Born on December 16, 1933, as John Robert Smith. He became known as Johnny ‘Hammond’ Smith in the mid-50 and 60s as he emerged as an organist to avoid confusion with the guitarist John Smith and the more famous organist Jimmy Smith.
Johnny mainly played Soul-Jazz and Jazz-Funk through out his career, but very early in his career he played bop and hard-bop. The hammond in his name comes from his use of the Hammond B-3 Organ. He dropped the smith part of his name when he signed on sister label of CTI records Kudu. Smith taught at the Cal Poly Pomona music department for a couple of years, beginning in January 1987. Johnny died on June 4, 1997.
Johnny Hammond's first album Gambler’s Life released on Thu Jan 01 1970.
The most popular album by Johnny Hammond's is Gears
The most popular song by Johnny Hammond's is Back to the Project
Johnny Hammond's first song Catch My Soul released on Thu Jan 01 1970.