Hammond eggs, grits and biscuits

This isn't about breakfast food, of course, it's about the mighty Hammond Organ. You say, what's the big deal? Well, it's something about those tone wheels -- hmmm, I think. It's such a cool idea, you know?! All those tone wheels spinning in front of electro magnets to produce that awesome sound that thumps, scratches, scrapes, screams goes soft to lush ballad. spins up then down. It's really amazing. The Hammond is electric, too, not electronic. There is a difference. The sound is produced by spinning wheels of different sizes. Wow!! Then, there is that chorus scanner. Whew!! I don't think that sound can be simulated by electronics.

It all started with an inventor named Laurens Hammond who had colleagues the likes of Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison. He first came up with an idea for a synchronous motor which enabled an electric clock to be built which would keep accurate time. Up until then, electric motors weren't suitable for clocks because their speed varied too much for time keeping. This led to the invention of the first portable Hammond organ (there were only pipe organs before) which used the same synchronous motor to spin all the tone wheels which provided constant pitch for music. The year was 1934. Mr Hammond never dreamed of what would happen to his organ, though. Over the years musicians found all kinds of different ways to use them. In the 1960's jazz and rock musicians discovered how great the organs sounded when the drawbars were pulled all the way out and the volume cranked way up!! That slight speaker distortion was just what Steve Winwood of the Spencer Davis Group, needed on "Gimme Gimme some lovin" !! Of course, Jimmy Smith showed us how to use the harmonic percussion and play upright bass with his left hand and foot! Keith Emerson pushed his Hammond around the stage as he played and threw knives at it as part of his stage act. The Hammond was totally transformed forever. I'm sure though, this was not what Mr Hammond has in mind!!! I often wonder if he was insulted!!!!

Today we hear that sound almost everywhere. If we stop to listen, it's mixed into music in top forty , at the mall over sound systems, on TV shows and commercials and movie tracks . And, it's always been in the black church. Many white churches ,too.

The last tone-wheel Hammond was made in 1976 but the sound lives on! The old organs, even from the 40's and 50's were so well made (over engineered) that most of them will still play, even though they may need to be re-wired. The Hammond company still makes the organs but no longer uses the old 'electric' system, with the wheels ,but uses electronic synthesis and sampling technology. Other companies too, are trying to get into the act ,trying to imitate the "spirit" of the sound. Often times on tape, it's hard to tell the difference between the real thing and the 'clone'.

For me, I fell in love with the organ when I saw Felix Caveliere with the Young Rascals play their current hit song on the long extinct, Ed Sullivan show. I remember that is was a Sunday night and I was about 15 years old. When I saw Felix singing and playing the Hammond B3, and stabbing the bass pedals, I was 'awe struck'! It was the sound!! Check out my 'Youtube' clip!


My favorite use for the Hammond organ now is in praise and worship music at church. In fact I'll make a bold statement and say that I believe the Hammond organ to be one of God's instruments that He allowed us to have, to help usher in true worship in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that almost since the beginning of the invention of this instrument, it has been used in the church. Especially in black spirit filled type churches , this sound has been sought out. A pastor friend of mine says, "when I hear that sound of the Hammond organ, it just makes me want to praise the Lord"!