The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond and John M. Hanert. The instrument was first manufactured in 1935. It has two manuals along with a set of bass pedals. A variety of models have been produced. The most popular is the B-3, produced between 1954 and 1974.
The instrument was designed to replace the pipe organ in churches, and early adopters included Henry Ford and George Gershwin, but it was not widely adopted for classical music. However, it was played in African American churches, and its use spread to gospel music and then to jazz in the 1950s. After usage declined in the jazz world in the 1970s, it subsequently regained its popularity in the genre and has become the second most used keyboard instrument in jazz after the piano. Jimmy Smith popularized the Hammond organ, and its technique of using drawbars and pedals.
Having found success in jazz, the Hammond organ became popular in rhythm and blues, including Booker T. & the M.G.'s and other Stax Records artists. From there, it became used in rock music, with users including Ian McLagan, Jean Alain Roussel, Matthew Fisher, Steve Winwood, Mike Finnigan, Gregg Allman and Jon Lord. It became a significant instrument in progressive rock during the early 1970s, and became a featured instrument in ska and reggae. Although the original Hammond Organ Company collapsed, it was purchased by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation, who continued to manufacture the instrument using several former staff for research and development. Jazz organists, including Joey DeFrancesco and Barbara Dennerlein, have continued to feature the Hammond organ into the 21st century.
A ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesDon Aireyb. 1948C-3A-100Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Deep PurpleUsed Jon Lord's old C-3 upon joining Deep Purple, but prefers the A-100.Gregg Allman1947–2017B-3The Allman Brothers BandWas given a brand new B-3 and Leslie 122RV when the band was formed.Tori Amosb. 1963B-3Y Kant Tori ReadPlayed a Hammond on her 2005 album The Beekeeper.Rod Argentb. 1945B-3The Zombies, ArgentSolo on 1972 hit single "Hold Your Head Up" cited by Rick Wakeman as "the greatest organ solo ever".Brian Augerb. 1939L-100B-3Julie Driscoll, The Trinity, The Oblivion ExpressPlayed without a Leslie speaker.
B ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesJoe Baggb. 1967B-3Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Anthony WilsonFeatured on Downbeat Magazine's rising stars for organ (2011-present)Tony Banksb. 1950L-122T-102GenesisBought a L-122 when the band was formed, which was replaced by a T-102.Hugh Bantonb. 1949E-100C-3Van der Graaf GeneratorPlayed a Hammond E-100 organ that he personally modified with customised electronics.Nickey Barclayb. 1951TTR-100C-3FannyPeter Bardens1944–2002C-3Shotgun Express, Camel, Van MorrisonGraham Bond1937–1974Don Rendell Quintet, Blues Incorporated, The Graham Bond OrganisationAn early adopter of the Hammond in the UK, playing it on stage as early as 1962.James Brown1933–2006B-3Used the same model for 20 years, calling it "The Godfather", and played it on sessions for other artists.Milt Buckner1915–1977B-3The Hammond Organ TrioPioneered the use of the Hammond organ in jazz.John "Rabbit" Bundrickb. 1948C-3, XB-2The WhoFreeUsed a Hammond on loan from Pete Townshend when he started touring with The Who. Has since used a XB-2.Jerry Burke1911–1965Lawrence WelkOrganist for Lawrence Welk from 1934 until his death. Published several volumes of organ arrangements.
C ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesTony Careyb. 1953Rainbow,Over The RainbowFelix Cavaliereb. 1942The (Young) Rascals, Steven Van Zandt's 'Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul', Ringo Starr's All-Starr BandSongwriters Hall of Fame inductee Bill Champlinb. 1947Sk1-73 & B-3Keyboard player with US band Sons of Champlin and Wunderground. Worked with artists including Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, Elton John, Boz Scaggs, Donna Summer, Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Jimmy Smith, Amy Grant, Neil Diamond and Kenny RogersElbernita "Twinkie" Clarkb. 1954The Clark SistersUS gospel singer, composer, musician, and evangelist dubbed "The Queen of the B-3". Has performed in The Clark Sisters and as a solo artist.Rob Collins1965–1996The CharlatansTom Costerb. 1941B-3Santana, John McLaughlinVincent Crane1943–1989C-3The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic RoosterHank CrawfordB-3Bought a B-3 in 1956, having already accomplished several other instruments.Jesse Crawford1895–1962 A US pianist and organist who performed in the 1920s as a theatre organist for silent films. In the 1930s, he switched to the Hammond, and also used the chord organ.
D ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesJackie Davis 1920–1999 B-3Wild Bill Davis1918–1995C-3Floyd Smith, Johnny HodgesAmerican jazz pianist, organist, and arranger.Lenny Dee1923–2006AB-3transistor modelsAn American pop/easy listening/boogie-woogie/jazz organist whose career spanned six decades and 56 albums; he had a Top 20 hit in 1955 with "Plantation Boogie". Used various tonewheel and transistor Hammonds, and was a strong critic of the company.Joey DeFrancesco1971-2022B-3, New B-3An American jazz organist and trumpeter. Down Beat's 2003 Critics Poll selected him as "top jazz organist". Mentored by Jimmy Smith, he has performed with Miles Davis and John McLaughlin and Van Morrison."Papa" John DeFrancesco1940-2024B-3Father of Joey DeFrancesco.Barbara Dennerleinb. 1964B-3Has achieved particular critical acclaim for use of the bass pedals, and mixing the Hammond with samples. Has won the Down Beat "Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition" title five times, and is a three-time recipient of the German Critics Award.Bill Doggett1916–1996Billy ButlerCo-wrote and recorded the instrumental "Honky Tonk" in 1956.Tyrone Downie1956–2022Bob Marley and the WailersFeatured on "No Woman, No Cry" on the album Live!
E ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesCharles Earland1941–1999B-3Grover Washington, Jr.Keith Emerson1944–2016L-100C-3The Nice / Emerson, Lake & Palmer / Emerson, Lake & PowellInfamously abused a L-100 on stage, sticking knives in the instrument.Bobby Espinosa1949–2010B-3El ChicanoInducted into the "Hammond Heroes" society. At the time, had the distinction of being the only Latin organist recognized for his blues, Latin and jazz style.John Evanb. 1948C-3Jethro Tull
F ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesGeorgie Fameb. 1943M-100Georgie Fame and the Blue FlamesPioneer of British rhythm and blues through his performances at the Flamingo Club, London in the mid-1960s.Danny Federici1950–2008B-3Bruce Springsteen's E Street BandMike Finnigan1945–2021B-3Jimi Hendrix, Les Dudek, Taj Mahal, The Phantom Blues BandMatthew Fisherb. 1946M-102Procol HarumCo-wrote and recorded "A Whiter Shade of Pale".Henry Ford1863–1947A
G ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesMick Gallagherb. 1945C-3Ian Dury, The Blockheads, The Animals, Peter Frampton, The ClashGeorge Gershwin1898–1937ALarry Goldingsb. 1968B-3Maceo Parker, Peter BernsteinDave Greenfield(1949–2020)L-100The StranglersDave Greenslade(1943–2026)ColosseumGreensladeFocused on Hammond organ in Greenslade while Dave Lawson played synthesizers.
H ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesBo Hansson1943–2010Hansson & KarlssonA jam session featuring Hansson with Jimi Hendrix has been widely bootlegged.Atsuko Hashimotob. 197?B-3 with one or two Leslie speakersJeff Hamilton, Yutaka Hashimoto (jazz guitarist)Plays in jazz trios with a drummer and either a saxophonist or a guitarist.Alexander Hawkinsb. 1981As part of the trio Decoy.Isaac Hayes1942–2008B-3Stax RecordsUsed on Hot Buttered Soul.Cory Henryb. 1987B-3Cory Henry & The Funk ApostlesKen Hensley1945-2020B-3Uriah HeepMilt Herth1902–1969Christopher Hollandb. 196?Brother of Jools Holland.Richard "Groove" Holmes1931–1991B-3, X-77, ConcordeGene Ammons, Les McCann, Gerald WilsonJohn Hondorpb. 1964A-100, B-3,HX-3Unit Records
I ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesDoug Ingleb. 1945Iron ButterflyStarted with a Vox organ and later moved to Hammond.
J ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesBooker T. Jonesb. 1944M-1, M-3, B-3Booker T. & the M.G.'s, The Mar-Keys, Otis Redding, Stephen Stills, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Drive By Truckers, RancidPlayed a M-3 on the 1962 R&B hit "Green Onions".Melvyn "Deacon" Jones1943–2017B-3Baby Huey & the Babysitters, The Impressions band, Freddie King band, John Lee Hooker bandJohn Paul Jonesb. 1946M-100, C-3, SK-1Led ZeppelinEnglish multi-instrumentalist, best known as a bass playerLonnie Jordanb. 1948B-3Eric Burdon, War
K ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesTony Kayeb. 1946M-100C-3Yes, Badger, David BowieAl Kooperb. 1944Bob Dylan / Super Session / Blood, Sweat & TearsPlayed a Hammond on Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone".Joe Krownb. 1962A-100, B-3,XK-2Clarence "Gatemouth" BrownPlayed with Brown from 1992 to 2005.
L ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesRobert Lammb. 1944B-3ChicagoEddie Layton1925–2004Promoted the Hammond as a touring demonstrator, and played the organ at old Yankee Stadium for nearly 40 years.Ron Levyb. 1951B-3B.B. King band, Roomful of Blues, Ron Levy's Wild KingdomJon Lord1941–2012C-3The Artwoods, Deep Purple, WhitesnakeFounding member of Deep Purple, played a C-3 through a Marshall amplifier.Eddy Louiss1941–2015Jean-Luc Ponty
M ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesRay Manzarek1939–2013C-3The DoorsUsed a C-3 on L.A. Woman and the band's post-Jim Morrison career.Hank Marr1927–2004C-3, B-3X-66Rusty BryantPage McConnellb. 1963B-3PhishJack McDuff1926–2001B-3Mason, S. Allmusic Review, 16 January 2013Willis JacksonAlso known as "Brother" Jack McDuff. An early collaborator with George Benson.Jimmy McGriff1936–2008B-3Hank CrawfordGoldy McJohn1945–2017M-3, B-3SteppenwolfRon "Pigpen" McKernan1945–1973B-3Grateful DeadUpgraded from a Vox Continental to a B-3 in 1968.Ian McLagan1945–2014M-100Small Faces, Faces, Rolling StonesChristine McVie1943-2022B-3Played a chopped and customised B-3 on tourChicken Shack, Fleetwood MacJohn Medeskib. 1965B-3Medeski Martin & Wood, John ScofieldLee Michaelsb. 1945B-2Often played as a duo, with the Hammond covering all sounds except drums.Money MarkBeastie BoysBrent Mydland1952–1990B-3Grateful Dead
N ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesChristopher Northb. 1951B-3 Ambrosia
O ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesSpooner Oldhamb. 1943 B-3FAME Studios, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Dan Penn, Neil YoungOn The Box Tops' "Cry Like a Baby" and on Keith Richards' Crosseyed Heart.Mike Oldfieldb. 1953 On Tubular Bells, and Tubular Bells II.
P ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesDon Patterson1936–1988B-3Booker Ervin, Sonny StittBig John Patton1935–2002B-3Grant GreenSonny Phillipsb. 1936B-3Gene Ammons, Houston PersonBilly Preston1946–2006B-3The Beatles,The Rolling Stones, Eric ClaptonAlan Priceb. 1942The Animals, Alan Price SetStarted off with a Vox Continental organ.
R ImageNameLifetimeModels playedAssociated actsNotesDoug Riley1945–2007Famous People PlayersKnown as "Dr. Music".Billy Ritchieb. 1944'1–2–3', CloudsGregg Rolieb. 1947B-3Santana, JourneyTwo-time inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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