Died On This Date (July 10, 1987) John Hammond / Legendary Talent Scout & Producer
themusicsover John H. Hammond
December 15, 1910 – July 10, 1987
John Hammond was one of the most influential men in the music business during the 20th century. Whether as a producer or talent scout, Hammond was instrumental in the success of many of the names in music. That list includes Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pete Seeger, Aretha Franklin, and Count Basie. Hammond began his career in the early ’30s, mostly working with jazz artists, primarily helping African American musicians like Lionel Hampton and Charlie Christian land gigs in previously all-white bands. In 1938, Hammond put together the first of the groundbreaking From Spirituals To Swing concerts that included the biggest names in jazz, blues and gospel. Taking place at Carnegie Hall, it was reportedly the first significant concert by a racially mixed group of performers in front of a racially mixed audience. The albums documenting the shows are now considered American music classics and a box set was released in 1999 thanks in part to Morgana Kennedy at Vanguard Records. In the early ’60s, Hammond was hired by Columbia Records where he signed Springsteen, Dylan, Seeger, Aretha and many others. John Hammond passed away after a stroke at the age of 76.
Bob Willis was a preacher and respected country singer and songwriter, so much so that he has been called “Mr. Country Gospel.” Willis began writing straight country songs when he was just twelve years old but switched to country gospel when he turned his focus to the ministry at age 26. Over his career, Willis published over 140 songs and had songs recorded by over 100 artists including Jimmie Davis. Bob Willis passed away at the age of 75.
Jelly Roll Morton is considered Jazz’s first great composer and by at least himself, the inventor of jazz. Regardless, his contribution to the form cannot be denied. Starting out in New Orleans, reportedly playing the local bordellos as a teenager, Morton soon hit the road landing in Los Angeles, Chicago and finally New York where his reputation as a braggart kept him from landing the sidemen he wanted, adversely effecting his career. He did make some outstanding recordings though, but he never was able to get the acclaim he deserved until after his death, again, likely due to his reputation. Jelly Roll Morton died as a result of ongoing asthma troubles at just 50. His place in American music was finally recognized in the coming years when New Orleans jazz went through a revival.
Stu Sobol began his career at retail, working for Wherehouse Records in Van Nuys, California. In later years, Sobol went into artist management, establishing his solid with Spivak Sobol Entertainment and later, The Firm after the two companies merged. Over his twenty year career in management, Sobol oversaw the careers of Seether, A Perfect Circle, Yellowcard, Vanessa Carlton, and Zach de la Rocha. Sobol also served on the City of Calabasas Traffic And Transportation Commission. He died of complications from pneumonia on July 10, 2008. He was 50.
Known simply as Midnight, John McDonald was the founding lead singer of ’80s progressive metal band, Crimson Glory. Formed in 1982 in Sarasota, Florida, Crimson Glory quickly made their mark as one of the most revered metal acts in the area. Dawning full-face masks in the beginning, the band was soon earning recognition in best-of polls with Midnight being named Most Outstanding Male Vocalist at 1989’s Tampa Music Awards. During the ’90s, Midnight left the band and more or less disappeared from the scene. He died of liver and kidney failure at 47 years old on July 8, 2009.