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John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers (followed by 97 users)

Finishing school for leading British blues-rock musicians including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, John McVie, Jack Bruce, and many others.

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Active

1960s - 2020s

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Disbanded

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John Mayall's Bluesbreakers

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John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Biography by Richie Unterberger

Throughout the '60s, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers acted as a finishing school for the leading British blues-rock musicians of the era. Guitarists Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor joined Mayall's band in a remarkable succession in the mid-'60s, honing their chops with Mayall before going on to join Cream, Fleetwood Mac, and the Rolling Stones, respectively. John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, Jack Bruce, Aynsley Dunbar, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Andy Fraser (of Free), John Almond, and Jon Mark also played and recorded with the band for varying lengths of times in the '60s.

Mayall's personnel tended to overshadow his own considerable abilities. Only an adequate singer, the multi-instrumentalist was adept in bringing out the best in his younger charges (Mayall himself was in his thirties by the time the Bluesbreakers began to make a name for themselves). Doing his best to provide a context in which they could play Chicago-style electric blues, Mayall was never complacent, writing most of his own material, revamping his lineup with unnerving regularity, and constantly experimenting within his basic blues format.

All Credits
Year Credit
2025 Feelin' Alright: Mod, Rock, Funky Prog & Heavy Jazz 1967-1972 Primary Artist
2024 You Can Walk Across It on the Grass: The Boutique Sounds of Swinging London Primary Artist
2024 Up Close and Personal [Live in Texas] John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2024 The Power of the Blues, Pt. 2 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2024 Live at the Capitol Theater, June 18,1982 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2024 Live at the Capitol Theater, June 18, 1982 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2024 Having a Rave Up: British R&B Sounds of 1964 Primary Artist
2023 Shake That Thing: The Blues in Britain 1963-1973 Primary Artist
2023 Live in 1967, Vol. 3 The Bluesbreakers / John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2022 Eddie Piller Presents British Mod Sounds of the 1960s Eddie Piller Primary Artist
2020 European Union: Live in the UK & Germany John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2020 Discover British Blues: The Decca & Deram Records John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Musician
2020 Discover British Blues on Decca & Deram Musician, Primary Artist
2019 Marek Niedźwiecki: Muzyka Ciszy, Vol. 6 Primary Artist
2019 Manchester: A City United in Music Primary Artist
2018 Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Primary Artist
2017 Summer of Love [2017] Primary Artist
2016 Live in 1967, Vol. 2 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2015 Live in 1967 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2014 Stories/Road Dogs/In the Palace of the King John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2013 The Early Days: Ultimate Collection Eric Clapton Primary Artist
2012 The Ultimate Hits: The Master Plays the Blues Eric Clapton Featured Artist
2012 Plug It In! Turn It Up! Electric Blues - The Definitive Collection, Pt. 3: 1960-1969 Primary Artist
2012 Mississippi Saxophone: The Great Blues Harmonica Players Featured Artist
2011 The Story of the Blues Primary Artist
2011 Live in Germany 1988 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2011 In the Shadow of Legends John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2011 100 Years of the Blues Primary Artist
2010 So Many Roads: An Anthology 1964-1974 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2009 Blues: Definitive Collection Primary Artist
2008 World's Greatest Blues Live! Primary Artist
2008 Wake Up Call John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2008 Triple Best of Blues Primary Artist
2008 Tour of Duty: Top 100 Primary Artist
2008 The Anthology Peter Green Primary Artist
2008 Lost & Found: John Mayall John Mayall Primary Artist
2008 Lost & Found: Blues, Vol. 1 Primary Artist
2008 Live at Iowa State University John Mayall Primary Artist
