A pioneering British blues band, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Mayall, that has included such luminaries as Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Mick Taylor.

The Bluesbreakers were formed in January 1963 with an ever-evolving lineup. Eric Clapton joined in 1965 just a few months after the release of their first album. Clapton brought the blues influences to the forefront of the group, as he had left the Yardbirds in order to play the blues.

The group lost their record contract with Decca that year, which also saw the release of a single called I'm Your Witchdoctor (produced by Jimmy Page), followed by a return to Decca in 1966.

The album Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, also known as The Beano Album, was released later that year, reaching the Top Ten in the UK. Clapton and Bruce left the group that year to form Cream. Clapton was replaced by Peter Green for A Hard Road, after which he left to form Fleetwood Mac. Finally, in 1969, the third Bluesbreaker guitarist departed when Mick Taylor joined the Rolling Stones.

By the time the 1960s were over, the Bluesbreakers had finally achieved some success in the United States. With some interruptions, the Bluesbreakers have continued to tour and release albums (over 50 to date), though they never achieved the critical or popular acclaim of their earlier material. In 2003, Clapton, Taylor and Chris Barber reunited with the band for John Mayall's 70th birthday concert in Liverpool.