THE word legend is thrown around today like cheap confetti at a wedding but when it comes to blues in the UK, John Mayall is a bona fide legend.

He has inspired countless musicians to pick up a guitar or sit behind the drums all because of his passion for loving the blues which he described as ‘a rich heritage’.

His major break through into music came when he formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in the 1960s.

The band has through its different incarnations counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues rock musicians, including Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor, Don “Sugarcane” Harris and Harvey Mandel.

The man himself has announced a major UK tour, which will see the ‘Godfather of British Blues’ perform a show at Frome’s Cheese & Grain October 28.

The tour also coincides with the release of his 65th studio album, Talk About That’.

Speaking about music, John said: “Music is what I do and it lives in what I play. It is very much a rich heritage and it is open to any number of interpretations, there is never anything stale about it.

for me it is an open book. It (music) is what I do. When I first heard the blues I liked it as it communicated with me on a deep level. My career have been very gratifying and I am pleased the audience appreciate what I do. First and foremost you have to enjoy what you are doing and enjoyment comes from what you are creating.

“Whatever you do you are communicating with people and hope they enjoy what they are listening to.”

One of the greatest blues albums he made was John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (known as The Beano Album) which was released in July 1966.

Looking back on this album, John said: “It is a classic, but the main thing is we are keeping the music alive and keep people talking about it.”

Not only are still taking about this album, they are still talking about John Mayall.