Eric Clapton Shares Emotional Tribute to John Mayall

Eric Clapton took to social media and shared an incredibly moving and emotional tribute to British blues legend John Mayall, who died on July 22 at age 90.

Mayall's death was confirmed in a statement on his Facebook page, which read, in part, "Health issues that forced John to end his epic touring career have finally led to peace for one of this world’s greatest road warriors. John Mayall gave us ninety years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire and entertain."

Among those who Mayall educated was Clapton, who referred to Mayall as his "mentor" and "surrogate father" in his 2:38 tribute video. Clapton, of course, joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers after leaving the Yardbirds and plays on the 1966 album, Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton. Clapton's tenure with the Bluesbreakers was brief, but it led to him meeting bassist Jack Bruce, his future bandmate in Cream.

Clapton began, "I want to say a few words about my friend John, who I learned passed last night or sometime yesterday. I want to say thank you, chiefly, for rescuing me from oblivion and god knows what as a young man, around the age of 18-19, when I decided I was going to quit music."

Clapton continued, "He found me and took me into his home and asked me to join his band, and I stayed with him, and I learned all that I really have to draw on today, in terms of technique and desire to play the kind of music that I love to play. I did all of my research in his home in his record collection -- the Chicago Blues, that he was such an expert on. I played in his band of a number of years, with [drummer] Hughie [Flint] and [bassist] John [McVie], and it was a fantastic experience."

He added, "He taught me that it was okay just to play the music you wanted to play, without dressing up or making anyone else like it, whether it mattered whether they liked it or not, to listen to myself, to my inner motivations. He was my mentor and a surrogate father, too."

Clapton wistfully noted, "He taught me all I really know and gave me the courage and enthusiasm to express myself, without fear and without limit, and all I gave him in return was how much fun it was to drink and womanize, when he was already a family man. I wish to make amends for that. I did that while he was alive, and I obviously since learned that that is not the best way to carry on."

He concluded, "I shall miss him. I shall miss him, but I hope to see him on the other side. So, thank you, John. I love you. I'll see you soon, but not yet. Not yet, as they say in the 'Gladiator' movie. God bless you. Thank you."

Eric Clapton was a legend and one of rock's greatest guitarists before he ever started making solo records. His albums with the Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith influenced generations of guitarists (as did his work with Derek & the Dominoes -- but their album came after Clapton's debut album).

We're celebrating his solo catalog, as well as a few collaborative efforts with a few other legends. From Eric Clapton to Happy Xmas, here are our favorite E.C. solo jams.

Clapton was one of dozens of guitarists to take part in a new all-star recording helmed by Mark Knopfler.

As previously reported, Knopfler recruited a star-studded lineup of fellow guitarists for a charity single benefitting Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.

The charity single is a new recording of "Going Home." The track is an instrumental featured on the 1983 score for the film Local Hero, which also served as the film's theme. Knopfler wrote the entire score of the film, which is considered his debut solo album and debut soundtrack album.

"Going Home" can be heard in its entirety below. Fans can purchase/download the song in a variety of formats at MarkKnopflersGuitarHeroes.com.

The re-recording of "Going Home" is billed as being by Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes. Among those heroes was Jeff Beck, who died suddenly in January 2023 at age 78 from bacterial meningitis. According to a press release, Beck's contribution to the track is also the guitar icon's final recording.

Knopfler said, in part, of Beck, " ... Jeff Beck’s contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we’ve had is an embarrassment of riches, really."

Beck, of course, was a close friend of Clapton's. In fact, Clapton and Beck's widow, Sandra, were the ones to organize a grand tribute concert honoring the late guitar icon back in May 2023.