# List of John Mayall band members

John Mayall was an English blues rock musician. Originally from Macclesfield, he began his career in 1963 when he moved to London and formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. The band's original lineup included Mayall on vocals, keyboards and harmonica, guitarist Bernie Watson, bassist John McVie and drummer Peter Ward. After changing personnel numerous times, the group disbanded in 1968 when Mayall relocated to the United States and continued his career using his own name. The final lineup of Mayall's solo band included bassist Greg Rzab (who first joined in 1999), drummer Jay Davenport (both since 2009) and guitarist Carolyn Wonderland (since 2018).

## History
### 1963–1968: The Bluesbreakers

Mayall formed the Bluesbreakers in February 1963. Early performers involved with the band included guitarists Sammy Prosser, Davey Graham and John Gilbey, bassists Ricky Brown and Pete Burford, and drummers Sam Stone, Brian Myall and Keith Robertson. The first official lineup of the group introduced in July included guitarist Bernie Watson, bassist John McVie and drummer Peter Ward. Martin Hart replaced Ward shortly after the band's formation. Shortly before the release of their first single, Watson and Hart were replaced by Roger Dean and Hughie Flint, respectively. A year later, Dean was replaced by Eric Clapton, who debuted with the group on 9 April 1965. By September, the guitarist had abruptly left to form a new band and tour Greece. Several substitutes filled in for Clapton, including John Weider, John Slaughter and Geoff Krivit, ending with Peter Green for around a week. Clapton returned in November. Meanwhile, McVie had been fired in October and replaced by Jack Bruce, who only stayed for around a month.
Clapton remained until 17 July 1966, after forming Cream the previous day, and was replaced again by Green. Flint left the band in September, with Aynsley Dunbar taking his place. The drummer left in April 1967, when he was replaced by Micky Waller and later by Mick Fleetwood. Fleetwood was fired after two months, with Green following him to form Fleetwood Mac. McVie initially hesitated to join the pair, but did so in September. Green was replaced by Mick Taylor and Terry Edmonds, the latter of whom left after only a few weeks. Fleetwood was replaced by Keef Hartley. At the same time, Mayall expanded the group with the addition of saxophonists Chris Mercer and Rip Kant, the latter of whom was replaced by Dick Heckstall-Smith in August. McVie was initially replaced for a month by Paul Williams, and later by Keith Tillman. The group added a seventh member in February 1968, as trumpeter Henry Lowther joined the band.
After the band's first American tour in early 1968, Tillman was replaced for around a month by Andy Fraser. When the bassist joined Free, he was replaced in the Bluesbreakers by Tony Reeves; at the same time, Hartley left and was replaced by Jon Hiseman. This lineup recorded Bare Wires, which was the last studio album to bear the Bluesbreakers name. Soon after the album's release, Reeves, Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith left Mayall's band to form Colosseum, a progressive jazz-rock group. Mercer and Lowther also left, as Mayall disbanded the Bluesbreakers after just a few weeks of touring for Bare Wires. Mayall would subsequently relocate from London to Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, California in August to continue his career as a solo artist, with Taylor joining him.

### 1968–1981: Early solo career

Upon disbanding the Bluesbreakers and moving to the US, Mayall and Taylor recorded Blues from Laurel Canyon with bassist Steve Thompson and drummer Colin Allen. This lineup remained active for almost a year, until Taylor left to replace Brian Jones in The Rolling Stones on 5 June 1969. After the guitarist's departure, Mayall restructured his band to focus on more acoustic music; he replaced Taylor with Jon Mark, dropped Allen from the group, and added saxophonist Johnny Almond. Early the next year, he replaced Thompson with Alex Dmochowski and added Duster Bennett on harmonica. In August, Mark and Almond left to form the eponymous group Mark-Almond, and Mayall put together another lineup which included former Canned Heat members Harvey Mandel (guitar) and Larry Taylor (bass), as well as violinist Don "Sugarcane" Harris. From November 1970 to January 1971, Mayall recorded Back to the Roots with new drummer Paul Lagos and a range of former bandmates.
Following the release of Back to the Roots, Mayall downsized to a lineup of just him, bassist Taylor and new guitarist Jerry McGee, with their only effort Memories released before the end of the year. By the end of the year, the group had been restructured again to reflect a much more jazz-heavy direction, with Mayall enlisting guitarist Freddie Robinson, drummer Ron Selico, saxophonist Clifford Solomon and trumpeter Richard "Blue" Mitchell to record the live album Jazz Blues Fusion. Patrick "Putter" Smith was added as a second bassist in early 1972, before Victor Gaskin took over a few months later. Former drummer Hartley returned to replace Selico in June, The group briefly added three more saxophonists – Charles Owens, Fred Jackson and Ernie Watts – for the live album Moving On, before all four were replaced by James "Red" Holloway. This lineup released the album Ten Years Are Gone in September 1973, which marked Mayall's ten-year anniversary as a professional musician.
In early 1974, after recovering from a broken leg, Mayall restructured his band again for a planned European tour, retaining only Holloway and adding guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, returning bassist Larry Taylor and drummer Soko Richardson. Davis was soon replaced by Randy Resnick and Hightide Harris, however. After releasing The Latest Edition, the band's lineup changed again as Mayall, Taylor and Richardson added returning violinist Don "Sugarcane" Harris and new members Rick Vito on guitar, Jay Spell on keyboards and Dee McKinnie on vocals. In 1976, Mayall collaborated with a wide range of his former bandmates for a second time on A Banquet in Blues, released in August. After the album's release, he toured with Taylor, Spell, Holloway, guitarist Gary Rowles and drummer Frank Wilson, plus touring percussionist Warren Bryant, saxophonists Jimmy Roberts, Ann Patterson and David Majal Li, trumpeter Nolan Smith, trombonist Bill Lamb, and vocalist Pepper Watkins.
Mayall downsized again in 1977, bringing back Thompson and Richardson, and adding guitarist James Quill Smith. This lineup released A Hard Core Package in 1977 and The Last of the British Blues in 1978. After releasing Bottom Line in 1979, an album recorded with various session musicians, Mayall reunited with Mandel, who brought his backing band with him: bassist Angus Thomas, drummer Ruben Alvarez and vocalist Maggie Parker. Mandel pulled out of the tour early on, however, and Smith returned. No More Interviews was released at the end of the year, which also featured former guitarist Vito, keyboardist Chris Cameron and saxophonist Chris Mostert. In 1980, Road Show Blues was recorded with returning drummer Richardson and new bassist Kevin McCormick, as well as Parker and Smith.

