Bluesbreakers Spring 1965
John Mayall was born into a musical family on November 29, 1939, in Macclesfield, England. His father constantly played jazz records in the home, and by age twelve John was strumming the guitar and ukulele plus playing some boogie-woogie on the piano.
He formed his first group while in school in 1956, with friend Peter Ward. The Powerhouse Four used a number of local musicians and played some gigs before breaking up due to graduation.
John Mayall entered the armed forces at the age of eighteen and served a tour of duty in Korea. After leaving the service, he got a job working in an art studio. He formed the Blues Syndicate in 1962 with drummer Hughie Flint. They were a basic rhythm and blues outfit that played local clubs in the Manchester area.
In early 1963, he moved to London and began working as a draughtsman. He began assembling a new band that would ultimately take the name Bluesbreakers. The first incarnation of what would become one of the most famous blues bands in history was Mayall playing keyboards and harmonica, guitarist Bernie Watson, bassist John McVie, and on drums old schoolmate Peter Ward, who was quickly replaced by Martin Hart.
By April 1964, the group had signed a contract with the Decca label. The first of a hundred or so personnel changes had occurred as now the band were a quartet comprised of Mayall, McVie, guitarists Roger Dean, and drummer Hughie Flint. They released the single “Crawling up the Hill”/“Mr. James.” While it was commercially unsuccessful, it would be the first in a seemingly endless number of recordings John Mayall would release over the next almost half century.
On December 7, 1964, the Bluesbreakers recorded their gig at Klook’s Kleek R&B Club in West Hampstead, London. That performance was released in March 1965 as John Mayall Plays John Mayall. Another single, “Crocodile Rock,” was also released
John Mayall first became impressed with Eric Clapton by hearing the flip side of the Yardbirds’ “For Your Love” single. Mayall considered Clapton’s guitar virtuosity on “Got to Hurry” some of the best he had heard, and when Clapton left the Yardbirds, Mayall came calling. The opportunity to join what he considered a true blues band was an offer Clapton couldn’t ignore, so he officially became a part of Mayall’s band. It is ironic that the song and single that led to his leaving the Yardbirds would have a flip side that allowed him to join a group that would help him take a big step on his journey to fame and guitar immortality.
Both Mayall and Clapton gained from the relationship. Mayall began playing to bigger crowds as word circulated that Clapton had joined the group. Clapton found a place to practice his craft. The only person not happy by the addition was guitarist Roger Dean, whom Mayall fired to make room for Clapton. Dean would be one of a long list of famous and not-so-famous musicians Mayall would fire through the years.
Shortly after Clapton’s joining the band, they received one of their first big breaks when they were invited to perform on the Ready, Steady Go Live television show. Mid-June found them sharing the stage with the Who, the Spencer Davis Group, Long John Baldry, and a host of others at the Uxbridge Blues and Folk Festival. They then embarked on a series of one nighters.
However, trouble was brewing for Eric Clapton and John Mayall. Clapton was young, tired of the road, and a little bored, which is not a good combination as far as commitment is concerned. He and a group of friends decide to play their way around the world, and Clapton left without even informing Mayall.