Gypie Mayo (guitar)

(Also known as: John Mayo)

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BIOGRAPHY:

Great guitarist, Gypie Mayo was born John Phillip Cawthra on July 24th, 1951, in Hammersmith, London, England.

Gypie Mayo while in Dr Feelgood

He started using the stage name of John Mayo, and started using the name Gypie Mayo when he already was in Dr Feelgood.

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BANDS:

BAND	PERIOD	DETAILS
White Mule	[1969]
Halcyon 747
Alias	[1976-1977]
Concrete Mick
Dr Feelgood	[Apr 77-1981]	6 recordings + 4 compilations
The Cobras	[1982]
Lone Sharks
The Practice	[1995]
The Enforcers		1 recording
The Yardbirds	[1996-mid 1998]	2 recordings
The Yardbirds (again)	[Aug 98-Mar 05]
Gypie Mayo & The Monumentals	[May 09] (a few gigs)

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WHITE MULE

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White Mule is the first band I know featuring Gypie Mayo, circa 1969:

WHITE MULE #?	1969
Gypie Mayo † guitar, as John Mayo	+ others unknown to me. Help!

They released a single before disbanding after one year.

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HALCYON 747

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Gypie Mayo was a member of the band Halcyon 747, but I haven´t any other info about them:

HALCYON 747 #?	?
Gypie Mayo † guitar, as John Mayo	+ others unknown to me. Help!

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ALIAS

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This was the band Alias during 1976 and 1977:

ALIAS #?		1976-1977
Gypie Mayo † guitar, as John Mayo	Cully Cullerton bass	Bill Sharpe keyboards	Brian Wren drums
Concrete Mickê

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CONCRETE MICK

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Gypie Mayo was a member of the band Concrete Mick, but I haven´t any other info about them:

CONCRETE MICK #?	?
êAlias
Gypie Mayo † mandolin, as John Mayo	+ others unknown to me. Help!

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DR FEELGOOD

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Dr Feelgood - from left to right: Gypie Mayo, Lee Brilleaux, John B Sparks and The Big Figure

Gypie Mayo is announced as the new guitarist in Dr Feelgood in April 1977:

DR FEELGOOD #?		Apr 77-1981
Lee Brilleaux † vocals, harmonica	Gypie Mayo † guitar	John B Sparks bass	The Big Figure drums

Gypie tayed with them until 1981, recording six albums: Be seeing you, Private practice (1979), the live album As it happens, Let it roll, A case of the shakes and On the job. A great lineup!

Other info on members of Dr Feelgood (I know up to 17 members)
Already covered (1):	Dave Bronze
Old pages (2):	Ian Gibbons, Tim Hinkley
To be covered (13):	The Big Figure, Lee Brilleaux, Pete Gage, Johnny Guitar, Wilko Johnson, Robert Kane, Henry McCullough, Phil Mitchell, Kevin Morris, Craig Rhind, Gordon Russell, John B Sparks, Steve Walwyn

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THE COBRAS

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Around 1982, Gypie Mayo was a member of The Cobras, featuring Laurence Garman:

THE COBRAS #?	1982
Laurence Garman harmonica	Gypie Mayo † guitar	+ others unknown to me. Help!

I´d like to get more info about them. Any help, please?

Other info on members of The Cobras (I know up to 2 members)
To be covered (1):	Laurence Garman

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LONE SHARKS

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Lone Sharks was a band formed by singer Bill Hurley with some ex-members of Dr Feelgood:

LONE SHARKS #?		?
Bill Hurley vocals	Gypie Mayo † guitar	John B Sparks bass	The Big Figure drums

Other info on members of Lone Sharks (I know up to 4 members)
To be covered (3):	The Big Figure, Bill Hurley, John B Sparks

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THE PRACTICE

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This was The Practice around 1995:

THE PRACTICE #?		1995
Gary Miller vocals	Gypie Mayo † guitar	John B Sparks bass	The Big Figure drums

Other info on members of The Practice (I know up to 4 members)
To be covered (2):	The Big Figure, John B Sparks

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THE ENFORCERS

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Gypie Mayo also played with Bill Hurley´s band The Enforcers:

THE ENFORCERS #?	?
Bill Hurley vocals	Gypie Mayo † guitar	+ others unknown to me. Help!

