In 1968, Taj Mahal was performing at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles when he noticed a who's who of British rock music in the audience. “Three of the Stones were dancing, along with three of The Animals,” he recalls. “Eric Clapton was in the back of the room. There was a current going back and forth.”
The young stars of the British Invasion were heavily influenced by the blues, and they were captivated by Mahal's electrified version of American roots music. After his set, Mahal approached Mick Jagger and asked if there was ever an opportunity for his band to play in England. “Three months later, they sent us eight first class round-trip tickets,” Mahal says. “We went over and they treated us absolutely the best we'd ever been treated by anybody.” The Rolling Stones invited him to perform at their Rock and Roll Circus, a star-studded concert also featuring John Lennon and The Who.
Now 83, Mahal is still active, having won five Grammy awards and released over 40 records. His new album, Time, features a collaboration with Bob Marley's son Ziggy and a previously unheard Bill Withers song. Mahal remains enthusiastic about life on the road. “It's all about the music,” he says. “I love the people, and like to see them enjoying it.”
Mahal's father, Henry St Claire Fredericks Sr, was a composer and arranger who worked with Ella Fitzgerald. Mahal adopted his stage name in the early 1960s, inspired by dreams about Mahatma Gandhi. After moving to California, he formed the band Rising Sons with Ry Cooder. Following the band's split in 1966, Mahal released his first two solo albums in 1968, including the song “She Caught The Katy (And Left Me a Mule to Ride)”, later covered by John Belushi.
