John Mayall in Hilo for Two Nights with New Trio Band
John Mayall, the Godfather of British Blues and the recently Blues Hall of Fame inductee will be playing in Hilo live on Friday, Nov. 25 at Palace Theater and Saturday, Nov. 26 at Honoka’a People’s Theatre.
With the success of his latest studio album, “Find a Way to Care,” as well as the recent two volumes of “John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers– Live in 1967,” Mayall continues to tour throughout the summer and fall with the band he considers his best-yet.
With a new studio album titled “Talk About That” scheduled for release in early 2017 on Forty Below Records (which includes special guest Joe Walsh on two tracks); and a lengthy US tour through late fall, Mayall announced that effective with the upcoming tour dates, his band will perform as a trio.
Mayall officially released the following statement:
TO MY FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS,
As many of you will have heard the dramatic news that I will now be performing live shows as a trio, I feel I should explain how it all came about in a chain of events that led to my decision.
Due to severe storm conditions recently, guitarist Rocky Athas was unable to get out of Dallas for my recent festival shows that led to my performing as a trio.
Having never performed anywhere or at any time without a guitar sidekick, I found that I was able to explore new territories in a trio configuration playing organ, keyboards, harmonica and guitar.
Needless to say I was surprised at how different and stimulating the experience was for me as a performer.
Several days after the show I made the decision to explore this new venture. When I told Rocky of my decision, he was very understanding and hopefully his popularity in my band for the past seven years will be increased as he resumes his solo career.
To me it seems fitting that the final guitar position in my band featured one of the nicest and most talented guys I’ve known and the best in his field. We all wish him well.
So now, as Greg Rzab, Jay Davenport and I embark on several weeks of intensive touring all around the States, we hope you all will enjoy the fireworks coming your way as my live show calendar brings us to your expectant ears.
Thank you everyone.
John Mayall