Eric Clapton paid tribute to his friend and “mentor” John Mayall on social media on Wednesday following news of the Blues Breakers legend's death at the age of 90.
One of the famous musicians who trained under Mayall as the leader of the Blues Breakers was the famous guitarist “Slowhand”. Clapton joined the band as lead guitarist after leaving the Yardbirds when he was at a personal crossroads in his life.
“I want to thank you basically for saving me from oblivion, and God only knows what happened. I was a young man, 18 or 19, when I decided to stop making music,” Clapton said in the video he recorded in tribute to Myall.
“He found me and took me to his house and asked me to join his band, and I stayed with him and learned everything I can count on today in terms of technique and the desire to play the kind of music I love. I did all my research in his house, in his music collection.”
Clapton released one album with Mayall's band – 1966. Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton – Before leaving to form Cream; Clapton was eventually replaced in the Blues Breakers by Peter Green, who later formed Fleetwood Mac alongside veteran Mayall players McVie and Mick Fleetwood.
Mayall's influential band included former blues musicians Jack Bruce, Andy Fraser of the Free, Harvey Mandel of Canned Heat, Jesse Ed Davis and Mick Taylor, who later joined the Rolling Stones at Mayall's behest; Mick Jagger acknowledged this in his own tribute to Mayall on Wednesday.
“It is very sad to hear of the passing of John Mayall,” Jagger wrote. “He was a great pioneer of British blues music and had a wonderful eye for talented young musicians, including Mick Taylor – who recommended him to me after the death of Brian Jones – which led to the beginning of a new era for the Rolling Stones.”
“I played in his band for a few years, with Hughie,” added Clapton, who described Mayall as his “mentor.” [Flint, drummer] John [McVie, bassist]“And it was a great experience. It taught me that it's okay to play the music I want to play without sugarcoating it or making anyone else like it. To listen to myself.”
“He taught me everything I really know, and gave me the courage and enthusiasm to express myself without fear, without limits. And all I gave him in return was how much fun he had drinking and sleeping with women when he was already a family man. And I want to make up for that,” Clapton said at the end of his tribute. “I will miss him, but I hope to see him on the other side. Thank you John, I love you, I will see you soon, but not yet.”