### 1981–2008: The band reforms

In December 1981, it was announced that John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers would reform for an Australian tour starting the following January, with the frontman joined by guitarist Mick Taylor, bassist John McVie and drummer Colin Allen. Hughie Flint filled in for Allen at four warm-up shows earlier in the month. The tour spawned the live video release Blues Alive, as well as several live tracks for the album Return of the Bluesbreakers. By June, McVie had been replaced by McCormick, who was then replaced by Thompson. In early 1984, Mayall and Taylor toured with bassist Tim Drummond and drummer Mike Gardner. Later in the year, Mayall introduced a new lineup of the Bluesbreakers, with Henry "Coco" Montoya and "Kal" David Raskin on guitars, Bobby Haynes on bass and Willie McNeil on drums, who recorded several tracks later released on the album Cross Country Blues. Raskin and McNeil were replaced early the following year by Walter Trout and Joe Yuele, respectively.
The lineup of Montoya, Trout, Haynes and Yuele remained stable for four years, recording two live albums and Mayall's first full studio effort in seven years, Chicago Line. In 1989, Trout left the Bluesbreakers to pursue a solo career, releasing his debut album before the end of the year. Rather than replace him, Mayall decided to reduce the band to a four-piece. In 1990, Haynes also left the group. Several tracks on 1990's A Sense of Place were recorded by Daniel "Freebo" Friedberg, who later also replaced Haynes on tour. Rick Cortes took over on bass before the end of the year. Following the release of Wake Up Call in 1993, Montoya left the band to pursue a solo career, with Buddy Whittington taking his place. Cortes left in 1996, with John Paulus taking his place in time to record 1997's Blues for the Lost Days.
Greg Rzab replaced Paulus for a European tour in 1999, but left again the following year to join The Black Crowes. Greg Boaz filled in for a tour in the summer of 2000, before Hank Van Sickle took over on a permanent basis in September. Along for the Ride, released in 2001, was credited to "John Mayall & Friends" and featured a wide range of contributors, including current band members, former members and other guest musicians. In early 2001, keyboardist Tom Canning – who had contributed to 1993's Wake Up Call as well as Along for the Ride – was added as an official member of the Bluesbreakers. In 2003, Mayall released the live album 70th Birthday Concert, recorded earlier in the year with guests including former members Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor and Henry Lowther.

### 2008–2024: Later solo work

In November 2008, Mayall announced that he was retiring the Bluesbreakers name, and would return the following year with a new solo band. By January, he had revealed the members of his eponymous group: lead guitarist Rocky Athas, returning bassist Greg Rzab, and new drummer Jay Davenport. This lineup remained unchanged until September 2016, when Athas left Mayall's band due to the frontman's desire to revert to performing as a trio. This format yielded only one album, however – the 2018 live release Three for the Road – before Carolyn Wonderland joined in April 2018 as the band's new lead guitarist. Mayall died in July 2024, ending both the Bluesbreakers and his solo band.

