The Bluesbreakers may be no more, but blues legend John Mayall is still as creative as ever. Chris Price spoke to him at his California home.

After producing nearly 60 albums of original material and playing more than 100 shows a year, it is not surprising John Mayall got a little bored.

It came as catastrophic news to his band The Bluesbreakers when he decided to disband them in 2008, saying he wanted to cut back on his workload.

Yet when you are the Godfather of British Blues it is hard to keep away from making music for long and John released his latest album Tough with a new band in 2009. But the 77-year-old resolved to honour the final group of musicians who made up the Bluesbreakers.

"That name has been retired in honour of the guys who were with me for the last 15 years," said John of his on-off touring band since 1963.

Over the years the Bluesbreakers have featured Eric Clapton, former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor and Fleetwood Mac founders Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood.

"I thought it was unfair to put a different band together and call them the Bluesbreakers, so those guys get to keep the name.

"As the bandleader it is always my decision [to disband them]. They were all surprised when I did break the news but I had got a bit road weary and I needed a long break.

"Having said that, within three or four months the record company were asking me for a new album.

"I respect their playing and the people who have followed my career over the years know how good they all were but now I have the new gang which gives me more freedom."

Despite living in California since 1969, John has never spent too long away from the UK. His next show is at The Marlowe Theatre for the Canterbury Festival, performing with 21-year-old guitarist Oli Brown, winner of Best Male Vocalist and Best Young Artist at last year's British Blues Awards.

His touring schedule remains as hectic as ever, even without the Bluesbreakers, with the Kent gig kicking off his latest run of 25 UK dates - without a single day off.

"When I'm on the road I don't like days off," said John. "You lose momentum.

Agents know when they book tours to try hard to fill every day of the week. I do over 100 shows a year but if I fill all the dates I'm only on the road for a third of the year. Then I can recharge the batteries."

Amazingly for someone who has produced 57 original albums, John cannot read or write music and just pulls together an album when his record company, currently Eagle, asks him for one.

He said: "I wish I had more talent sometimes but not having that scholared training is what developed my own style. But when I'm writing a song, my mood dictates my ideas."

Even after a career which has spanned more than 50 years, John is far from retiring, adding: "I will always want to create music. Whether that is in public depends on my health. I have a new band and a new lease of life.

"I cannot imagine not doing shows any more."

Guitar heroes

Well-known for his eye for talent, John Mayall has nurtured some of music's most influential figures in his band the Bluesbreakers. He claims to have no idea how, though.

John said: "I proved an environment for talent to grow. That's the best answer I can come up with.

"I was a service for them [the musicians] to be free to have their own identity.

"It is very hard for me to decide who was the best. Every guitar player and musician has their own identity and skill.

"Historically, the most freestyle one was Eric [Clapton] because he was the first one who knew what the blues was about in the early 1960s. It is great he is still getting out there and playing as great as ever."

John Mayall performs at Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre with young blues guitarist Oli Brown on Tuesday, October 25. The show is part of the Canterbury Festival.