But I don´t know the complete lineup(s) or the period. Can someone help, please?

Other info on members of The Enforcers (I know up to 17 members)
Already covered (2):	Denny Ball, John ´Irish´ Earle
Old pages (1):	Jim Russell
To be covered (10):	Billy Bremner, Geoff Britton, Ben Donnelly, Gary Grainger, Johnny Guitar, Peter Gunn, Bill Hurley, Bill Liesegang, Pete Thomas, Big George Webley

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THE YARDBIRDS

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In 1996, Gypie Mayo joins The Yardbirds, replacing Ray Majors:

THE YARDBIRDS #?			1996-1997
Laurence Garman harmonica	Gypie Mayo † guitar	Chris Dreja guitar	John Idan bass, vocals	Jim McCarty drums

This was a great lineup for The Yardbirds:

THE YARDBIRDS #?			1997 - Summer 98
Alan Glen harmonica, percussion	Gypie Mayo † guitar	Chris Dreja guitar	John Idan bass, vocals	Jim McCarty drums

Gypie left the band to take a rest during Summer 1998 (with Idan switching to lead guitar, and Denny Ball joining in bass for the time Gypie was out of the band).

The Yardbirds: Gypie Mayo and Jim McCarty

In August 1998, Gypie Mayo returns to The Yardbirds:

THE YARDBIRDS #?			Aug 98-Sep 03
Alan Glen harmonica	Gypie Mayo † guitar	Chris Dreja guitar	John Idan bass, vocals	Jim McCarty drums

In September 2003, Alan Glen left the band.

New harmonica player for The Yardbirds is Billy-Boy Miskimmin, who joins the band in September 2003:

THE YARDBIRDS #?			Sep 03-Mar 05
Billy-Boy Miskimmin harmonica	Gypie Mayo † guitar	Chris Dreja guitar	John Idan bass, vocals	Jim McCarty drums

In March 2005, it´s Gypie Mayo who left them (to be replaced by Jerry Donahue).

Other info on members of The Yardbirds (I know up to 20 members)
Already covered (2):	Denny Ball, John Knightsbridge
Old pages (1):	Jeff Beck
To be covered (16):	Eric Clapton, Jerry Donahue, Chris Dreja, Mark Feltham, Laurence Garman, Alan Glen, John Idan, Ben King, Ray Majors, Jim McCarty, Billy-Boy Miskimmin, Jimmy Page, Keith Relf, Paul Samwell-Smith, David Smale, Top Topham

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GYPIE MAYO BAND

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In May 2009, Gypie Mayo & The Monumentals plays at a Lee Brilleaux tribute concert with some of his friends from The Barcodes:

GYPIE MAYO BAND #?			May 09
		êThe Barcodes		êThe Barcodes
Gypie Mayo † guitar	Pete Gage vocals	Alan Glen harmonica, vocals	Costa Tancredi bass	Dino Coccia drums
		The Barcodesê		The Barcodesê

Other info on members of Gypie Mayo Band (I know up to 5 members)
To be covered (3):	Dino Coccia, Pete Gage, Alan Glen

Gypie Mayo while in The Yardbirds in 2002

Gypie Mayo sadly passed away on October 23rd, 2013, after having some problems with his health.