## Members

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| John Mayall | 1963–2024 (until his death) | lead vocalskeyboardsharmonicarhythm guitar | all John Mayall releases |
| John McVie | 1963–19651965–19671982 | bass | Studio albums: Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966)A Hard Road (1967)CrusadeA Banquet in Blues (1976) – guest appearance on one trackAlong for the Ride (2001) – two tracks onlyOther albums: John Mayall Plays John Mayall (1965)The 1982 Reunion Concert (1992)Rolling with the Blues (2002) – four tracks onlyLive in 1967 (2015)Live in 1967, Vol. 2 (2016)Singles: all from "Crawling Up a Hill" (1964) to "Double Trouble" (1967) |
| Bernie Watson | 1963–1964 | lead guitar | "Crawling Up a Hill" (1964) |
| Peter Ward | 1963 | drums | none |
| Martin Hart | 1963–1964 | drums | "Crawling Up a Hill" (1964) |
| Hughie Flint | 1964–19661982 | drums | Studio albums: Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966)Other albums: John Mayall Plays John Mayall (1965)Looking Back (1969) – previously unreleased track "Stormy Monday"Primal Solos (1977)Singles: "Crocodile Walk" (1965)"I'm Your Witchdoctor" (1965) |
| Roger Dean | 1964–1965 (died 2008) | lead guitar | John Mayall Plays John Mayall (1965)"Crocodile Walk" (1965) |
| Eric Clapton | 19651965–1966 | lead guitarbacking and occasional lead vocals | Studio albums: Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966)Back to the Roots (1971)Other albums: Looking Back (1969) – previously unreleased track "Stormy Monday"Primal Solos (1977)Archives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearance on five tracks70th Birthday Concert (2003)Singles: "I'm Your Witchdoctor" (1965)"Lonely Years" (1966) |
| John Weider | 1965 | lead guitar | none |
| John Slaughter | 1965 | lead guitar | none |
| Geoff Krivit | 1965 (died 2022) | lead guitar | none |
| Peter Green | 19651966–1967 (died 2020) | lead guitarbacking and occasional lead vocals | Studio albums: A Hard Road (1967)Blues from Laurel Canyon (1968) – guest appearance on one trackAlong for the Ride (2001) – one track onlyOther albums: Live in 1967 (2015)Live in 1967, Vol. 2 (2016)Singles: all from "Looking Back" (1966) to "Jenny" (1968), except "Suspicions" (1967) |
| Jack Bruce | 1965 (died 2014) | bass | Looking Back (1969) – previously unreleased bonus track "Stormy Monday"Primal Solos (1977) |
| Aynsley Dunbar | 1966–1967 | drums | Studio albums: A Hard Road (1967)Singles: all from "Looking Back" (1966) to "Curly" (1967) |
| Micky Waller | 1967 (died 2008) | drums | none |
| Mick Fleetwood | 1967 | drums | Studio albums:Along for the Ride (2001) – one track onlyOther albums: Live in 1967 (2015)Live in 1967, Vol. 2 (2016)Singles: "Double Trouble" (1967) |
| Keef Hartley | 1967–196819711972–1974 (died 2011) | drums | Studio albums: Crusade (1967)The Blues Alone (1967)Back to the Roots (1971)Ten Years Are Gone (1973)Other albums: The Diary of a Band, Vol. 1 (1968)The Diary of a Band, Vol. 2 (1968)Live in Europe (1971)Moving On (1972)Archives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearance on three tracksRock the Blues Tonight (1999) – three tracks onlyRolling with the Blues (2002)Singles: "Suspicions" (1967) |
| Mick Taylor | 1967–19691982–1984 | lead guitar | Studio albums: Crusade (1967)Bare Wires (1968)Blues from Laurel Canyon (1968)Back to the Roots (1971)Along for the Ride (2001) – one track onlyOther albums: The Diary of a Band, Vol. 1 (1968)The Diary of a Band, Vol. 2 (1968)Live in Europe (1971)Primal Solos (1977) – three tracks onlyBlues Alive (1983)Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) – live tracks onlyArchives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearance on four tracksThe 1982 Reunion Concert (1992)Rolling with the Blues (2002) – four tracks only70th Birthday Concert (2003)Singles: "Suspicions" (1967) |
| Chris Mercer | 1967–1968 | tenor saxophonebaritone saxophone | Studio albums: Crusade (1967)Bare Wires (1968)Other albums: The Diary of a Band, Vol. 1 (1968)The Diary of a Band, Vol. 2 (1968)Live in Europe (1971)Primal Solos (1977) – two tracks onlySingles: "Suspicions" (1967) |
| Rip Kant | 1967 | baritone saxophone | Crusade (1967) |
