“It went totally sour. After we did the album thing, it was like, ‘This isn’t happening’”: Why Nile Rodgers and John Mayer’s collaboration was derailed – because of a Rolling Stones album

Nile Rodgers performs onstage during Together for a Better Day concert at Avicii Arena on December 03, 2025 in Stockholm AND John Mayer performs onstage for day two of the 2025 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm on September 28, 2025 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Nile Rodgers has opened up on his ill-fated collaboration with John Mayer, which failed to get off the ground after the pair exchanged their favorite albums with one another.

Rodgers’ collaborative credits reads like a who’s who of the upper echelons of the music world. Over the years, the funk guitar maestro has worked with everyone from David Bowie and Sister Sledge, all the way to Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Dianna Ross, Mick Jagger and many more.