Unlike many of his 60s contemporaries, who are content to trade solely on the glory days of the past, John Mayall has continued to tread new ground, consistently recording new material and touring relentlessly to bring the music he loves to a new generation of blues fans, while also keeping the old heads happy.

Recognition for his work came from an unexpected source when, in November 2005, the blues maestro from Macclesfield was awarded the OBE for his services to the music industry.

His band The Bluesbreakers, which once acted as the conveyor belt for top British blues talent, has now stabilised into a solid unit, the current line-up undoubtedly the longest-serving in the group's 40 year history: "Absolutely, considering the longest running member is our drummer Joe Yuele, who has been with us for 21 years and guitarist Buddy Whittington is coming up for 12 years' service," says Mayall.

"But it doesn't seem that long, you know, the band is still fresh. There's no shortage of ideas and stimulation."

The Mayall, Whittington, Canning, Yuele, Van Sickle line-up have forged their own distinct identity, yet given the illustrious history of The Bluesbreakers, I asked John whether the current band members mind the constant references back to the early days of Peter Green and Eric Clapton.

"No, I don't think so. I hope they're all pleased to be part of the Mayall history," he said.

"I think this was shown up so well in their live performances at my 70th birthday concert, when we were reunited with Eric and with Mick Taylor. We are just all part of the same ongoing Bluesbreaker family. There was no lack of communication, in no time at all everyone just slotted right back in."

As for his blues godfather' reputation for taking the cream of the blues scene under his wing and nurturing their fledgling talents until it was time to fly the nest; did John see it that way at the time?

"It was simply that I've always loved the music and admired the way that talented people play, and I found it very easy to pick out the people that excite me," he said.

"My bands were always put together without thinking any further beyond that, but it does seem that my taste has proved to be quite good."

For their forthcoming 37-date UK tour, Mayall will be reunited with Stan Webb's Chicken Shack.

"On the 2004 tour, we found that audiences seemed to like the combination, so Stan and his band will be opening up for us again - he's quite an entertainer," said Mayall.

There's also another new album in the pipeline, "Yes, we're still working on that right now and it will be a tribute to the music of Freddie King. It's in the final stages, but it won't come out in the UK until next spring.

"We have quite a full schedule. The tour will take us right up to the end of November, then we break for Christmas, because travel in all parts of the world is not very reliable due to weather conditions.

"So we'll resume again in the new year. However Eagle Records are releasing a box set of four of our albums, plus there will be a bonus CD of rare live recordings that come from my private collection. It's a very handsome package and that should be available in time for the tour."

Finally, with more and more youngsters returning to the origins of rock in search of a more authentic sound, I asked the blues godfather' for his pick of the next wave of blues musicians: "The one that comes readily to mind is Eric Steckel, who was good enough to warrant the guest spot on our Scandinavian tour in 2004.

"You can hear him on the current Road Dogs' live album - and aged 14 or 15, he was quite a find.

"There are many others too, which is indicative of the fact that young people are still attracted to blues music but are putting their own take on it. It does prove that it's alive and well - blues is the root music for pretty much everything going forward - it never really goes away."

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Stan Webb's Chicken Shack return to rock the Fairfield on Thursday, November 2.

For tickets call 0208 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk.