John Mayall Nods Off On Stage
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Philzone Refugee
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Not sounding so good for dear old John. Enjoyed his show and getting a chance to meet him when Zoner Betsy gifted me a ticket to his band's performance at Jazz Alley in Seattle a few years ago. He was spry, articulate, and his chops were still there. This report from poster Dan at iorr.org is worrisome. Prayers for John's well-being.
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Posted by: Dan ()
Date: February 28, 2022 19:29
Last night I decided to go to the brand new Venice West to catch what was billed as John Mayall:The Final Shows.
Mainly after looking up who is playing guitar (Carolyn Wonderland) and checking her out as she has her own solo career. WOW.
He is playing and singing just fine though the mic is turned up to 11 because whenever anyone else speaks into it it would just about blow what's left of my eardrums out. He is using sheet music/lyric sheets but rarely looks at them. But it's obvious he is suffering from dementia. He is introducing the band between every song. Ozzy does it too but it seems John is unaware ("Let me introduce my fine orchestra"). But it's most apparent when 2 songs after Early In The Morning he introduces it again and later on he also introduces another song for the 2nd time when his bass player goes over and changes the sheet music. But I am still not getting the same "YIKES" vibes I get watching Phil Collins or Brian Wilson as he is clearly in a zone and really enjoys playing. He's been on tour for over 60 years.
Anyway, it's past the 90 min mark and they are jamming along and it seems like he is wrapping it up the way he says "we sure enjoyed playing for you." Carolyn is getting a lot of my attention so when out of the other corner of my eye I see a woman heading toward the stage and I figure she is going to help him off the same way he was helped on when I see he is starting to slump over his keyboards (he plays standing up). Others join and they are trying to either hold him up before gently letting him down and trying to wake him up before the club owner, drummer and two other people grab a limb and carry him off.
House music starts up, bass player asks for the music to be turned off and asks for "silence and prayers". After about a minute the club owner comes out and says John's okay, house music restarts and everyone starts to file out.
Caroiyn looked really shaken up.
Been to thousands of shows and never seen one end quite like that.
He's 88.
In other news I kind of liked the place though it was jam packed and it's hard to find a spot to stand where I am not in someone else's way. The westside seems underrepresented in live music entertainment options but this place is getting some great bookings (Fishbone, Michael Franti, some shows are sold out) so hopefully it can hang on.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: JP (J Bomb)
I saw John Mayall at the
I saw John Mayall at the Flllmore in 1994 and he was drunk from the get-go, stumbling around and constantly changing guitars mid-song. Until the Bobby weeble wobble show, he held the torch of the most wasted artist I'd seen perform.
His band was pretty good. They seemed pretty accustomed to it all.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
That dude is still playing?
That dude is still playing? Saw him in Vermont about 25 years ago and wasn't that impressed. It was decent enough, but not mind blowing.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk
I saw him with John Mcvie and
I saw him with John Mcvie and Mick Taylor. Show was alright, nothing earth shakin. All appeared to be sober enough
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
He's no Col.Bruce.
He's no Col. Bruce.
Too soon?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mylar
Sounds like almost like a
Sounds like almost like a 1970 Cal Expo show I attended. Mayall and band only played for about 25 minutes, after waiting over an hour for them (headliner) to come on. Sound guy told me he'd partied a little too much and was "out of it". The band sounded great for the little time they were on stage.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
At 89, I'd be surprised if he
At 89, I'd be surprised if he's still drinking it up. Sounds more like dementia to me, which is just kind of sad.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
Saw him at the Country Club
Saw him at the Country Club in Reseda, Ca, in the early 80's. Have no vivid memories of it.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lord Kalvert
Guys fucking great -love him.
Guys fucking great -love him. Just took a page out of B Weir's book for one night.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mylar
From John's FB page today:
From John's FB page today:
"We want to thank everyone for their concern and well wishes for John, who had a health issue at the end of his show on Sunday. Fortunately he is doing well (exhaustion and dehydration) and he’s recuperating at home. We’d like to thank Carl and the staff at Venice West for their wonderful support and kindness on the night. You were great!"
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hello My Name Is
Well we all know what
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Greasyheart
Seen John so many times.
Seen John so many times. Most memorable was at the Beacon on June 19, 1982 when Mick Taylor, John McVie, Alan White (Drums) was in the band and he was just on fire. Spent the afternoon at ole McSorley’s Old Ale House. The band was on that night. Then the last time was 2015 he played City Winery in Napa and got to spend a few minutes with him after the show while he signed CDs. He was still pretty solid. John is the blues and just look at all the Brit cats that earned their chops coming up in his band. Here is a photo from Napa