| Terry Edmonds | 1967 | rhythm guitar | none |
| Dick Heckstall-Smith | 1967–1968 (died 2004) | tenor saxophonesoprano saxophonebaritone saxophone | Studio albums: Along for the Ride (2001) – one track onlyBare Wires (1968)Other albums: The Diary of a Band, Vol. 1 (1968)The Diary of a Band, Vol. 2 (1968)Live in Europe (1971)Primal Solos (1977) – two tracks onlySingles: "Suspicions" (1967) |
| Paul Williams | 1967 (died 2019) | bass | Other albums: The Diary of a Band, Vol. 2 (1968) – one track onlySingles: "Suspicions" (1967) |
| Keith Tillman | 1967–1968 | bass | The Diary of a Band, Vol. 1 (1968)The Diary of a Band, Vol. 2 (1968) |
| Henry Lowther | 1967–1968 | trumpetcornetviolin | Studio albums: Bare Wires (1968)Other albums: Primal Solos (1977) – two tracks only70th Birthday Concert (2003) – guest appearanceSingles: "Looking Back" (1966) |
| Andy Fraser | 1968 (died 2015) | bass | none |
| Tony Reeves | 1968 | bassdouble bass | Studio albums: Bare Wires (1968)Other albums: Primal Solos (1977) – two tracks only |
| Jon Hiseman | 1968 (died 2018) | drumspercussion | Studio albums: Bare Wires (1968)Other albums: Primal Solos (1977) – two tracks only |
| Steve Thompson | 1968–19701977–19781983 | bass | Studio albums: Blues from Laurel Canyon (1968)Empty Rooms (1970)Back to the Roots (1971) – one track onlyA Hard Core Package (1977)Other albums: The Turning Point (1969)The Last of the British Blues (1978)Live at the Marquee 1969 (1999)Rolling with the Blues (2002) – two tracks only |
| Colin Allen | 1968–19691982–1983 | drumstabla | Studio albums: Blues from Laurel Canyon (1968)Other albums: Blues Alive (1983)Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) – live tracks onlyThe 1982 Reunion Concert (1992)Rolling with the Blues (2002) – five tracks only |
| Jon Mark | 1969–1970 (died 2021) | acoustic guitar | Studio albums: Empty Rooms (1970)A Banquet in Blues (1976) – guest appearance on one trackThe Turning Point (1969)Live at the Marquee 1969 (1999) |
| Johnny Almond | 1969–1970 (died 2009) | tenor saxophonealto saxophonebaritone saxophoneflute | Studio albums: Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1967) – four tracks onlyA Hard Road (1967)Empty Rooms (1970)Back to the Roots (1971)A Banquet in Blues (1976) – guest appearance on one trackOther albums: The Turning Point (1969)Archives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearance on three tracksLive at the Marquee 1969 (1999)Singles: "Looking Back" (1967) |
| Alex Dmochowski | 1970 | bass | A Banquet in Blues (1976) – guest appearance on one track |
| Anthony "Duster" Bennett | 1970 (died 1976) | harmonica | none |
| Larry Taylor | 1970–19711971–19731974–1977 (died 2019) | bass | Studio albums: all from Empty Rooms (1970) to Memories (1971), and from The Latest Edition (1974) to A Banquet in Blues (1976)Other albums: Jazz Blues Fusion (1972)Moving On (1972)Lots of People (1977)Archives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearanceRock the Blues Tonight (1999) |
| Don "Sugarcane" Harris | 1970–19711974–1976 (died 1999) | violinbacking vocals | Studio albums: USA Union (1970)Back to the Roots (1971)Ten Years Are Gone (1973)New Year, New Band, New Company (1975)Notice to Appear (1975A Banquet in Blues (1976) – one track onlyCross Country Blues (1992) – guest appearance on two tracksOther albums: Archives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearance on five tracksRock the Blues Tonight (1999) |
| Harvey Mandel | 1970–19711979 | lead guitar | Studio albums: USA Union (1970)Back to the Roots (1971)Other albums: Archives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearance on four tracksRock the Blues Tonight (1999) |
| Paul Lagos | 1970–1971 (died 2009) | drums | Studio albums: Back to the Roots (1971)Other albums: Archives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearance on two tracksRock the Blues Tonight (1999) |
| Gerry McGee | 1971 (died 2019) | lead guitarsitar | Studio albums: Back to the Roots (1971) – two tracks onlyMemories (1971)Other albums: Archives to Eighties (1988) – archival appearance on two tracks |
