Grammy-winning blues legend John Hammond has died aged 83, with fellow musician Paul Smith confirming the devastating news in a heartbreaking Facebook post
19:57, 03 Mar 2026Updated 20:23, 03 Mar 2026
The Grammy Award-winning music star has died aged 83(Image: Getty)
Legendary blues artist John Hammond has passed away at the age of 83, according to a heartfelt confirmation from a fellow musician. Toronto-based blues performer Paul Smith, a close friend and long-time musical partner of Hammond’s, broke the devastating news via Facebook on 1 March.
In an emotional tribute, Smith 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. I’ve just been going through the photos we’ve shared over the years – from the Horseshoe Tavern to Albert’s Hall in Toronto, from London to Montreal, to Edmonton to Ottawa – and each picture tells a story of great music, great people, and unforgettable nights.
“He was such an inspiration to me, I’ll miss him terribly.” Smith revealed that Hammond’s wife, Marla, whom he married in 2003, had informed him of the sad news, though an official cause of death is yet to be revealed..
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John was a musician for more than 50 years(Image: Getty)
The musician proceeded to share numerous photographs capturing cherished memories with Hammond over the decades, honouring their enduring friendship.
George Thorogood, frontman of the Destroyers, also honoured Hammond’s remarkable contribution to music, stating: “For more than 50 years, John Hammond Jr. was an icon, a professional role model and, most importantly, a friend. Whilst we mourn his passing, we celebrate what the man and his music meant to us, and to so many.””, reports the Express.
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The music star had a career spanning more than 50 years and released 30 albums (Image: Redferns)
Throughout his illustrious career, Hammond produced more than 30 albums and secured a Grammy Award in 1985 for his contribution to Blues Explosion, a compilation album recorded at Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival in 1982.
Throughout his career, he racked up numerous Grammy nominations for his musical contributions, including his 2009 release, Rough & Tough, which earned a nod for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Additional Grammy recognition came his way for You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover (1993), Trouble No More (1994), Found True Love (1996), Long As I Have You (1998), and In Your Arms Again (1995).
He was also recognised as John Paul Hammond, being the son of legendary Columbia Records A&R executive and record producer John Henry Hammond.
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