2008 Father's Day Sampler Primary Artist
2008 Dreaming About the Blues John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2008 Dad's Jukebox Primary Artist
2008 Can You Follow [Deluxe Box Set] Jack Bruce Primary Artist
2008 20th Century Heroes Eric Clapton Guest Artist, Primary Artist
2008 2008 Audio Sampler Primary Artist
2007 Trucker's Greatest Hits Primary Artist
2007 This Is Trucker's Jukebox Anthems [Cleopatra] Primary Artist
2007 The Original Mod Classics: The In Crowd Primary Artist
2007 The British Blues Collection Primary Artist
2007 The Best of the Blues Live [Fuel 2000] Primary Artist
2007 In the Palace of the King John Mayall Primary Artist
2007 Diary of a Band, Vol. 1 & 2 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2007 Clapton Is God: The Cream of Early Eric Eric Clapton Primary Artist
2007 Blues Giants: Trilogy Primary Artist
2006 This Is Mod [Castle] Primary Artist
2006 This Is London Primary Artist
2006 The Psychedelic Colours of 60's London Primary Artist
2006 Sounds of the '60s [Pazzazz] Primary Artist
2006 Some of My Favourite Songs Rudy Rotta Band Guest Artist
2006 Essentially John Mayall John Mayall Composer, Primary Artist
2006 Brit Blues, Vol. 2 Primary Artist
2006 Brit Blues, Vol. 1 Primary Artist
2006 Blues: Gold Primary Artist
2006 Blues Harmonica Musician, Primary Artist
2006 Blues Anytime, Vol. 1 Primary Artist
2006 Best of Blues [Foreign Media] Primary Artist
2006 20th Century Masters: Best of Blues, Vol. 2 Primary Artist
2005 White Boy Blues [Pazzazz] Primary Artist
2005 Rolling With the Blues John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2005 Road Dogs John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2005 Live [Video] John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2005 Jammin' with the Blues Greats John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2005 Immediate Mod Box Set Primary Artist
2005 Further History of Progressive Blues Primary Artist
2005 Feeling Blue [Pazzazz] Primary Artist
2005 British Blues Breakers Primary Artist
2004 The Turning Point Soundtrack John Mayall Primary Artist
2004 The Best of the Blues, Vol. 2 [Sanctuary] Primary Artist
2004 The Americana Series: The Best of the Blues [Sanctuary] Primary Artist
2004 Serious Underground Primary Artist
2004 Psychedelic Chemistry, Vol. 1 [2 Disc] Primary Artist
2004 Psychedelia, Vol. 2 Primary Artist
2004 Live 1969 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2004 In the Mood for Blues [Universal] Primary Artist
2004 Hellhounds on Their Trail: A History of Blues Guitar 1924-2001 [Box Set] Primary Artist
2004 Big Box of British Blues Primary Artist
2003 Ultimate Blues Album Primary Artist
2003 The 70th Birthday Concert [Video] John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Composer
2003 Mod Generation: Clean Living Under Difficult Circu Primary Artist
2003 Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: The Soul of a Man Primary Artist
2003 Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: The Best of the Blues Primary Artist
2003 Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Sampler Primary Artist
2003 Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Red, White & Blues Primary Artist
2003 Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Eric Clapton Eric Clapton Primary Artist
2003 Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey Primary Artist
2003 History of Progressive Blues Primary Artist
2003 Got Blues! Primary Artist
2003 British Rock Legends [Fuel 2000] Primary Artist
2003 Box of Rock Primary Artist
2003 Blues Forever John Mayall Primary Artist
2003 Blues Box: The Story of Blues Primary Artist
2003 Best of British Blues, Vol. 2 [Hip-O] Primary Artist
2003 Best of British Blues, Vol. 1 Primary Artist
2003 An Introduction to the Blues: 60 Blues Guitar Greats Primary Artist
2003 70th Birthday Concert John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2003 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Blues Guitar Primary Artist
2002 The Stardust Collection Primary Artist
2002 Stories John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2002 Roots of Clapton Eric Clapton Primary Artist
2002 Immediate Pleasure Primary Artist
2002 Hoochie Coochie Men: History of UK Blues and R&B, 1955-2001 Primary Artist
2002 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal: 20 Years of Music - 1980-2000 Primary Artist
2002 Celebrating 20 Years of the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal: 1980-2000 Performer, Primary Artist
2001 The Best of British Blues, Vol. 1 [Varese] Performer, Primary Artist
2001 Guitar Heroes [Wesgram] Primary Artist
2001 Great Blues Duets & Legends Performer, Primary Artist
2001 Dream About the Blues John Mayall Primary Artist
