JOHN MAYALL: I love to play, it's been exciting and rewarding, and the band I'm with now is the best

As the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall is a man who really needs no further introduction. But here goes anyway. With a career that started with The Bluesbreakers in 1963 and has gone on to last more than 50 years, he has 60 albums to his CV and is now touring the world to celebrate his 80th birthday.

Which, we imagine, is rather a cool way to mark the big 8-0. The year-long party includes 34 UK dates in October and November this year, including a show here in Leicester. When we speak, John is getting ready to leave for the Canadian leg of the tour.

"We're just working on itineraries for that at the minute," he said. "We really like it when we have so many dates in a row, when we get to touch on so many places.

"This year we'll have done 134 shows, all over the world. Before the start of the British tour we will be in Russia, and it will be my first time there, so that will be interesting."

Throughout the '60s, The Bluesbreakers, acted as a kind of finishing school for the leading blues-rock musicians of the day. Guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor were all members, honing their skills before going on to join Cream, Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones.


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