 1988: The Power of the Blues (Entente) [live Germany 1987], reissues:
  • 1988: (<-1971) Archives to Eighties (Polydor)
  • 1990: A Sense of Place (Island)
  • 1992: Cross Country Blues (One Way) [1981 and 1984]
  • 1993: Wake Up Call (Silvertone) UK No. 61
  • 1993: New Bluesbreakers (The Blues Collection 8)
  • 1994: Uncle John's Nickel Guitar
  • 1994: The 1982 Reunion Concert (One Way) [live, US]
  • 1995: Spinning Coin (Silvertone)
  • 1995: Why Worry
  • 1997: Blues for the Lost Days (Silvertone)
  • 1997: [Bluesbreaker]
  • 1999: Padlock on the Blues (Eagle)
  • 1999: Rock the Blues Tonight (Indigo) [live 2CD 1970 and 1971, Canada]
  • 1999: Live at the Marquee 1969 (Eagle) [live '69, London]
  • 1999: The Masters (Eagle) [live 2CD, UK 1969]
  • 1999: Live:1969 (Eagle), reissue:
  • 1999: Blues Power (with bonus CD Life in the Jungle - Charly Blues Masterworks Vol.4)
  • 2000: Blues Breaker (with two bonus tracks)
  • 2000: Lost and Gone
  • 2001: Reaching for the Blues
  • 2001: Along for the Ride (Eagle/Red Ink)
  • 2002: Stories (Eagle/Red Ink)
  • 2003: Rolling with the Blues (Secret-Shakedown then Recall in 2005) [live 1972 and 1973 and 1980 and 1982, various countries, 2CD + DVD interview], reissue:
  • 2003: Blues Forever (Fuel) (with bonus CD Life in the Jungle - Charly Blues Masterworks Vol.4)
  • 2003: 70th Birthday Concert (Eagle) [live in Liverpool]
  • 2004: The Turning Point Soundtrack
  • 2004: Steppin' Out
  • 2005: Road Dogs (Eagle)
  • 2006: Godfather of the Blues
  • 2006: The Private Collection (Snapper 2CD)
  • 2007: Big Man
  • 2007: Live at the BBC (Decca) [1965, 1967 and 1975]
  • 2007: In the Palace of the King (Eagle)
  • 2007: Live from Austin, Tx (NW Records) [live 1993]
  • 2009: Tough (Eagle)
  • 2015: Live In 1967 (Forty Below Records)

DVDs

John Mayall's website only

Private Stash limited releases
  • 2000: Time Capsule (JM's private archive, 19 tracks 1957-62)
  • 2001: UK Tour 2K (live)
  • 2001: Boogie Woogie Man (11 live solo concert performances, 2000)
  • 2003: No Days Off (live)
  • 2004: Cookin' Down Under (DVD)
  • 2011: Live in London (1 Nov. 2010, 2CD and DVD)
  • 2012: Historic Live Shows vol. 1 (6 tracks 1970-71, Germany + 4 tracks 1990, Japan & Germany)
  • 2012: Historic Live Shows vol. 2 (12 tracks 1990-1995, Usa & Germany)
  • 2012: Historic Live Shows vol. 3 (4 tracks 1997, Usa + 6 tracks, 1998, Holland)

Singles

  • 1964: "Crawling Up The Hill / Mr. James" (Decca F11900)[6]
  • 1965: "Crocodile Walk / Blues City Shakedown" (Decca F12120)[6]
  • October 1965:[1] "I'm Your Witchdoctor / Telephone Blues" (Immediate IM012[6]) first single as John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers[1]
  • August 1966:[1] "Lonely Years / Bernard Jenkins" (Purdah 453502)[6]
  • September 1966:[1] "Parchman Farm / Key To Love" (Decca F12490)[6]
  • 1966: "Looking Back / So Many Roads" (Decca F12506)[6]
  • 1967: "Sitting in the Rain / Out of Reach" (Decca F12545)[6]
  • 1967: "Curly / Rubber Duck" (Decca F12588)[11]
  • 1967: "I'm Your Witchdoctor/ Telephone Blues" (Immediate IM051)[6]
  • 1967: "Double Trouble / It Hurts Me Too" (Decca F12621)[6]
  • 1967: "Suspicions Pt.1 / Suspicions Pt.2" (Decca F12684)[6]
  • 1968: "Picture on the Wall / Jenny" (Decca F12732)[6]
  • 1968: "No Reply / She's Too Young" (Decca F12792)[6]
  • 1968: "The Bear / 2401" (Decca F12846)[6]

See also

Template:Wikipedia books

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Eric Clapton Lyric Archive - Search By Album". Eric-clapton.co.uk. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  2. ^ The Complete Rock Family Trees, Omnibus Press (Dec 1983, ISBN 978-0-7119-0465-1) lists 109 different lineups
  3. ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 134. CN 5585.
  4. ^ "John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers - Crocodile Walk". YouTube. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Roger Dean - Bluesbreaker, Bluejay, Guitarist and more - Timeline". Rogerdean.info. 16 March 1943. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Artists: J". 45-rpm.org.uk. 10 February 1910. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  7. ^ Clapton, Eric (2007). Clapton: The Autobiography. Broadway.
  8. ^ "Newsletter". John Mayall. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  9. ^ Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Mayall History". John Mayall. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  11. ^ "The single is only titled "The Bluesbreakers", and it was the only one ever issued by the band without their leader". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
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