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DISCOGRAPHY: (19 albums known to me - Status: In progress)

ALBUMS AS A BAND MEMBER (8 credits)

• Be seeing you - Dr Feelgood (1977)


• Members: The Big Figure, John B Sparks (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: Nick Lowe
• Private practice - Dr Feelgood (1978)


• Members: The Big Figure, John B Sparks (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: (RIP: Martin Rushent)
• Let it roll - Dr Feelgood (1979)


• Members: The Big Figure, John B Sparks (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• As it happens - Dr Feelgood (1979) (LIVE)


• Members: The Big Figure, John B Sparks (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: (RIP: Vic Maile)
• Comments: Recorded live in two different concerts.
• A Case of the shakes - Dr Feelgood (1980)


• Members: The Big Figure, John B Sparks (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: Nick Lowe
• On the job - Dr Feelgood (1981)


• Members: The Big Figure, John B Sparks (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Birdland - The Yardbirds (April 2003)


• Members: Jeff Beck, Chris Dreja, Alan Glen, John Idan, Jim McCarty (RIP: Gypie Mayo)
• Guests: Jeff ´Skunk´ Baxter, Martin Ditcham, Steve Lukather, Brian May, Joe Satriani, Slash, Steve Vai
• Technical: Neil Citron, Gavin Lurssen
• Birdland live! - The Yardbirds ( - )


• Members: Chris Dreja, Alan Glen, John Idan, Jim McCarty (RIP: Gypie Mayo)
• Comments: Live album recorded in their 2002-2003 tour.

COMPILATIONS AS A BAND MEMBER (4 credits)

• The UA years + singles - Dr Feelgood (1989)


• Members: The Big Figure, Johnny Guitar, Wilko Johnson, Phil Mitchell, Kevin Morris, Gordon Russell, John B Sparks (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: Bert De Coteaux, Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Mike Vernon, Pip Williams (RIP: Vic Maile)
• Comments: 2LP compilation with most of their best tracks, obviously featuring different band lineups. Wilko Johnson is featured in 6 tracks and Gypie Mayo in 10 tracks. The CD version lacks 2 tracks compared to the original double vinyl album.
• Looking back - Dr Feelgood (1995)


• Members: The Big Figure, Dave Bronze, Johnny Guitar, Wilko Johnson, Phil Mitchell, Kevin Morris, Gordon Russell, John B Sparks, Steve Walwyn (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Guests: Paul Jones
• Producer: (RIP: Vic Maile)
• Comments: 5CD boxset including a fifth CD with rarities, interviews and unreleased tracks.
• Finely tuned - Dr Feelgood (November 2002)


• Members: The Big Figure, Dave Bronze, Ian Gibbons, Johnny Guitar, Wilko Johnson, Phil Mitchell, Kevin Morris, Gordon Russell, Steve Walwyn (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Guests: Bob Andrews, Roger Cotton, Katie Kissoon, Stevie Lange, Kevin McAlea, Nick Payn, Neil Sidwell, Steve Sidwell, Paul Spong (RIP: Vicki Brown)
• Producer: Will Birch, Dave Charles, Nick Lowe, Mike Vernon, Pip Williams (RIP: Vic Maile)
• Wolfman calling - the blues of Lee Brilleaux - Dr Feelgood (June 2003)


• Members: The Big Figure, Dave Bronze, Ian Gibbons, Wilko Johnson, Phil Mitchell, Kevin Morris, Gordon Russell, John B Sparks, Steve Walwyn (RIP: Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: Dave Charles, Bert De Coteaux, Nick Lowe, Jerry Stevenson, Mike Vernon (RIP: Vic Maile, Big George Webley)

ALBUMS WITH BANDMATES AND FRIENDS (5 credits)

• A Touch of sunburn - The Enemy Within (1986)


• Members: Laurence Garman
• Guests: Ed Deane, Peter Green (RIP: Gypie Mayo + Mick Green)
• Comments: This also has been reissued under different titles, such as Two greens make a blues and credited to Mick Green & Peter Green, with 2 additional bonus tracks.
• Fast forward - The Inmates (1989)


• Members: Ben Donnelly, Eddie, Peter Gunn, Bill Hurley, Tony Oliver
• Guests: (RIP: Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: (RIP: Vic Maile)
• Comments: CD reissue from 2002 contains 3 bonus tracks.
• Angel to Memphis: a tribute to Elvis - Bill Hurley (1995)


