British blues legend John Mayall died last week.

The list of people who played in his band, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, contains many who became luminaries, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Aynsley Dunbar, Mick Taylor. He seems to have had a talent for uncovering musicians with much to give to the world. For that, British rock music still owes Mayall a debt.

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers: All Your Love

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers: Tears in my Eyes

John Brumwell Mayall: 29/11/1933 – 22/7/2024. So it goes.

And today it was Jack Bruce. I heard him on the radio about six months ago promoting a new album and while he sounded a bit fragile he didn’t seem to be ill. Sad.

I remember Cream from the rather unCream-like Wrapping Paper on through I Feel Free to Badge which was no 15 in my “Friday on my Mind” category.

Bruce’s bass playing is more to the fore on this song.

Cream: Sunshine of Your Love

John Symon Asher (Jack) Bruce, 14/5/1943 – 25/10/2014. So it goes.