The above, which features Mick Taylor, was recorded at John Mayall’s 70th birthday concert in 2003. It’s not the Roy Orbison song.

Mayall is a unique and vital figure in the history of rock-and-roll. He worked with and influenced many of the great guitarists, including Eric Clapton and Taylor, who preceded Ronnie Wood in the Rolling Stones. Indeed, Mayall’s bio reads like a history of rock guitar. As usual, allmusic provides an insightful and thorough overview.

There is a lot of good video available for John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. Here are Hideaway (featuring Clapton at the birthday concert), Walking on Sunset, a nice tune without a title and Room to Move, which is Mayall’s best known song (“hit” would be pushing it). The current band — which is not called the Bluesbreakers — essentially is on an endless tour, which is amazing considering that Mayall is 78 years old.

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