Anthology

By David Moye

No one would blame John Mayall if he wanted to retire.

After all, he turns 77 on the 29th and has spent 47 years entertaining millions of music fans all over the world.

But retirement is not something that comes easy to Mayall, who is performing at Anthology November 16.

The keyboard legend is a man who is so into the touring life that he once titled an album “Road Dogs.”

Oh, he tried quitting a few years back – sort of.

In October 2008, he made the decision to disband and retire the long standing Bluesbreakers, which caused quite a stir in blues circles and led to rumors about total retirement.

It didn’t last long.

“After about three months, I wanted to start a new band,” he said.

That band – which doesn’t perform as the Bluesbreakers — features Rocky Athas on guitar; Greg Rzab on bass; and Jay Davenport on drums.

“I wanted that fresh energy and these guys have amazing energy on stage.”

Considering that Mayall alumni include all-time greats like Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Jack Bruce and Mick Fleetwood, picking the band must have been an arduous process, right?

Uh, not really, he says.

“That’s a strange question,” Mayall said. “I don’t audition. I never did that. In this case, I heard Rocky a few years ago and asked him to join. He chose the drummer, who had worked together with a bass player. They were a well-oiled rhythm section.”

Making music is what Mayall does.

Pontificating about what it all means is what nosy writers like yours truly do.

Such as trying to figure out how a seasoned road dog like Mayall might help chemistry.

“These are musicians I know,” he said, batting away the question like a bear bats away a fly. “Things come together when we play.”

The new group – which, as mentioned above, doesn’t perform as the Bluesbreakers – have recorded one album together: 2009’s “Tough.”

Will they record another?

It’s possible, but Mayall’s not one to spend months composing the songs.

“If I’m making an album, I put the ideas together a few weeks before going into the studio.”

But the pretentious rock journalist can’t stop there. No, he has to ask, but what about rehearsals? Do you use those as an opportunity to work on new material?

“I don’t do rehearsals,” Mayall harrumphs. “I do soundchecks. I get the right people together and we have a great time on the stage.”

He’s got a point there. It is called “playing music,” not “working music.”

Canning.

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WHAT: John Mayall
WHEN: Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
TICKETS: $27 – $34 BUY TICKETS
MORE INFO: Artist Profile