| Richard "Blue" Mitchell | 1971–1974 (died 1979) | trumpetflugelhorn | Studio albums: Ten Years Are Gone (1973)A Banquet in Blues (1976)Other albums: Jazz Blues Fusion (1972)Moving On (1972)Rock the Blues Tonight – three tracks onlyRolling with the Blues (2002) |
| Freddie Robinson | 1971–1974 (died 2009) | lead guitar | Studio albums: Ten Years Are Gone (1973)Other albums: Jazz Blues Fusion (1972)Moving On (1972)Rock the Blues Tonight – three tracks onlyRolling with the Blues (2002) |
| Victor Gaskin | 19711972–1974 (died 2012) | bassdouble bass | Studio albums: Ten Years Are Gone (1973)Other albums: Moving On (1972)Rock the Blues Tonight – three tracks onlyRolling with the Blues (2002) |
| Fred Clark | 1971 | tenor saxophone | Ten Years Are Gone – live volume only Rock the Blues Tonight – three tracks only |
| Clifford Solomon | 1971–1972 (died 2004) | tenor saxophonealto saxophone | Studio albums: Blues for the Lost Days (1997) – guest appearance on three tracksOther albums: Jazz Blues Fusion (1972)Moving On (1972)Rolling with the Blues (2002) – four tracks only |
| Ron Selico | 1971–1972 | drumspercussion | Jazz Blues Fusion (1972) |
| Patrick "Putter" Smith | 1972 | bassdouble bass | none |
| Ernie Watts | 1972–1974 | tenor saxophone | Moving On (1972) |
| Charles Owens | 1972–1974 | soprano saxophoneflute | Moving On (1972) |
| Fred Jackson | 1972–1974 | baritone saxophonetenor saxophone | Moving On (1972) |
| James "Red" Holloway | 1973–19741976–1977 (died 2012) | tenor saxophonealto saxophoneflute | Studio albums: Ten Years Are Gone (1973) - studio album onlyThe Latest Edition (1974)A Banquet in Blues (1976)Blues for the Lost Days (1997) – guest appearance on two tracksAlong for the Ride (2001) – one track onlyIn the Palace of the King (2007) – guest appearance on one trackOther albums: Lots of People (1977)Rolling with the Blues (2002) |
| Soko Richardson | 1974–19761977–19781980–1981 (died 2004) | drumspercussion | Studio albums: all from The Latest Edition (1974) to A Hard Core Package (1977)Road Show Blues (1981)Other albums: The Last of the British Blues (1978)Rolling with the Blues (2002) – four tracks only |
| Jesse Ed Davis | 1974 (died 1988) | lead guitar | none |
| Randy Resnick | 1974 | lead guitar | The Latest Edition (1974) |
| Hightide Harris (Willie Boyd/Willie Gitry) | 1974 | lead guitar | The Latest Edition (1974) |
| Jay Spell | 1974–1977 (died 2010) | keyboardspianoclarinetsynthesizers | Studio albums: New Year, New Band, New Company (1975)Notice to Appear (1975)A Banquet in Blues (1976)Other albums: Lots of People (1977) |
| Rick Vito | 1974–19761979–1980 | lead guitar (1974–1976)rhythm guitar (1979–1980) | New Year, New Band, New Company (1975)Notice to Appear (1975)A Banquet in Blues (1976)No More Interviews (1979) |
| Dee McKinnie | 1974–1976 | vocals | New Year, New Band, New Company (1975)Notice to Appear (1975)A Banquet in Blues (1976) |
| Pepper Watkins | 1976–1977 | backing vocals | Studio albums: A Hard Core Package (1977)Other albums: Lots of People (1977)The Last of the British Blues (1978) |
| Ann Patterson | 1976–1977 | alto saxophoneoboeflute | Studio albums: A Hard Core Package (1977)Other albums: Lots of People (1977) |
| Gary Rowles | 1976–1977 | lead guitar | Lots of People (1977) |
| Frank Wilson | 1976–1977 | drums | Lots of People (1977) |
| Warren Bryant | 1976–1977 | percussion | Lots of People (1977) |
| Jimmy Roberts | 1976–1977 | tenor saxophone | Lots of People (1977) |
| David Majal Li | 1976–1977 | baritone saxophone | Lots of People (1977) |
| Nolan Smith | 1976–1977 | trumpet | Lots of People (1977) |
| Bill Lamb | 1976–1977 | trombonetrumpet | Lots of People (1977) |
| James Quill Smith | 1977–19781979–1981 (died 2018) | lead guitarbacking and occasional lead vocals | Studio albums: A Hard Core Package (1977)No More Interviews (1979)Road Show Blues (1981)Other albums: The Last of the British Blues (1978)Rolling with the Blues (2002) – four tracks only |
| Maggie Mayall (nee Maggie Parker) | 1979–1981 | vocalspercussion | Studio albums: No More Interviews (1979)Road Show Blues (1981)Stories (2002)Tough (2009)Other albums: Rolling with the Blues (2002) – four tracks only |
| Chris Mostert | 1979–1980 | soprano saxophonetenor saxophoneflute | No More Interviews (1979)Road Show Blues (1981) – two tracks only |
