John Mayer Biography

Fast Facts

• Started a nonprofit organization called the Back to You Fund, which raises funds to benefit health care, education, the arts and talent development by selling exclusive guitar picks, T-shirts and signed CDs
• Released his debut EP, "Inside Wants Out," in 1999 and distributed the album himself before getting his big break after performing at the South by Southwest Music Festival the following year
• First began performing at local blues clubs in Connecticut as a teenager before moving to Atlanta after high school to form the LoFi Masters with his friend Clay Cook
• Worked at a gas station for over a year to save up the money to buy a 1996 Stevie Ray Vaughan signature Stratocaster
• Quote: "You get to a certain age where you prepare yourself for happiness․ Sometimes you never remember to actually get happy․ I remembered to get happy․"
• Pop and acoustic rock singer whose hit songs include "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and "Waiting on the World to Change․"
• Began incorporating genres outside of pop into his repertoire, especially blues and rock
• His pop albums, which featured his skillful guitar playing along with his sensitive vocals and lyrics, achieved great commercial success
• Collects watches, aquiring a rare Patek Philippe wit a Sky Moon Tourbillion, a Rolex GMT-Master 116710 BLNR and an IWC Big Pilot Ref 5002 among many others
• Has a number of tattoos, including a sleeve that covers his entire left arm