John Mayall

John Mayall started The Bluesbreakers in 1963, and the band became known for live shows that felt both authentic and energetic. They worked through a lot of lineup changes, over 60 musicians passed through at various points, which sometimes made their sound shift from album to album. One of those records, 1966's 'Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton,' featured the guitarist Eric Clapton, who left not long after it came out.

Other albums like 'A Hard Road' and 'Bare Wires' followed, and songs such as 'All Your Love' and 'Nature's Disappearing' carried a raw, improvisational feel. Mayall's writing often touched on love and everyday struggles, delivered with a soulful touch that pulled from rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock without settling into just one style.

Several musicians who played with Mayall early on, including Mick Taylor, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood, later formed Fleetwood Mac. The Bluesbreakers' sound reached other British acts, but Mayall kept the band going through different configurations, focusing on the music rather than chasing commercial peaks.