| Angus Thomas | 1979–1980 | bassdouble bass | No More Interviews (1979) |
| Rubén Alvarez | 1979–1980 | drumspercussion | No More Interviews (1979) |
| Chris Cameron | 1979–1980 | keyboardspianosynthesizers | No More Interviews (1979) |
| Kevin McCormick | 1980–19811982–1983 | bass | Studio albums: Road Show Blues (1981)Other albums: Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) – live tracks onlyRolling with the Blues (2002) – four tracks only |
| Mike Gardner | 1981 1983–1984 | drums | Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) – studio tracks onlyCross Country Blues (1992) |
| Don McMinn | 1981 | lead guitar | Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) – studio tracks onlyCross Country Blues (1992) |
| Bobby Manuel | 1981 | rhythm guitar | Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) – studio tracks onlyCross Country Blues (1992) |
| Jeff Davis | 1981 | bass | Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) – studio tracks onlyCross Country Blues (1992) |
| Tim Drummond | 1983–1984 (died 2015) | bass | Bottom Line (1979) – two tracks onlyA Sense of Place (1990) |
| Henry "Coco" Montoya | 1984–1993 | lead guitarbacking and occasional lead vocals | Studio albums: all from Chicago Line (1988) to Wake Up Call (1993)Return of the Bluesbreakers reissue bonus tracks (1993)Padlock on the Blues (1999) – guest appearance on one trackOther albums: Behind the Iron Curtain (1985)The Power of the Blues (1987)Live from Austin, TX (2007) |
| Bobby Haynes Sr. | 1984–1990 (died 2018) | bass | Studio albums: Chicago Line (1988)A Sense of Place (1990)Cross Country Blues (1992)Return of the Bluesbreakers reissue bonus tracks (1993)Other albums: Behind the Iron Curtain (1985)The Power of the Blues (1987) |
| "Kal" David Raskin | 1984–1985 (died 2022) | lead guitar | Cross Country Blues (1992)Return of the Bluesbreakers reissue bonus tracks (1993) |
| Willie McNeil | 1984–1985 | drums | Cross Country Blues (1992)Return of the Bluesbreakers reissue bonus tracks (1993) |
| Joe Yuele | 1985–2008 | drumspercussion | Studio albums: Chicago Line (1988)A Sense of Place (1990)all from Wake Up Call (1993) to In the Palace of the King (2007)Other albums: Behind the Iron Curtain (1985)The Power of the Blues (1987)Archives to Eighties (1988)UK Tour 2K (2001)No Days Off (2003)70th Birthday Concert (2003)Live from Austin, TX (2007) |
| Walter Trout | 1985–1989 | lead guitarharmonicabacking vocals | Studio albums: Chicago Line (1988)Other albums: Behind the Iron Curtain (1985)The Power of the Blues (1987) |
| Daniel "Freebo" Friedberg | 1990 | bass | A Sense of Place (1990) – three tracks only |
| Rick Cortes | 1990–1996 | bass | Wake Up Call (1993)Spinning Coin (1995) |
| Buddy Whittington | 1993–2008 | lead guitarbacking and occasional lead vocals | Studio albums: all from Spinning Coin (1995) to In the Palace of the King (2007)Other albums: UK Tour 2K (2001)No Days Off (2003)70th Birthday Concert (2003) |
| John Paulus | 1996–1999 | bass | Blues for the Lost Days (1997)Padlock on the Blues (1999) |
| Greg Rzab | 1999–20002009–2024 | bass | Studio albums: Along for the Ride (2001) – one track onlyall from Tough (2009) to presentOther albums: UK Tour 2K (2001)Live in London (2011)Three for the Road (2018) |
| Greg Boaz | 2000 | bass | none |
| Hank Van Sickle | 2000–2008 | bassdouble bass | Studio albums: Stories (2002)Road Dogs (2005)In the Palace of the King (2007)Other albums: No Days Off (2003)70th Birthday Concert (2003) |
| Tom Canning | 2001–2008 | keyboardspianobacking vocals | Studio albums: Wake Up Call (1993)Along for the Ride (2001) – four tracks onlyStories (2002)Road Dogs (2005)In the Palace of the King (2007)Other albums: No Days Off (2003)70th Birthday Concert (2003) |
| Jay Davenport | 2009–2024 | drumspercussion | Studio albums: all from Tough (2009) to presentOther albums: Live in London (2011)Three for the Road (2018) |
| Rocky Athas | 2009–2016 | lead guitar | Studio albums: Tough (2009)A Special Life (2014)Find a Way to Care (2015)Talk About That (2017)Other albums: Live in London (2011) |
| Carolyn Wonderland | 2018–2024 | lead guitarbacking vocals | Nobody Told Me (2019) |

## Lineups

| Period | Members | Releases |
| July – August 1963 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica Bernie Watson – guitar John McVie – bass Peter Ward – drums | none |
| August 1963 – April 1964 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica Bernie Watson – guitar John McVie – bass Martin Hart – drums | "Crawling Up a Hill" (1964) |
| April 1964 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica Bernie Watson – guitar John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| April 1964 – April 1965 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica Roger Dean – guitar John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | John Mayall Plays John Mayall (1965) "Crocodile Walk" (1965) |
| April – September 1965 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Eric Clapton – lead guitar, backing vocals John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | "I'm Your Witchdoctor" (1965) |
| September – October 1965 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar John Weider – lead guitar John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| September – October 1965 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar John Slaughter – lead guitar John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| October 1965 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Geoff Krivit – lead guitar John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| October 1965 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Geoff Krivit – lead guitar Jack Bruce – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| October – November 1965 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Peter Green – lead guitar, backing vocals Jack Bruce – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| November 1965 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Eric Clapton – lead guitar, backing vocals Jack Bruce – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| November 1965 – July 1966 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Eric Clapton – lead guitar, backing vocals John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966) "Lonely Years" (1966) |
| July – September 1966 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Peter Green – lead guitar, backing vocals John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| September 1966 – April 1967 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Peter Green – lead guitar, backing vocals John McVie – bass Aynsley Dunbar – drums | "Looking Back" (1966) "Sitting in the Rain" (1967) A Hard Road (1967) All My Life (1967) "Curly" (1967) Live in 1967 (2015/16) |
| April 1967 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Peter Green – lead guitar, backing vocals John McVie – bass Mickey Waller – drums | none |
| April – June 1967 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Peter Green – lead guitar, backing vocals John McVie – bass Mick Fleetwood – drums | "Double Trouble" (1967) |
| June 1967 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Peter Green – lead guitar, backing vocals John McVie – bass Keef Hartley – drums | none |
| June 1967 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica Mick Taylor – lead guitar Terry Edmonson – rhythm guitar John McVie – bass Keef Hartley – drums Chris Mercer – saxophone Rip Kant – saxophone | none |
| June – August 1967 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar John McVie – bass Keef Hartley – drums Chris Mercer – saxophone Rip Kant – saxophone | Crusade (1967) |
| August – September 1967 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar John McVie – bass Keef Hartley – drums Chris Mercer – saxophone Dick Heckstall-Smith – saxophone | none |
| September – October 1967 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Paul Williams – bass Keef Hartley – drums Chris Mercer – saxophone Dick Heckstall-Smith – saxophone | "Suspicions" (1967) |
| October 1967 – February 1968 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Keith Tillman – bass Keef Hartley – drums Chris Mercer – saxophone Dick Heckstall-Smith – saxophone | The Diary of a Band, Volume One (1968) The Diary of a Band, Volume Two (1968) |
| February – March 1968 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Keith Tillman – bass Keef Hartley – drums Chris Mercer – saxophone Dick Heckstall-Smith – saxophone Henry Lowther – trumpet, cornet, violin | none |
| March – April 1968 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Andy Fraser – bass Keef Hartley – drums Chris Mercer – saxophone Dick Heckstall-Smith – saxophone Henry Lowther – trumpet, cornet, violin | none |
| April – July 1968 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Tony Reeves – bass Jon Hiseman – drums Chris Mercer – saxophone Dick Heckstall-Smith – saxophone Henry Lowther – trumpet, cornet, violin | Bare Wires (1968) |
| August 1968 – June 1969 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Steve Thompson – bass Colin Allen – drums, tabla | Blues from Laurel Canyon (1968) |
| June 1969 – early 1970 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Jon Mark – lead guitar Steve Thompson – bass Johnny Almond – saxophone, flute | The Turning Point (1969) Empty Rooms (1970) Live at the Marquee 1969 (1999) |
| Early – August 1970 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Jon Mark – lead guitar Alex Dmochowski – bass Johnny Almond – saxophone, flute Duster Bennett – harmonica | none |
| August – November 1970 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Harvey Mandel – lead guitar Larry Taylor – bass Don "Sugarcane" Harris – violin | USA Union (1970) |
| November 1970 – early 1971 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Harvey Mandel – lead guitar Larry Taylor – bass Paul Lagos – drums Don "Sugarcane" Harris – violin | Back to the Roots (1971) |
| Early – late 1971 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Gerry McGee – guitar Larry Taylor – bass | Memories (1971) |
| Late 1971 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Freddie Robinson – guitar Victor Gaskin – bass Keef Hartley – drums Fred Clark – saxophone Blue Mitchell – trumpet | Rock the Blues Tonight (1999) |
| November 1971 – March 1972 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Freddie Robinson – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Ron Selico – drums Clifford Solomon – saxophone Blue Mitchell – trumpet | Jazz Blues Fusion (1972) |
| March – April 1972 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Freddie Robinson – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Putter Smith – double bass Ron Selico – drums Clifford Solomon – saxophone Blue Mitchell – trumpet | none |
| April – June 1972 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Freddie Robinson – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Victor Gaskin – double bass Ron Selico – drums Clifford Solomon – saxophone Blue Mitchell – trumpet | none |
| June – July 1972 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Freddie Robinson – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Victor Gaskin – double bass Keef Hartley – drums Clifford Solomon – saxophone Blue Mitchell – trumpet | none |
| July 1972 – early 1973 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Freddie Robinson – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Victor Gaskin – double bass Keef Hartley – drums Clifford Solomon – saxophone Ernie Watts – saxophone Charles Owens – saxophone, flute Fred Jackson – saxophone Blue Mitchell – trumpet | Moving On (1972) |
| Early 1973 – early 1974 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Freddie Robinson – guitar Victor Gaskin – bass Keef Hartley – drums Red Holloway – saxophone, flute Blue Mitchell – trumpet, flugelhorn | Ten Years Are Gone (1973) |
