Mayer will pursue other musical endeavors
John Mayer has announced that he’s leaving his longtime label, Columbia Records, after 21 years. The pop star shared the news on social media last week.
“After 21 years, eight studio albums, and some wonderful personal and creative relationships, I have decided not to renew my recording agreement with Columbia Records. Hard as it is to say goodbye, I’m excited to pursue new avenues of making music, both of my own and with other artists,” he writes. “I love music more than ever, and I believe some of my best work still lies ahead.”
In July, Mayer released Sob Rock, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard and Rolling Stone Album Charts. At the time, it the biggest debut sales week for an album in nearly two months with 61k copies sold in the US. The album was produced by Mayer and Don Was.
Mayer is currently in the midst of his Sob Rock Tour 2022 which continues March 11th in Las Vegas. Additional dates include a three night stand at Los Angeles’ Forum, two at San Francisco’s Chase Center, two at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and others before wrapping May 9th and 10th with a two night stand at Boston’s TD Garden.
Mayer is also a member of Dead & Company which was formed in 2015 when the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir joined forces with Mayer, Allman Brothers’ bassist Oteil Burbridge, and Fare Thee Well and RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti. The result was one of the most successful touring bands of the decade. Since its formation, the band has completed six tours, playing to 3.4 million fans, and has become a record-breaking stadium act. Having toured consistently since its 2015 debut, the band has grossed $255.5 million and sold 2.8 million tickets across 149 reported shows. Dead & Co. has headlined iconic stadiums across the country including Folsom Field, Autzen Stadium, Citi Field, Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium. Additionally, the band broke Wrigley Field’s all-time concert attendance record.
Earlier this year, the band was forced to cancel its annual Playing in the Sand Mexican festival due to spikes of COVID-19 cases. Before the entire event was canceled, Mayer had contracted COVID-19 and was forced to bow out.
