Paul McCartney has shared his reflections on John Mayall, whom he describes as a “lovely, down-to-earth man” and a “great” blues pioneer.
Mayall, the renowned British blues musician, passed away at the age of 90 at his family home in California on Monday, July 22, surrounded by his loved ones.
In a heartfelt tribute, McCartney expressed his admiration for Mayall in an Instagram post. “John Mayall, the great British blues pioneer, has died aged 90, and I thought a few words from me would be fitting,” the Beatles legend wrote.
McCartney recounted how he and Mayall first connected in the 1960s at late-night music clubs. They would often go back to Mayall’s house, where he had an extensive and impressive record collection. “During these times, John became a mentor, educating me about the blues guitarists of the era,” McCartney shared.
“He would play tracks by legends like BB King, Buddy Guy, and Albert King, and then introduce me to Eric Clapton, who later joined his band, The Bluesbreakers. The more he played, the more I saw the connections between these incredible guitarists. It was both entertaining and educational to notice the similarities among these stunning musicians.”
McCartney added, “John was a lovely, down-to-earth man from the North of England, so we naturally connected. I will always be grateful for his passion for music, the blues, and his eagerness to share his knowledge.”
In addition to McCartney’s tribute, Mick Jagger also honored Mayall’s legacy. “So sad to hear of John Mayall’s passing,” Jagger wrote. “He was a great pioneer of British blues and had a remarkable talent for spotting young musicians. He recommended Mick Taylor to me after Brian Jones’s death, which led to a new era for the Stones.”
