Born on October 16, 1977, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, John Mayer grew up in a musical family that encouraged his early interest in music. He began playing the guitar at the age of 13 and quickly developed a passion for blues and rock music. After high school, Mayer moved to New York City to pursue a career in music, playing gigs in various clubs and bars. His big break came in 2000 when he was discovered by Atlantic Records, which led to the release of "Room for Squares" in 2001.