Still singing the blues

And now he is undertaking a year-long world tour with the UK leg starting in October 16 and ending on November 23.

Yes, I hear you say, many artists tour the world and play the UK. There’s nothing special in that.

But, the thing about John is that he’s 80 years old and will be 81 in the week after the UK tour ends.

“Age doesn't come into it,” He tells me from his home in California. “I’m pretty healthy and as long as I’ve got the energy to perform, then I will. As long as I can play my music, that’s the main thing.”

From an early age, John was attracted to blues music. “I didn’t really have a choice,” he says. “The Blues is all about expressing feelings and I never learned to read or write music so I play what I feel.”

The Bluesbreakers provided a ‘leg-up’ to some of this country’s greatest guitar legends with Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce (who went on to form Cream); Mick Fleetwood, Peter Green and John McVie (later Fleetwood Mac), Andy Fraser (Free) and Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones) all being part of the band at one time or another.

Plenty of prodigious talent there, but does anybody stand out?

John does not hesitate. “Obviously Eric Clapton is the first one that drew attention to our work, he was, and is, a great player and we shared a love of blues music.”

Although some great guitarists graced the band, it is not John's main instrument.

"No, the keyboard has always been my main instrument, but I tend to spread it about.

“Each song suggests to me what instrument I play on it.”

John’s current band consists of himself; Texan guitarist Rocky Athas and two Chicago-born musicians in Greg Rzab (bass) and drummer Jay Davenport.

Together, they have recorded A Special Life' John'’ first studio album in five years.

The album contains some new compositions by John, as well as some blues favourites.

“Everything I write is about real life,” John explains. “I feel that I have had a special life — hence the title.”

The album’s tracks will feature in the show, which John promises will also be special.

“We really do a different show every night. There’s so much to choose from and they all have special meanings. We’ll change maybe five songs from night to night.

“Of course, we’ll try and include songs from the earliest to the latest; it’ll be a good cross-section and it’ll keep the band on its toes.”

John Mayall will be celebrating ‘a special life’ at Sheffield's City Hall on November 4. Tickets are available from the box office and all the usual agencies.