2001 Collector's Edition Eric Clapton Performer, Primary Artist
2001 Bluesbreaker [Neon] John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
2001 A Decade in Sound Performer, Primary Artist
2000 The Rolling Stones Connection Performer, Primary Artist
2000 The Immediate Singles Collection [Sequel/Castle] Performer, Primary Artist
2000 The Greatest Blues Album of All Time, Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Artist
2000 The Greatest Blues Album of All Time, Vol. 1 Performer, Primary Artist
2000 The Best Blues Album in the World Ever Performer, Primary Artist
2000 Strictly the Blues Eric Clapton Primary Artist
2000 Live at the Marquee, 1969 John Mayall Primary Artist
2000 Immediate Lets You In Primary Artist
2000 Hip Young Guitar Slinger Jimmy Page Performer, Primary Artist
2000 Blues Collection, Vol. 1 [Dressed to Kill] Primary Artist
2000 Blue for You John Mayall Performer
1999 The Blues Scene Primary Artist
1999 Six String Superclassics Performer, Primary Artist
1999 Rockin' the Blues Primary Artist
1999 Padlock on the Blues John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1999 Home of the Blues [MCA] Performer, Primary Artist
1999 Blues Years Eric Clapton Primary Artist
1999 Blues Anytime 1: British Blues Performer, Primary Artist
1999 60's Box Set Performer, Primary Artist
1998 The R&B Scene [Deram] Primary Artist
1998 Spirit of Blues Performer, Primary Artist
1998 Silver Tones: The Best of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1998 Roots of Rock: Blues Performer, Primary Artist
1998 Modern Blues Performer, Primary Artist
1998 Hard Rock Cafe: Modern Blues Performer, Primary Artist
1998 Disraeli Years Performer, Primary Artist
1998 As It All Began: The Best of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers 1964-1969 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1997 The Power of the Blues John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1997 Daytrippers: 50 Classic Tracks from the Sixties by Original Artists Performer, Primary Artist
1997 Daytrippers, Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Artist
1997 Blues for the Lost Days John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1997 Blues Guitar Masters [Charly] Primary Artist
1996 Bang & Olufsen: A New View on Music [Blue Cover] Primary Artist
1995 White Boy Blues Primary Artist
1995 Spinning Coin John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1995 Immediate R&B: Charly R&B Masters, Vol. 8 Performer, Primary Artist
1995 Hard Rock Essentials: 1960's Performer, Primary Artist
1994 The 1982 Reunion Concert John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1994 Jammin' with the Blues Greats Primary Artist
1994 Cross Country Blues John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1993 Stars of British Rock Performer, Primary Artist
1993 Stars of British Blues, Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Artist
1993 Stages Eric Clapton Performer, Primary Artist
1993 Life in the Jungle: Charly Blues Masterworks 4 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1993 Blues Masters, Vol. 7: Blues Revival Performer, Primary Artist
1992 White Boy Blues, Vol. 2 Primary Artist
1992 White Boy Blues, Vol. 1 Performer, Primary Artist
1992 Stars of British Blues, Vol. 1 Performer, Primary Artist
1991 Guitar Player Presents Rock: Legends of Guitar: The '60s, Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Artist
1991 Guitar Player Presents Legends of Guitar: Electric Blues, Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Artist
1990 The Ultimate Blues Collection [Castle] Primary Artist
1990 A Sense of Place John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1988 Crossroads Eric Clapton Primary Artist
1988 Chicago Line John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1985 Behind the Iron Curtain JOHN / John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1981 Bluesbreakers Box Set John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1980 John Mayall Profile John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1980 Dealing with the Devil: Immediate Blues Story, Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Artist
197? The Best of John Mayall [Polydor] John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
197? Bluesbreakers/A Hard Road John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1978 Blues Roots John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1977 Primal Solos John Mayall Primary Artist
1977 Highlights John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1974 Turning Point/Empty Rooms John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1974 Latest Edition John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1973 Ten Years Are Gone John Mayall Primary Artist
