Page 64 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2017

Davenport. This lineup recorded John’s four most recent albums
and, with the departure of Athas in late 2016, continues as a
touring trio, with John picking up guitar duties.
The first of two major honors recognizing the career and
achievements of John Mayall came in 2005, when he received
the prestigious Order of the British Empire (OBE) on the Queens
Honor List; the second in May 2016, when John was inducted
into the Blues Hall of Fame. At John’s induction ceremony, Dr.
Marie Trout, author and wife of Walter Trout, said, “When
John plays the blues, it is an expression of everything he has
experienced and everyone he has been inspired by, in a
quest to put out the most expressive, unique and spontaneous
statement possible.” Dr. Trout could not have been more spot
on. John Mayall is the consummate professional inspiring the
best in those he works and performs with. I’ve been privileged
to work with John and his band for the past three years and
am continuously impressed by the mutual respect that exists
within this band, and really, as Dr. Trout says, everyone who
comes into the orbit of planet Mayall.
For the liner notes of the Bluesbreakers album Crusade
released in 1967, John wrote, “I have dedicated my life to
the blues… I hope you’ll join forces with me.” Fifty years
later, John Mayall still carries the banner for the blues, and
fortunately for us all, many, many more have joined forces
with him, keeping the blues alive and thriving.

Mike Shivvers, a lifelong fan of the genre, hosted blues radio
shows during the ‘80s and ‘90s. Based in Florida, he is a
freelance videographer and founder of the fledgling Rock
& Blues Digital Archive. Mike produces and provides video
service for blues performers, providing professional quality
video for the artist’s use, at no cost to the artist. He says,
“It’s my way of preserving the music and giving back to those
that have given us so much over the years.”
Email Mike at mikeshivvers@gmail.com

John’s career, spanning almost 60 years, has earned him the title of “Godfather of the
British Blues.” Photo by Mike Shivvers

62 Blues Festival Guide 2017