Hammond Organ - Notable Uses of Instrument

Notable Uses of Instrument

The sound of the Hammond organ can be heard in rhythm and blues pieces such as "Hello Stranger" (March 1963) written by Barbara Lewis with backup by The Dells. The Hammond B-3 organ can be heard in 1960s surf music, where the spinning Leslie speaker, usually a 122, created distinctive special effects. The Hammond sound was a key part of the mystical soundscape of the 1967 Procol Harum song, "A Whiter Shade of Pale", in the Bach-like introductory measures played by organist Matthew Fisher (who actually played an M-102). Except for a few months in late 1976 and early 1977, Procol Harum has always (and still does after 40 years) appeared in concert with a Hammond. It was also popularized in Steve Winwood's soaring, animal-like "Gimme Some Lovin'" with The Spencer Davis Group, in The Small Faces' mod anthems "All or Nothing" and "Itchycoo Park" by Ian McLagan, and in the instrumental song "Green Onions" by Booker T. Jones of Booker T. & the M.G.'s. Billy Preston also played the Hammond organ in songs including "Outa-Space," which was one of the first songs that launched him into his solo career. In addition, the Hammond organ is prominent in the Beach Boys' #1 hit "Good Vibrations", where it is played by drummer Dennis Wilson.

Deep Purple's Jon Lord (C-3) was a highly regarded Hammond organist in rock music, and played and composed on it for more than 40 years. Other preeminent Hammond organists in rock include Emerson, Lake & Palmer's Keith Emerson (L-100 and C-3); The Zombies' and Argent's Rod Argent (B-3); Yes's Rick Wakeman (C-3); Yes's Tony Kaye (B-3); Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (C-3); and Uriah Heep's Ken Hensley (B-3). Hammond organs are also widely used in 1970s progressive rock music bands such as Pink Floyd's Rick Wright (First on a Hammond M-102, and later on a C-3); Genesis's Tony Banks (a Hammond L-122 and later a Hammond T-102); Kansas, notably on their song "Carry on Wayward Son" It also sparked the interest of the keyboard players in early heavy metal music bands such as Journey's "Walks Like a Lady" (B-3), and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones. The Stranglers were notable for being one of the few bands from the 'Punk' era to have a keyboard player, Dave Greenfield. The Hammond organ was a major component of The Stranglers music on their first three albums. Singer/Songwriter Grayson Hugh featured his unique Hammond B3 organ playing (with his Goff Professional Custom Hammond B3, with attached wah-wah pedal) on his 1992 MCA record "Road To Freedom", notably on tracks "There's A Time" and "I Can't Untie You From Me". The Hammond organ has also rarely been used in modern heavy metal, one notable example the 2001 album Imaginary Sonicscape by the Japanese Avant-garde black metal band Sigh. Swedish heavy metal/stoner metal band Death Organ uses Hammond organ fed through guitar distortion effects, as solely heavy metal guitar replacement. In the Metallica song Orion a Hammond organ is used in the fade-in at the intro. In the 1990s, Rob Collins of The Charlatans integrated the Hammond organ back into British rock 'n' roll. The song Weirdo (1992, #19 UK charts) opened with a solo Hammond riff that returned at each chorus. Blues Jazz legend Jimmy Smith can be heard playing a Hammond B-3 through a selection of organ riffs and solos recorded for the title track of Michael Jackson's multi-platinum comeback album "Bad." His 1987 performances are variously augmented by samples and synthesisers played by Smith himself and Greg Phillanganes. Numerous versions in various lengths now exist owing to the profusion of edits and remixes of "Bad" that were eventually released. See also Michael Jackson - Bad (Hammond B3 Midi organ solo in "Bad") (Epic/Sony) 1987.

Since late 1970s Hammond organs are being used in Congregational Singing of Hymns of Iglesia ni Cristo during Worship Services. Consoles being used is B-3 due to its Superiority like Pipe Organ. Notably the Central Temple and Tondo Locale employs the use of B-3 Console for their Hymn Singing.