John Mayall at Warwick University
by Pete Clemons
John Mayall and his various bands visited Warwick University several times playing consecutive years between 1965 and 1968. From an organisational point of view those visits had varying degrees of success. Mainly around the numbers attending and the financial side of things. The entertainments department had its own budget to work around. Additionally, I am guessing that blues music was maybe still niche at that time.
During 1967 it was announced that The Coventry Colleges Rag Week was to be held during April. It would feature a dance headlined by John Mayall. All proceeds would go mainly to the 'Save the children fund', with lesser donations to other charities. The problem was the dance lost money and the charities never did get the promised funds.
An inquest afterwards stated that - 'In the first year that the university put on events dances (I assume this t mean 1965), it seemed, made a profit with a greater percentage of the students attending; anyone who has spoken to a third-year 'raver' will be told this, but I'm sorry it's true. Every dance in the first year, according to the scanty treasurer's files made a profit. The artistes ranged through, John Mayall, Alex Harvey, the old Steam Packet, Mike Cotton, Gino Washington and the Alan Price Set. The dances were packed they were all successes'.
The report continued 'But in the second year the situation changed. following in the steps of the first year boom, a number of good groups were booked, Mike Cotton, Mayall again, the Move, the Cream, the Family and Alan Bown to name but a few. But only few of the dances broke even, most made a loss, and the question was why, they had followed the same formulae as the first year dances, so why did they fail' ?
Various reasons and ideas were then submitted on how to improve things. Something must have worked because after John Mayall's next visit during 1968 it was joyfully announced: 'Mayall makes money with a record attendance'
That particular report continued 'Last Friday evening saw the most popular and profitable dance of the year. Over 750 listened and danced to the exciting music of John Mayall, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera and the Green Marble Mind. The atmosphere sometimes destroyed by the A.T.V. floodlights, was tremendous. It seems unreasonable that people, having paid a comparatively large amount of money for the dance should have had their enjoyment spoiled by the brightness of these lights which not only dazzled them but made it uncomfortably hot, especially for dancing'.
'Indeed it was very noticeable that fewer people were dancing than normal. Throughout his one and a half hour set, which included only a short break, John Mayall played us music which demonstrated his true worth as Britain's top blues player. Backed by six members of his Bluesbreakers, Mayall played brilliantly through many of his L.P. tracks, lengthening and adapting them to the mood of the dance'.
'With his ragged beard and casual attire, he needed no gimmicks to hold the attention of his massive audience. Altogether superb music from some very talented musicians but what else could you expect from a group that has in its time included such people as Aynsley Dunbar, Pete Green and Eric Clapton yet further indication of the prowess of the great John Mayall'.
This dance, it seems, was the culmination of a period of reform of the structure of the Ents. Committee, last term and its success both financially and socially was a triumph for the new format. In conclusion, it was mentioned - 'this dance has proved that the university was not all apathetic and that it is up to all of us to help continue the enthusiasm that was aroused on Friday night'.
