July 29, 2024

This blog was going to be part 2 of the Indy Cars at Road America last June but that will have to wait until the next blog.

Reason being, we just lost one of the most influential musicians ever with the passing of John Mayall on July 23, 2024 at 90 years old. He was still touring and playing but passed away at home in California.

He got into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of fame as a musical influencer this year. My photos of him have been submitted for his induction.

John started in the early 1960's and his lineup of fellow musicians through the years is amazing. Without John we wouldn't have a lot of musicians that he hired and discovered.

Some of them are Eric Clapton, Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor, Harvey Mandel, Keef Hartley, Jack Bruce, Sugarcane Harris, Jon Mark and Johnny Almond. That's just a few and he really brought to us a lot of great musicians in his John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers band.

John was a great guitar player but also an amazing harmonica and keyboard player.

I first met John in 1971 doing an interview for the Bugle American newspaper and photographing his show. He was a very nice and talented man.

I also photographed him in 1975 and 1978.

Enjoy some old photos of the master and notice his very cool harmonica holder and unique guitar.

Gonna miss you John and thanks for all you did.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann