Died On This Date (July 10, 1987) John Hammond / Legendary Talent Scout & Producer

John H. Hammond
December 15, 1910 – July 10, 1987

Photo by Frank Driggs
Photo by Frank Driggs

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.

Died On This Date (March 2, 1942) Charlie Christian / Jazz Guitar Great

Charlie Christian
July 29, 1916 – March 2, 1942

charlie

Charlie Christian was an influential jazz guitarist who, with his electric guitar prowess, helped pave the road for cool jazz, bebop, and ultimately, rock ‘n roll.  Christian became a household name, at least in the jazz world, during the swing era and has since been called the greatest improviser of that time.  His influence stretched far beyond jazz, earning him such disciples a  T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran and Jimi Hendrix.  By doing so, he was named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence in 1990.  During the late ’30s, Christian was diagnosed with tuberculosis, causing his health to quickly deteriorate.  Charlie Christian was just 25 when he died of the disease on March 2, 1942.