John Hammond, Blues Singer-Guitarist, Dies at 83

John Hammond (Photo from the artist’s website, used with permission)

John Hammond, the blues singer and guitarist also known as John P. Hammond and John Hammond Jr., died yesterday, Feb. 28, 2026. His passing was confirmed by musician Paul James, a collaborator and close friend of Hammond’s, who posted on Facebook that he received news of Hammond’s death from the latter’s wife Marla. The cause and place of his death have not yet been revealed. Hammond was 83.

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. One album, however, 2001’s Wicked Grin, consisted almost entirely of covers of Tom Waits songs.

Watch John Hammond perform with John Lee Hooker in 1992

Born in New York City on November 13, 1942, John Paul Hammond was the son of Jemison McBride and John Henry Hammond Jr. The latter—with whom the younger John did not live and saw infrequently after his parents divorced—is credited with discovering and promoting an astounding array of artists including Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

John Jr. continued to record for Vanguard for several years, then for many other labels, and although he continued to favor the acoustic guitar throughout most of his career—his instrument of choice was often the National Reso-Phonic Guitar—he also performed on electric guitar as early as the mid-’60s; his 1965 album So Many Roads featured accompaniment by guitarist Mike Bloomfield as well as three members of Ronnie Hawkins’ group who would soon emerge as members of The Band: Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm. During this period, Hammond also befriended and sometimes recorded with musicians such as Duane Allman, Jimi Hendrix (who briefly played in Hammond’s band before he became famous) and Eric Clapton. In 1973, Hammond recorded the album Triumvirate along with Bloomfield and Dr. John.

Related: An interview with the elder Hammond on signing the young Bruce Springsteen

Hammond won a Grammy in 1985 for his performance on the compilation album Blues Explosion and received several other nominations during his career. He has also won eight Blues Music Awards and received an additional 10 nominations.

Watch Hammond perform Tom Waits’ “‘Til the Money Runs Out” live

Many of Hammond’s recordings are available in the U.S. here, in Canada here and in the U.K. here.

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and inspiration, John Hammond, Jr. From the first time I heard him on the first blues album I bought, Blues at Newport ‘63 on Vanguard Records, I was just knocked out and have felt that way about him ever since.

(1/5) pic.twitter.com/tyHbxLYapq

— Bonnie Raitt (@TheBonnieRaitt) March 2, 2026

Rest in peace John . I will never forget how kind you were to me over the years. The first time I met him was on New Year's eve in 1991 when he was opening up for Buddy Guy at Irving Plaza in New York. I was asked to sit in with Buddy that night. John handed me his 1930's… pic.twitter.com/JYgCXIyXws

— Joe Bonamassa (Official) (@JBONAMASSA) March 2, 2026

From George Thorogood: “For more than 50 years, John Hammond, Jr. was an icon, a professional role model and, most importantly, a friend. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate what the man and his music meant to us, and to so many.”