{"id":456476,"date":"2026-03-04T04:32:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T04:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/456476\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T04:32:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T04:32:10","slug":"grammy-winning-music-legend-dies-aged-83-as-tributes-pour-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/456476\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammy winning music legend dies aged 83 as tributes pour in"},"content":{"rendered":"

Grammy-winning blues legend John Hammond has died aged 83, with fellow musician Paul Smith confirming the devastating news in a heartbreaking Facebook post<\/p>\n

19:57, 03 Mar 2026Updated 20:23, 03 Mar 2026<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

The Grammy Award-winning music star has died aged 83(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

Legendary blues artist<\/a> 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<\/a> on 1 March.<\/p>\n

In an emotional tribute, Smith wrote: “The blues world<\/a> has lost a giant. I’ve lost my best friend. My heart goes out to Marla and the family<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

“He was such an inspiration to me, I’ll miss him terribly.” Smith revealed that Hammond’s wife, Marla<\/a>, whom he married in 2003, had informed him of the sad news, though an official cause of death is yet to be revealed..<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Neil Sedaka dead: Legendary singer’s family issue statement after mystery illness<\/a>READ MORE: Bob Power dead: Music icon dies aged 74 as stars pay tribute<\/a>\"John<\/p>\n

John was a musician for more than 50 years(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

The musician proceeded to share numerous photographs capturing cherished memories with Hammond over the decades, honouring their enduring friendship.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"John<\/p>\n

The music star had a career spanning more than 50 years and released 30 albums (Image: Redferns)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

He was also recognised as John Paul Hammond, being the son of legendary Columbia Records A&R executive and record producer John Henry Hammond.<\/p>\n

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