1973 Star Portrait John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1973 Moving On John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1973 Down the Line John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1971 Thru the Years John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1971 The World of John Mayall, Vol. 2 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1971 British Archive Series, Vol. 2 Performer, Primary Artist
1970 The World of John Mayall, Vol. 1 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1970 The World of John Mayall John Mayall Primary Artist
1970 Diary of a Band John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1970 British Archive Series, Vol. 1 Performer, Primary Artist
1969 The Best of John Mayall [Decca] John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1969 So Many Roads John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1969 Live John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1968 Diary of a Band, Vol. 2 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1968 Diary of a Band, Vol. 1 John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1968 Blues from Laurel Canyon John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1968 Blues Giant John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1968 Bare Wires John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1967 The Blues Alone John Mayall Primary Artist
1967 John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Paul Butterfield Paul Butterfield / John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
1967 Crusade John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1967 A Hard Road John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1966 Blues Breakers Eric Clapton / John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist, Performer
1965 Plays John Mayall John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
You Can't Sit Down!: Original Mod Club Classics Primary Artist
Viaje A 1967 Musician, Primary Artist
Ultimate Blues Guitar Musician, Primary Artist
The Willie Dixon Songbook Musician, Primary Artist
The Electric Blues [2022] Primary Artist
The Early Days Eric Clapton Primary Artist
The Ultimate Delta Blues Album [Universal] Musician, Primary Artist
The Ultimate Blues Album, Vol.1 Primary Artist
Summertime Blues [Universal] Primary Artist
Sacude las malas vibras Primary Artist
Roots of Rock [3 CD] Performer, Primary Artist
Room to Move John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
Rockin' Blues Primary Artist
Rock Valogatas Musician, Primary Artist
Rock Power Musician, Primary Artist
Rock N Roll Blues Bangers Musician, Primary Artist
Rock Live! [Universal] Musician, Primary Artist
Rhythm & Soul [2020] Musician, Primary Artist
Ramblin' Blues Primary Artist
Radar de Éxitos: UK Primary Artist
Para acompañar la calma Primary Artist
Only Instrumental Blues Primary Artist
Live in Germany 1988 [DVD] John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
Legend [2015] [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] Primary Artist
Laurel Canyon Vibes Primary Artist
In the Mood For Blues Primary Artist
Happy to Be a Part of the Industry of Human Happiness [Immediate] Performer, Primary Artist
Greatest Blues Singers Primary Artist
Greatest Album Covers Musician, Primary Artist
Grandes Temazos: Blues Primary Artist
Fin de Semana Tranquilo Primary Artist
Fiesta temática 60s Primary Artist
Fast Classic Rock Run Musician, Primary Artist
Evening Blues Musician, Primary Artist
Essential Blues Jukebox Primary Artist
Electric Blues Primary Artist
Damn Right I've Got the Blues Primary Artist
Crawling up a Hill John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
Country Blues Hits Musician, Primary Artist
British Rock and Blues Musician, Primary Artist
Blues Rockin' Musician, Primary Artist
Blues Ramblin Musician, Primary Artist
Blues Music [2020] Primary Artist
Blues Masters Primary Artist
Blues Love Primary Artist
Blues Legends [Universal] Musician, Primary Artist
Blues Le origini Musician, Primary Artist
Blues Hits Musician, Primary Artist
Blues Harmonica Masters Primary Artist
Blues Forever John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
Blues Essentials Musician, Primary Artist
Blues Dance Hits Musician, Primary Artist
Best of British [2019] Primary Artist
Best of Blues [2019] Musician, Primary Artist
Best Of The Blues Primary Artist
Beano's Boys John Mayall / John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers Primary Artist
All Blues Hits Primary Artist
60s Psychedelic Rock Primary Artist
40 Éxitos: Blues Primary Artist

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