[I always thought this guy was going to break through some day. He was handsome, talented, and genuine. Maybe that’s not a formula for success these days. Rest in Peace, John Hammond, Jr.– a true Silverback. SB SM]
My college classmate, David Larkin, wrote this story about his personal experience with John Hammond–renamed Bad Bill Baddley, Jr. for the story.
John Hammond, the blues singer and guitarist died yesterday, Feb. 28, 2026.
“The son of the famed Columbia Records producer and talent scout also named John, the younger Hammond took to the guitar in high school and began performing traditional-style acoustic blues. He turned professional after dropping out of Antioch College in Ohio and signed with Vanguard Records in 1963; his debut album consisted largely of interpretations of material written by such blues artists as Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Robert Johnson, as well as Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene.” During his lengthy career, Hammond, who also played harmonica, released more than 30 albums, most remaining true to his favored blues styles.” – Jeff Tamarkin/BestClassicBands
John Paul Hammond
November 13, 1942 – February 28, 2026
Watch this video to see why John Hammond was the envy of any white boy who longed to sing the blues:
Even Dion DiMucci was his friend.
A young John Hammond at the Newport Folk Festival, 1963.
I heard John Hammond play at a small bar in Aspen in 1972. I was shocked to hear him stutter when he spoke, but never when he sang. I was with my friend Graeme Means from Providence, and after the first set people were asked to leave to make room for a new audience. Graeme and I decided to go downstairs to the men’s room and hide so we could come back for the second set. We hid behind piles of empty cardboard boxes, but soon heard bouncers coming after us. “I know they’re in here somewhere,” said one, and soon enough they led us upstairs. As we walked past a seated John Hammond he asked, “What’s going on?” When the bouncers told him we’d tried to sneak back in, Hammond replied, “Oh no, they’re personal friends of mine, let them stay.” And stay we did.
Cool story. Graeme Means … I haven’t heard that name for a while.