Grammy Award-winning blues legend John Hammond has died at the age of 83.
According to the Daily Mail, Toronto blues musician Paul James shared the news in a Facebook post on Sunday, March 1, revealing that the acclaimed singer and guitarist had passed away.
A cause of death was not immediately announced. However, Billboard Canada later reported that Hammond died from cardiac arrest.
James said he learned of Hammond’s passing from the musician’s wife, Marla Hammond, who informed him that her husband and fellow blues artist had died.
In his post, James wrote: “The blues world has lost a giant. I’ve lost my best friend.
My heart goes out to Marla and the family. Rest easy, John.”
John Hammond was an American blues singer and guitarist whose career spanned more than six decades. Born John Paul Hammond on Nov. 13, 1942, in New York City, he was the son of legendary record producer and talent scout John H. Hammond, who helped launch the careers of artists such as Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin.
Per The New York Times, through his father, Hammond was a descendant of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the famed shipping and railroad magnate. His parents later divorced, and he was largely raised by his mother, Jemison McBride, an actress and secretary. The two lived on MacDougal Street in New York City’s West Village.
Despite growing up around the music industry, Hammond forged his own path in the blues world. Inspired by artists like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Big Bill Broonzy, he became known for his raw, traditional blues style and powerful live performances. He began recording in the early 1960s and quickly earned respect for keeping classic blues traditions alive for new audiences.
Hammond released dozens of albums over his career and built a reputation as one of the genre’s most dedicated performers, frequently touring and performing solo with acoustic guitar and harmonica. His recordings blended Delta blues, Chicago blues and folk influences.
In 1983, Hammond won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Recording for his album Blues Explosion. He continued to record and perform well into his later years, becoming a revered figure in blues music.
McDevitt and Peggy Spoerri—ended in divorce. He later married Marla Farbstein in 1993.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son from his first marriage, Paul, a daughter from his second marriage, Amy Hammond, his brother Jason, and a stepsister, Rosita Sarnoff.
Beyond his recordings, Hammond was known for introducing younger generations to traditional blues and honoring the legacy of the genre’s early pioneers. His authenticity and deep respect for the music made him one of the most respected figures in modern blues.
