PHOTO BY JEFF FASANO
John Mayall is a legend. His iconic band, the Bluesbreakers, also happens to be the launching pad for some of the world’s most famous music makers, like Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac) and Mick Taylor (of the Rolling Stones). And at 82 he’s still a creative force.
If you have any doubts, you should check him out when he comes to the Tupelo Music Hall on Sept. 13, where he will perform a tiny fraction of the music he’s recorded (more than 60 albums in 58 years). Or just pick up his latest CD, “A Special Life,” to hear his trademark harmonica and unmistakable vocals on lyrics like, “I got no plan to guide me, never plan to fade away.”
How often do you tour?
Every gig we do is cross generation - it’s always been a young audience mixed with old.
This year it’s a bit more than usual with the new album. Typically, 100 shows each year, this year 130.
You've been playing since the early ‘60s when the rock and blues and soul music scenes all exploded at the same time. Did you know then that you were part of something so big and enduring?
Yeah, you couldn’t help but notice – it was a very exciting period. Everybody had that expectation. It was a very creative time.
Is there any common thread that connects the eras?
I don’t know. It evolves and develops as it goes along. The blues has changed since it began in the 1930s, but it matches up with the era that it’s in and stays true to its essence.
If you have any doubts, you should check him out when he comes to the Tupelo Music Hall on Sept. 13, where he will perform a tiny fraction of the music he’s recorded (more than 60 albums in 58 years). Or just pick up his latest CD, “A Special Life,” to hear his trademark harmonica and unmistakable vocals on lyrics like, “I got no plan to guide me, never plan to fade away.”
How often do you tour?
Every gig we do is cross generation - it’s always been a young audience mixed with old.
This year it’s a bit more than usual with the new album. Typically, 100 shows each year, this year 130.
You've been playing since the early ‘60s when the rock and blues and soul music scenes all exploded at the same time. Did you know then that you were part of something so big and enduring?
Yeah, you couldn’t help but notice – it was a very exciting period. Everybody had that expectation. It was a very creative time.
Is there any common thread that connects the eras?
I don’t know. It evolves and develops as it goes along. The blues has changed since it began in the 1930s, but it matches up with the era that it’s in and stays true to its essence.
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