Known as the Godfather of British Blues music, the legendary singer and guitarist John Mayall sadly passed away last July 22 at the age of 90. His family shared the news on his social media and instantly many Rock stars reacted to that, including Eric Clapton, who was a member of Mayall’s band The Blues Breakers back in the 60s.
The album they recorded together in 1966 was a landmark in Blues music and continues to be one of the most influential albums of all time. Clapton lamented losing one of his dearest friends, called him a mentor and said he expects to see him on the other side soon, but not very soon.
Read and watch what Eric Clapton said about John Mayall’s death
“I want to say thank you, chiefly, for rescuing me from oblivion… when I was a young man around the age of 18 or 19, when I decided I was going to quit music.”
“He found me and took me into his home, and asked me to join his band; and I stayed with him; and I learned all that I really have to draw on today in terms of technique and desire to play the kind of music I love to play. I did all my research in his home in his record collection – the Chicago blues that he was such an expert on.”
“I played with his band for a couple of years, with Hughie and John, and it was a fantastic experience. He taught me that it was okay to just play the music you wanted to play without dressing it up or making anybody else like it… to listen to myself, to my inner motivations.”
“He was my mentor; and, as a surrogate father, he taught me all I really know, and gave me the courage and enthusiasm to express myself without fear, without limit. And all I gave him in return was how much fun it was to drink and womanize, when he was already a family man.”
“I wished to make amends for that – and I did that while he was alive. I have since learned that that is not the best way to carry on. I shall miss him, but I hope to see him on the other side. Thank you, John. I love you; I’ll see you soon, but not yet. Not yet, as they say in the Gladiator movie,” Eric Clapton said.