The Resume

(December 15, 1910-July 10, 1987)
Born in New York City, New York
Critic, producer and talent scout
American correspondent for ‘Melody Maker’
Columnist for ‘Down Beat’
Executive at Columbia Records
Organized the ‘From Spirituals to Swing’ concerts at Carnegie Hall (1938-39)
Produced the last records of Bessie Smith
Played an important role in the early careers of Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen and Stevie Ray Vaughan

Why he might be annoying:

He was christened John Henry Hammond, Jr., even though both his father and grandfather had the same name, making him a ‘III’ instead of a ‘Jr.’
His first marriage broke up over his workaholic habits.
As a critic, he would enthusiastically review the albums he had produced.
He said the biggest mistake of his career was failing to sign Ella Fitzgerald after she won an amateur talent contest.

Why he might not be annoying:

He has been called the greatest talent scout in music history.
He paid for many jazz recording sessions out of his own pocket.
He convinced Benny Goodman to add black musicians to his band, including Teddy Wilson, Charlie Christian, and Lionel Hampton.
Pete Seeger said, ‘Jazz became integrated ten years before baseball largely because of John Hammond.’
He was a member of the first group of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986).

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 70]
• College Drop Outs
• I Attended Hotchkiss [Lakeville, Connecticut]
• I Attended Yale
• I Died in 1987 (Ranked: 86)
• I Had a Stroke [Cerebral Vascular Accident]
• I Performed at 'From Spirituals to Swing'
• Look at Me, I'm with Bob Dylan
• Music Critics
• People with John or Mary in their Names
• Profiles 45001-45250 (Ranked: 45115)
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Members (Ranked: 1986)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 18 Votes: 11.11% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 90.91% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying