Eric Clapton Pays Emotional Tribute to John Mayall, ‘My Mentor’
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Eric Clapton performing at John Mayall’s 70th birthday concert in 2003
With the passing of John Mayall at age 90, on July 22, 2024, there has been an outpouring from fellow musicians who have been offering tributes to the British blues legend. Eagerly awaited was one from Eric Clapton, who was a protege, in the early days of his own career, and who continued to perform with him in the decades since.
On July 24, one day after the news of Mayall’s death was announced, Clapton shared his thoughts on his Facebook page in an emotional clip calling the blues legend “my mentor.” Watch it below. “I want to say a few words about my friend, John,” he said. “I want to say thank you, chiefly, for rescuing me from oblivion and God knows what. I was a young man, around the age of 18, 19… when I decided that I was gonna 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.
Eric Clapton in his tribute video to John Mayall
“And I played in his band for a couple of years with Huey and John, and it was a fantastic experience. And he taught me just to… play the music that you wanted to play… or making anybody else like it, whether it mattered whether they like it or not. To listen to myself… my inner motivations.
“And he was my mentor and a surrogate father, too. He taught me all I really know and gave me the courage and enthusiasm to express myself without fear or 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. And I want to make amends for that. I did that while he was alive and I’ve obviously since learned that that’s not the best way to carry on.
“I shall miss him. But I hope to see him on the other side.
“So, thank you, John. I love you. I’ll see you soon, but not yet. Not yet. As they say in the Gladiator movie, ‘God bless you. Thank you’.”
— Eric Clapton (@EricClapton) July 24, 2024
Watch Mayall and Clapton perform together at Mayall’s 70th birthday concert in 2003
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationA true giant in recorded and live music! Decade after decade; always moving ahead of so many others. And an artist with an eye and ear for talent to develop. The music world will miss him. Goodbye John Mayall! Keep on playing for whoever is listening where you are.
R I P John Mayall. A true giant of the blues and the environment indeed. Way before No Nukes, John was concerned and cryin’ out for Mother Nature’s slow disappearance…Whenever I had the chance to see John perform, I’d be first in the venue, to say a hello, and observe that master, carry and set up not only his gear, but his sideman’s as well. He took pride in putting out a meaningful performance on the bandstand, always. Blues players have plenty to be greatful for in John’s trailblazing legacy. I too, hope I see John on the other side. From Toronto, so sad…