John Mayall, pioneering British bandleader and "Godfather of British Blues," dies at 90

John Mayall, the pioneering British bandleader known as the "Godfather of British Blues," has died at the age of 90. Mayall's death was confirmed in a statement on his official Facebook page, which read that he died "in his California home" without providing a cause of death.

Mayall was born in Macclesfield, England, in 1933 and began his music career in the 1960s, playing in various blues bands and eventually forming his own group, the Bluesbreakers. The band's 1966 album "Blues Breakers" is often credited with kick-starting the electric blues boom of the 1960s among young Americans and Britons.

Throughout his career, Mayall worked with some of the biggest names in rock music, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor, who all got their start with Mayall's band. He also released more than 70 albums and toured extensively around the world, earning him a reputation as one of the most influential and respected figures in blues music.

Mayall's legacy extends beyond his own music, as he played a crucial role in shaping the sound of British rock music in the 1960s. His influence can be heard in the music of countless bands, including Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Fleetwood Mac, among many others.