• Members: Bill Hurley
• Guests: Johnny Guitar, Peter Gunn + Dick Hanson (RIP: John ´Irish´ Earle, Gypie Mayo, Big George Webley + Mann Curtis)
• With friends like these... - The Barcodes (2006)


• Members: Dino Coccia, Alan Glen, Bob Haddrell, Nick Newell
• Guests: Alan Barnes, Paul Cox, Zoot Money + Val Cowell, Jim Mullen (RIP: Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: Roger Cotton
• Comments: Recorded during May 2006.
• Tough talk - Pete Gage (2010)


• Members: Pete Gage
• Guests: (RIP: Gypie Mayo)

SESSIONS (1 credit)

• Persuader - Eager Beaver (1993)


• Guests: Barrie Martin (RIP: Mick Green, Gypie Mayo)
• Producer: Peter Gunn

COMPILATIONS (SESSIONS) (1 credit)

• Monday morning blues - the best of Mikey ´Bumper´ Melody - Mikey Melody (July 2003)


• Guests: Gladstone Anderson, Dave Bronze, David Madden, Mike Steed, Jeff Walker (RIP: Gypie Mayo)
• Technical: Dave Kelly, Tony Kelly

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QUESTIONS:

01. I´ve read that Gypie also played for Joe Brown, Geno Washington or Elvis Da Costa & The Imposters, but can´t find info. Any help, please?

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RELATED WEBSITE LINKS: 7


Official site(s) - tell them you saw the link here:

• The Yardbirds Official Website (USA)
• The Barcodes
• Note Music - You can get The Barcodes albums here

From the superb site Knights in Blue Denim: The British Blues Scene '68 - '70 (by Christer Fridhammar & Vanja), we have:

• Dr Feelgood
• The Yardbirds
• The Inmates
• The Barcodes

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RELATED VIDEO LINKS: 25
Disclaimer: I don´t own or upload any of the videos linked here. I just include links to live videos that are already available, in order to show the work of this musician. Anyway, if someone feels that some link shouldn't be included, please write me at the email address shown below. And if you know of more videos featuring Gypie Mayo, please, also write me with the link.

• Dr Feelgood - She´s A Windup
Dr Feelgood on TV. (Resolution: 240)
Featuring: The Big Figure, Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo, John B Sparks.


• Dr Feelgood - As Long As The Price Is Right
Dr Feelgood on TV in 1978. (Resolution: 360)
Featuring: The Big Figure, Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo, John B Sparks.


• Dr Feelgood - Down At The Doctors
Dr Feelgood live on TV in September 1978. (Resolution: 240)
Featuring: The Big Figure, Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo, John B Sparks.


• Dr Feelgood - Milk And Alcohol
Dr Feelgood on TV in 1979. (Resolution: 1080) (HQ)
Featuring: The Big Figure, Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo, John B Sparks.


• Dr Feelgood - Best In The World
Dr Feelgood live on TV in 1980. (Resolution: 240)
Featuring: The Big Figure, Lee Brilleaux, Gypie Mayo, John B Sparks.


• The Yardbirds - Got Love If You Want It
The Yardbirds live in 1998. (Resolution: 240)
Featuring: Chris Dreja, Alan Glen, John Idan, Gypie Mayo, Jim McCarty.


• The Yardbirds - I´m A Man
The Yardbirds live in 2004. (Resolution: 480)
Featuring: Chris Dreja, John Idan, Gypie Mayo, Jim McCarty, Billy-Boy Miskimmin.


• The Yardbirds - Back Where I Started
The Yardbirds live in 2004. (Resolution: 480)
Featuring: Chris Dreja, Alan Glen, John Idan, Gypie Mayo, Jim McCarty.


• The Barcodes - Big Boss Man
The Barcodes (without Dino Coccia!) live with great guests. (Resolution: 720) (HQ)
Featuring: Alan Glen, Bob Haddrell, Gypie Mayo, Peter Miles, Nick Newell.


• The Barcodes - Everything Or Nothing
The Barcodes live with great guests. (Resolution: 360)
Featuring: Dino Coccia, Paul Cox, Alan Glen, Bob Haddrell, Robin Jones, Gypie Mayo, Nick Newell, Art Themen.


