BLUESBREAKERS legend John Mayall passed away at his California home on July 22, 2024.
Here we get to know the ex-wife of ‘the godfather of blues‘ — Maggie Mayall, who has also enjoyed a successful career in the music business.
Maggie Mayall is a blues musician from Chicago, as well as the ex-wife of the late great John Mayall.
Born Maggie Parker, she was on tour with guitarist Harvey Mandel in 1978 when she met John, and then went on the road with his band as a featured singer, songwriter and percussionist.
She started an all-woman blues band in 1986 called Maggie Mayall & The Cadillacs, featuring Debbie Davies on guitar — they had a successful run touring the American west coast.
Maggie later joined a rock-comedy group called The Housewives, which appeared on live TV — including the Oprah Winfrey Show — as well as doing the club circuit.
She also started her own record label in 2000 called Private Stash Records.
In 2012, when asked about her influences and why she got into blues, Maggie told Blues.gr: “There are no secrets about blues music! I started singing some blues songs when I was about 14. But I grew up listening to all kinds of music.
All music is about expressing the human condition. The highs, the lows, the good, the bad, the meaning, the joy, the pain of life!
Maggie Mayall
“I was trained in musical theatre, in classical. I loved the popular music of my time, which was the sixties. I loved Big Mama Thornton, Paul Butterfield Blues Band and some old traditional blues material, along with folk music too.
“I played acoustic guitar and sang in coffee houses. This was in the early seventies where I grew up near Chicago. But I must tell you that blues was not the only genre of music that I loved or participated in. I love all music.
“Blues has a universal appeal to it that is easily recognised by an audience. So, as a performer, blues is a great vehicle to communicate with your audience. Blues music is relatable.
“All music is about expressing the human condition. The highs, the lows, the good, the bad, the meaning, the joy, the pain of life!
“I don’t limit myself. I am always taking risks. That is my philosophy about music and about life.”
Maggie was John’s second wife.
His first wife was named Pamela, but there is very little information about her available in the public domain.
John and Maggie got married in 1982.
In the statement released following John’s passing, both of his wives were mentioned.
It reads: “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 90 years of tireless efforts to educate, inspire and entertain…
“John is survived by his 6 children, Gaz, Jason, Red, Ben, Zak and Samson, 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
“He is also surrounded with love by his previous wives, Pamela and Maggie, his devoted secretary, Jane, and his close friends.
“We, the Mayall family, cannot thank his fans and long-list of band members enough for the support and love we were blessed to experience secondhand over the last six decades.”
John and Maggie divorced after 30 years of marriage.
They had two sons together named Zack and Samson.
Mayall and Maggie divorced in 2011.
Since the early eighties, Maggie has taken part in the management of her husband’s career.
She continued to manage John even after the couple divorced.
