Everyday Creation
Everyday Creation is about purpose, awe and good vibrations. The show's title refers to three types of creation: The ways we express ourselves (for example, with art, music and so many other pursuits fueled by purpose and passion); the parts of life that fill us with awe (birth, death, love, the big picture); and our personal power to create our best possible lives while also making the world a better place. Here, you’ll encounter interviews, essays and some episodes created simply for information and fun. I'm your host Kate Jones, welcoming you to Everyday Creation.
Everyday Creation
He was the Leader of the Bluesbreakers and the Godfather of British Blues
John Mayall's influence extended to such notable musicians of the 1960s and '70s as Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie and Mick Taylor. In October 2024, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a musical influencer.
Mayall was known as the godfather of British blues. His music was not mainstream popular, though his albums performed better than his singles. To hear "Sitting in the Rain," which showcases his songwriting skills and emotional depth in music, you can go to this video, which features Mayall on guitar and vocals, and McVie on bass guitar.
For Mayall's complete discography and to learn more about the man and his music, visit the official website. On the site, there's an announcement that the John Mayall box set "The Second Generation (LIVE, 1968-1993)" is coming in summer 2025.
The photo in this episode's thumbnail is of Mayall performing in Seattle in 2019. It's attributed to Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 4.0 and is available on Wikimedia Commons. In the chapter's closing remarks, there's an image of the cover of Mayall's autobiography, "Blues from Laurel Canyon: My Life as a Bluesman," which he wrote with Joel McIver. The book is available on Amazon.
This tribute is one of 41 stories that Sheldon Zoldan, a longtime journalist, has written and recorded in honor of the music notables who passed away in 2024. He's written tributes for other years as well. You can listen to the ones from 2023 on Everyday Creation. We'll have the 2022 tributes available later this year.
Sheldon also is the creator of Song of the Day, a story that he sends by email to a list of subscribers. To get on his subscriber list, email shzoldan@comcast.net with the subject line ADD ME TO SOTD.
This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation, available on YouTube and in podcast directories including Apple, Audible, iHeart and Spotify.
Sheldon:
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John Mayall denied being a talent scout, but
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there was no denying he was a Pied
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Piper.
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He was a magnet when it came to
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attracting talented
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young musicians
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as the leader of the Bluesbreakers.
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Mayall died July 22 at his home in
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Los Angeles.
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He was 90.
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The Song of the Day is paying tribute
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to the singers, musicians and songwriters
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who died in 2024.
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Mayall was known as the godfather of British
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blues.
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He was influenced by Chicago and Mississippi Delta
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blues musicians
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such as Lead Belly,
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Buddy Guy and Otis Rush.
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He influenced the who's who of 1960s
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and '70s musicians.
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Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce went on to
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form Cream.
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Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie
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moved on to Fleetwood Mac.
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Mick Taylor became a member of the Rolling
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Stones.
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Mayall grew up in a musical family.
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His dad played the guitar but, more importantly,
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his record collection was filled with boogie woogie
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piano albums that caught Mayall's attention.
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Mayall didn't directly join a band. He studied
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art and graphic design in college and spent
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time in the military in South Korea.
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He was 30, working for an ad agency
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when he quit to make music his full-
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time job.
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Mayall's music never was mainstream popular.
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His most successful single reached number 81 on
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the Billboard Hot 100.
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His albums charted better.
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He placed 19 on the Billboard 200.
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He finally was to be inducted into the
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Rock Hall of Fame in October
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as a musical influencer.
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He released
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"Sitting in the Rain" in
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1969. SingersRoom.com
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called it a powerful track that
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showcases Mayall's songwriting skills and his ability
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to evoke deep emotion through his music.
Kate:
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That was Song of the Day creator
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Sheldon
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Zoldan. And I'm
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Kate Jones, host of Everyday
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Creation. Thank you for joining us.
