John Mayall was a gifted and influential blues musician from Macclesfield, England, whose eye for talented guitarists made his band a launchpad to stardom for several famous players. In the early 60s Mayall gigged around London with various other bluesmen, a group of whom became his backing band: the Bluesbreakers. In 1965, ex-Yardbirds guitarist Eric Clapton joined, but he quickly left and was replaced by Peter Green. Bassist Jack Bruce joined and left again, being replaced by John McVie, before Green himself was replaced by the returning Clapton.
In 1966, the band recorded Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton. It became one of the most acclaimed and influential blues-rock albums ever, but soon afterwards Clapton left to form supergroup Cream, with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. With Peter Green back to replace Clapton, Mayall and the Bluesbreakers recorded another respected blues-rock album: A Hard Road. Green then left to form Fleetwood Mac, and he took John McVie with him. Green's replacement was a teenage Mick Taylor - who later left to become the Rolling Stones' guitarist. In the 70s, Mayall moved into jazz-fusion territory and continued to be a popular live performer.
