John Mayall

GODFATHER OF BRITISH BLUES

What music are you currently grooving to?

Not anything at the moment. I’m getting ready to go on an American tour, and we don’t rehearse, so… but I’m a big Cannonball Adderley fan. Everything he does is terrific, it has that vibrancy. I did meet him when he was still around, he was a great fella to hang out with, very personable, just like you’d expect when you listen to his music. Anything you put on by him is going to be great!

What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time favourite album? Freddie King’s Getting Ready… It’s a classic, one of his later ones, but a very, very strong record. Give that a listen, you’ll find out what I’m talking about.

What was the first record you ever bought? And where did you buy it? It was Ravel’s Boléro, on a couple of 12-inch 78s, from a record store in the centre of Manchester, Hime & Addison. I was 12, 13. Which musician, other than yourself, have you ever wanted to be? What? (Silence) I don’t ever imagine being somebody else. There’s quite enough to say through the music that I do and I never have trouble expressing myself. But Ray Charles would be a good example of someone who was a great singer and keyboard player.

What do you sing in the shower?

I don’t sing in the shower. You’re in there for the purpose of getting clean.

What is your favourite Saturday night record?

Big Maceo’s Chicago Breakdown really gets things going. With Tampa Red on guitar – a great team. But any day of the week, they’re all the same to me.

And your Sunday morning record? Albert Ammons’ Shout For Joy is a great piece of boogie-woogie piano. Wakes you up no end.

John Mayall tours the UK in November. See johnmayall.com for dates.