• The Barcodes - The Sky Is Crying
The Barcodes live with great guests.
Featuring: Dino Coccia, Alan Glen, Bob Haddrell, Robin Jones, Gypie Mayo, Nick Newell, Art Themen.


• The Barcodes - Everyday I Have The Blues
The Barcodes (without Dino Coccia!) live with great guests. (Resolution: 720) (HQ)
Featuring: Alan Glen, Earl Green, Bob Haddrell, Gypie Mayo, Peter Miles, Nick Newell.


• Gypie Mayo - FBI
Gypie Mayo playing in 2009. (Resolution: 360)
Featuring: Gypie Mayo.


• Gypie Mayo & Friends - Summertime
Gypie Mayo and friends playing. (Resolution: 360)
Featuring: Jez Broun, Gypie Mayo, Saravian.


• Gypie Mayo - Standing At The Crossroads Again
Gypie Mayo & The Monumentals live in May 2009. (Resolution: 480)
Featuring: Dino Coccia, Pete Gage, Alan Glen, Gypie Mayo, Costa Tancredi.


• Gypie Mayo - Everything Or Nothing
Gypie Mayo & The Monumentals live in May 2009. (Resolution: 360)
Featuring: Dino Coccia, Pete Gage, Alan Glen, Gypie Mayo, Costa Tancredi.


• Gypie Mayo - Night Time
Gypie Mayo & The Monumentals live in May 2009. (Resolution: 480)
Featuring: Dino Coccia, Pete Gage, Alan Glen, Gypie Mayo, Costa Tancredi.


• Gypie Mayo - Got Love If You Want It
Gypie Mayo & The Monumentals live in May 2009. (Resolution: 480)
Featuring: Dino Coccia, Pete Gage, Alan Glen, Gypie Mayo, Costa Tancredi.


• Gypie Mayo - Unknown Track
Gypie Mayo on guitar. (Resolution: 240)
Featuring: Gypie Mayo.


• The Yardbirds - I´m Not Talkin´
The Yardbirds live. (Resolution: 360)
Featuring: Chris Dreja, Alan Glen, John Idan, Gypie Mayo, Jim McCarty.


• The Yardbirds - Sittin´ On Top Of The World
The Yardbirds live. (Resolution: 480)
Featuring: Chris Dreja, Alan Glen, John Idan, Gypie Mayo, Jim McCarty.


• Gypie Mayo - The Way You Look Tonight
Gypie Mayo playing. (Resolution: 144)
Featuring: Gypie Mayo.


• The Practice - She´s A Windup
The Practice live in 2011. (Resolution: 480)
Featuring: The Big Figure, Gypie Mayo, Gary Miller, John B Sparks.


• The Practice - Unknown Title
The Practice live probably in 2011. (Resolution: 1080) (HQ)
Featuring: The Big Figure, Gypie Mayo, Gary Miller, John B Sparks.


• Gypie Mayo & Friends - Unknown Track
Gypie Mayo and friends playing. (Resolution: 360)
Featuring: Gypie Mayo. Other musicians unknown to me.

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THANKS:

Very Special Thanks to:

Blake Powell: for The Barcodes albums and much more (2006).

Thanks to:

Alex Gitlin: my friend, for a Dr Feelgood album (1998).

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RELATED MUSICIANS:

Gypie Mayo mostly worked with these musicians: (name + number of credits)
The Big Figure (10)
Lee Brilleaux (10)
John B Sparks (9)
Vic Maile (6)
Nick Lowe (5)
Dave Bronze (4)
Johnny Guitar (4)
Wilko Johnson (4)
Phil Mitchell (4)
Kevin Morris (4)

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Page created by Miguel Terol on: 25/October/2013 - Last modified on: 25/October/2013. If you want to contribute with info, please write to: molympus1@gmail.com

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Please, note than you can check the indexes (musicians, bands, obituaries) at the top of this page.