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John Mayer

Historical Figure

John Mayer

1977–2004

American musician (born 1977)

Late 20th Century

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Biography

John Clayton Mayer is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but he left for Atlanta in 1997 with fellow guitarist Clay Cook, with whom he formed the short-lived rock duo Lo-Fi Masters. After their split, Mayer continued to play at local clubs, refining his skills and gaining a minor following. He performed at the 2000 South by Southwest festival, and was subsequently signed by Aware Records, an imprint of Columbia Records through which he released his debut extended play (EP), Inside Wants Out (1999). His first two studio albums—Room for Squares (2001) and Heavier Things (2003)—were both met with critical and commercial success; the initial spawning the single "Your Body Is a Wonderland", which won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards, while the latter peaked atop the Billboard 200.

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In Their Own Words (5)

Timeline

The story of John Mayer, told in moments.

2001 Event

Released Room for Squares. "No Such Thing" and "Your Body Is a Wonderland" made him a pop star. Critics dismissed him as soft. He could outplay almost any guitarist on the scene.

2005 Life

Began sitting in with blues legends. B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy. Formed the John Mayer Trio to prove he wasn't just a pop singer. Released Try!, a raw blues album recorded live.

2015 Event

Joined Dead & Company, touring Grateful Dead songs alongside Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann. Dead purists were furious. Then they heard him play.

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