I thought that Mayall was quite famous for stealing sidemen from others such as Alexis Korner and also for sacking them when he'd had enough of them (Keef Hartley?). Of course he helped so many excellent musicians to develop it seemed that you weren't a worthy blues player if you hadn't been in the Bluesbreakers at some time.

There were some notable lineups with US musicians as well - one of my favourites (or should that be favorites?) being the Don 'Sugarcane' Harris, Larry Taylor, Harvey Mandel one.