No end to the blue for John Mayall.
Having turned 80, John Mayall would be perfectly entitled to think about putting his feet up and taking things easy.
But the man dubbed “Godfather of British Blues” says nothing could be further from his mind.
He’s marking his advancing years not by slowing down but undertaking his 80th Anniversary World Tour, including 34 UK dates.
“I’ve always been a musician on the road,” John told The Sunday Post.
“I still get the same buzz or I just wouldn’t do it. It’s a very exciting career and the band I have now is the greatest I’ve ever had.”
Mayall has influenced and mentored some of the leading blues/rock musicians including Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones and Cream.
After Eric Clapton quit The Yardbirds, John recruited him as his guitarist and a subsequent collaborative album was a huge seller.
“They were very exciting times,” says the Manchester-born musician who now lives in America.
“Jazz had ruled the roost in the 1950s and a new generation of listeners in the ’60s were ready for something new.
“The Stones were among those I was around and it’s remarkable that they are still rocking out and still a major force.”
The tour includes a date at Dundee’s Caird Hall on November 15. There’s also a new album, the first studio release in five years, called A Special Life.
“There are still plenty creative ideas and it’s great when I get the chance to do a new album,” adds John.
“I’ve always enjoyed Scottish audiences over the years and it’ll be a pleasure to show what we’ve got.”
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