Blues: Pioneer John Mayall at Picturedrome, Holmfirth

Jun 26 2009 by Val Javin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE Picturedrome’s ability to attract big names continues with the arrival next week of John Mayall.

Now 75, Mayall is regarded as a pioneering English blues singer and songwriter.

This multi-instrumentalist has also proved one of the biggest influences in the lives of many of our top musicians and that means everyone from Eric Clapton to John McVie and Mick Fleetwood.

His musical career spans over 50 years and Mayall first made his mark in the Sixties, founding John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers.

John was born in Macclesfield and grew up listening to his guitarist father's extensive jazz record collection and felt drawn to the blues.

After a couple of years and a constant turnover of musicians, he met his musical soulmate in Eric Clapton, who had quit the Yardbirds in favour of playing the blues. The rest became musical history.

In the Seventies, John headed for America where he worked with blues greats John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, and Sonny Boy Williamson on their first English club tours.

His work continues to be revered and he will create some Mayall magic in Holmfirth on Wednesday.