| March – April 1974 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Jesse Ed Davis – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Soko Richardson – drums, percussion Red Holloway – saxophone, flute | none |
| May – November 1974 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Randy Resnick – guitar Hightide Harris – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Soko Richardson – drums, percussion Red Holloway – saxophone, flute | The Latest Edition (1974) |
| November 1974 – early 1976 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Dee McKinnie – vocals Rick Vito – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Soko Richardson – drums, percussion Jay Spell – keyboards, piano, synthesizers Don "Sugarcane" Harris – violin, vocals | New Year, New Band, New Company (1975) Notice to Appear (1975) |
| Early – late 1976 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Dee McKinnie – vocals Rick Vito – guitar Larry Taylor – bass Soko Richardson – drums, percussion Jay Spell – keyboards, piano, synthesizers | A Banquet in Blues (1976) |
| Late 1976 – early 1977 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Gary Rowles – lead guitar Larry Taylor – bass Frank Wilson – drums Warren Bryant – percussion Jay Spell – keyboards, piano, synthesizers Red Holloway – saxophone Jimmy Roberts – saxophone Ann Patterson – saxophone, oboe, flute David Majal Li – saxophone Nolan Smith – trumpet Bill Lamb – trombone, trumpet Pepper Watkins – backing vocals | Lots of People (1977) |
| 1977–1978 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar James Quill Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals Steve Thompson – bass Soko Richardson – drums | A Hard Core Package (1977) The Last of the British Blues (1978) |
| Early 1979 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Maggie Parker – vocals, percussion Harvey Mandel – lead guitar Angus Thomas – bass, double bass Ruben Alvarez – drums, percussion | none |
| Early – mid-1979 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Maggie Parker – vocals, percussion James Quill Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals Angus Thomas – bass, double bass Ruben Alvarez – drums, percussion | none |
| Mid 1979 – early 1980 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Maggie Parker – vocals, percussion James Quill Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals Rick Vito – rhythm guitar Angus Thomas – bass, double bass Ruben Alvarez – drums, percussion Chris Cameron – keyboards, piano Chris Mostert – saxophone, flute | No More Interviews (1979) |
| 1980–1981 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Maggie Parker – vocals, percussion James Quill Smith – lead guitar, backing vocals Kevin McCormick – bass Soko Richardson – drums | Road Show Blues (1981) |
| Mid-1981 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Don McMinn – lead guitar Bobby Manuel – rhythm guitar Jeff Davis – bass Mike Gardner – drums | Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) (studio tracks only) |
| January 1982 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar John McVie – bass Hughie Flint – drums | none |
| January – June 1982 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar John McVie – bass Colin Allen – drums | Blues Alive (1983) The 1982 Reunion Concert (1992) |
| June 1982 – early 1983 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Kevin McCormick – bass Colin Allen – drums | Return of the Bluesbreakers (1985) (live tracks only) |
| Early – late 1983 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Steve Thompson – bass Colin Allen – drums | none |
| Late 1983 – mid-1984 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Mick Taylor – lead guitar Tim Drummond – bass Mike Gardner – drums | none |
| Summer 1984 – early 1985 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Coco Montoya – lead guitar Kal David – lead guitar Bobby Haynes – bass Willie McNeil – drums | Return of the Bluesbreakers (1993) (reissue bonus studio tracks only) |
| Early 1985 – mid-1989 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Coco Montoya – lead guitar, backing vocals Walter Trout – lead guitar, backing vocals Bobby Haynes – bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | Behind the Iron Curtain (1985) The Power of the Blues (1987) Chicago Line (1988) |
| Mid-1989 – early 1990 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Coco Montoya – lead guitar, backing vocals Bobby Haynes – bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | A Sense of Place (1990) |
| Early – late 1990 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Coco Montoya – lead guitar, backing vocals Freebo – bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | none |
| Late 1990 – 1993 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Coco Montoya – lead guitar, backing vocals Rick Cortes – bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | Wake Up Call (1993) |
| 1993–1996 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Buddy Whittington – lead guitar, backing vocals Rick Cortes – bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | Spinning Coin (1995) |
| 1996–1999 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Buddy Whittington – lead guitar, backing vocals John Paulus – bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | Blues for the Lost Days (1997) Padlock on the Blues (1999) |
| 1999 – summer 2000 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Buddy Whittington – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg Rzab – bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | UK Tour 2K (2001) Along for the Ride (2001) |
| Summer 2000 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Buddy Whittington – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg Boaz – bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | none |
| September 2000 – March 2001 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Buddy Whittington – lead guitar, backing vocals Hank Van Sickle – bass, double bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion | none |
| March 2001 – November 2008 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Buddy Whittington – lead guitar, backing vocals Hank Van Sickle – bass, double bass Joe Yuele – drums, percussion Tom Canning – keyboards, piano, backing vocals | Stories (2002) No Days Off (2003) 70th Birthday Concert (2003) Road Dogs (2005) In the Palace of the King (2007) |
| January 2009 – September 2016 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Rocky Athas – lead guitar Greg Rzab – bass, percussion Jay Davenport – drums, percussion | Tough (2009) Live in London (2011) A Special Life (2014) Find a Way to Care (2015) Talk About That (2017) |
| September 2016 – April 2018 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Greg Rzab – bass, percussion Jay Davenport – drums, percussion | Three for the Road (2018) |
| April 2018 – July 2024 | John Mayall – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, guitar Carolyn Wonderland – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg Rzab – bass, percussion Jay Davenport – drums, percussion | Nobody Told Me (2019) |

## Footnotes

* ↑ "Lonely Years" features Mayall and Clapton only, and accordingly is credited to the duo rather than the Bluesbreakers.
* ↑ "Curly" features Green, McVie and Dunbar only, and is the only release credited to the Bluesbreakers without Mayall.
* ↑ In addition to the band's regular lineup, Back to the Roots also features a number of former band members as guest contributors.
* ↑ In addition to the band's regular lineup, A Banquet in Blues also features a number of former band members as guest contributors.
* ↑ In addition to the band's regular lineup, Along for the Ride also features a number of former band members and other musicians as guest contributors.
* ↑ In addition to the band's regular lineup, 70th Birthday Concert also features a number of former band members as guest contributors.