Rolling Stone, Mayall Re-forms Bluesbreakers

ROLLING STONE --- MARCH 4, 1982

MAYALL RE-FORMS BLUESBREAKERS

John McVie and Mick Taylor called me up and said, 'Why don't we go on the road again? You know, rock it out like we used to do," said forty-eight-year-old John Mayall, the celebrated father of the British blues, explaining what led to a month-long reunion of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers in January. "Basically, there was a space between Fleetwood Mac's schedule and Mick's schedule, and I put it together."

Of course, that's not exactly what the reviews of the band's first reunion gig (at the Stone in San Francisco) said; those in attendance heard a sloppy, disorganized aggregation, who began the classic "Room To Move" in three different keys. "Thanks for coming to our first rehearsal," quipped ex-Rolling Stone Taylor, who did turn in some yeoman guitar work. "It's funny, and that's the way to treat it," said Mayall after the date.

Following one more show in the Bay Area and four in Los Angeles, the group repaired to Australia for a three-week pub tour. Is it a blues hotbed down under? "Oh, yeah," responded Mayall, who's currently labelless in the States. "Everywhere I go there's a good audience --- except in the U.S.A. They got a bit sidetracked with that punk stuff."

Thanks to Kayde for posting this to the Ledge and to Anusha for sending it to us.