Blues in the Box: Will Johns

A magnetic, award nominated performer, British Blues artist Will Johns masterfully captures a passionate blend of classic and modern Blues Rock, both in the studio and on stage.

In 2025, he reached a career milestone when he was inducted as a Legendary Artist into the Blues Hall of Fame in Chicago. At the ceremony at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago, Buddy himself said of Will’s playing “Now that is what you call the Blues”.

His current and sixth album On Top Of The World features drummer Steve Ferrone (Eric Clapton, Tom Petty) on nine tracks and a vocal performance by Tomiko Dixon, granddaughter of Blues legend Willie Dixon among his notable guests. The album has reached into the Top 10 on blues charts both nationally and internationally. His 2021 release BLUESDADDY went to #1 on the Roots Music Report. He has been nominated for ‘Best Original Blues Song’ by the British Blues Awards for three consecutive years.

Will has recently been added to the lineup in September for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Texas. Performing with him are longtime Clapton band members Nathan East and Sonny Emory plus Joe Bonamassa sitting in for a song.

His memoir BLUESDADDY Born into Noise, Raised on Chaos and Saved by the Blues, with writer Marshall Terrill is set for release in September 2026. The book tells the story of being raised in an illustrious, complicated, surreal musical legacy which has guided his path as it includes groundbreaking British artists and one of the most famous love stories in Rock ‘n’ Roll.

He is the son of renowned producer Andy Johns (Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin) and actress/model Paula Boyd and the nephew of celebrated recording engineer Glyn Johns (The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton). Will’s Aunt Pattie Boyd was famously married to both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, inspiring some of their best-known hits. His Aunt Jenny Boyd was married to Mick Fleetwood.

When Will was a teenager, he began playing the guitar with encouragement from his Uncle Eric. Will tells the story: “Eric laid the foundation by showing me the opening riff to Crossroads and said the rest was up to me. That was a great lesson in improvisation that I draw on to this day.”

Touring as a solo artist Will has become a favorite among festival goers, entrancing audiences with his powerful vocals and deep bluesy guitar work. Since 2023, he has been touring across Florida, establishing himself on the state’s well-known blues scene. 2026 sees him expanding his reach into venues across the U.S.A.

He has appeared across the U.K. at such prestigious events such as Blues On The Farm, Birmingham Jazz and Blues, Rainbow Festival and Cambridge Rock Festival. Will has played for enthusiastic fans in India and Guatemala and has toured Germany, the Czech Republic and Belgium to sold out venues. His adventures took him to Russia to perform in Moscow, St Petersburg and Koktebel.

Will has performed alongside many renowned and legendary musicians including Uncle Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Nathan East, Steve Ferrone, Jack Bruce, Steve Winwood, Ronnie Wood, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman, Nile, Rodgers, Robben Ford, Glenn Hughes, Roger Waters, Dennis Chambers, Greg Phillenganes, Sunny Emory and Gregg Bissonette.