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John Hammel

Last updated on March 6, 2020

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ONE of the nicest people at MPL is hard-working Road Manager, 28-year-old John Hammel. Born and raised in the East End of London, John left school and went to work first in a hardware shop and later for British Leyland, as a fork-lift driver. It was while working as a van driver for the brewery firm Watney Mann that he first came into contact with the music business, as he moved equipment in the evenings with his van for a band called The Knack (later called The Gun).

He left Watneys to work with the band full time, doing major tour work in the U.K. and Europe until 1969. Then he joined Humble Pie, with whom he toured extensively, doing as many as six tours a year with them from 1970-1974 in the U.S., Japan and Europe. When PA systems got vastly bigger in about 1970, crews began to get more specialised, and John became an expert with guitars. Although never a budding musician, John has always loved guitars, and knows a vast amount about them technically.

John joined Wings in 1975, covering the world tour with them. The most equipment they moved for one concert was for the huge Seattle concert (before 67,000 people), when they used seven 40 ft. ‘semi’ trucks, and 24 ft. ‘bob-tails’ with the special rigging for the lighting and PA systems which were suspended in the air. His comment on the job: “Damn hard work!”

From Club Sandwich N°3, June / July 1977
From Meet The Beatles For Real blog – Ringo, Barb, Paul and Nancy all were at John Hammel’s wedding. If you remember, John worked for Paul for a VERY long time. He was the guy that would get Paul his different guitars during concerts.

Albums, EPs & singles which John Hammel contributed to

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Ann Palmer • 2 years ago

New content... Involve young people. Get youngsters in school to put their own eco-lyrics to favourite song-tunes. It's worked for me for 90 EcoSongs. All my EcoSongs consist of celebratory, uplifting, healing, empowering eco-lyrics set to famous out-of-copyright song-tunes, anthems, carols and hymns. 63 are recorded by various artists from both sides of the Atlantic, children's choirs to professional musicians. This kind of initiative includes the earth in the love-circle. As well as being great fun to do!!

This is a well-developed project over a ten year period. It needs someone with a lot of profile to take it to the next level in western culture. Might Paul McCartney be interested in fronting it? With very fond memories of Mull of Kintyre... a brilliant song.

Judy Anstess • 1 year ago

Just watching some of the rock bands I used to hang with, while working for BILL GRAHAM PRESENTS, in San Francisco during the 70s. Bill was one of the most renowned, CONCERT PROMOTERS in the world.. What a job, at 21years old, huh? Not many famous bands I never worked with. Anyway, I just found the photo of JOHN HAMMEL (Paul McCartney's previous GUITAR TECHS) for many years. I knew John when he was STEVE MARRIOT'S Roadie at that time. John and I were only friends, but we stayed in touch for a few years, Then I got married, and moved to Florida, and never heard from John after that. While living in Miami, HUMBLE PIE was doing a gig, and I went, mostly to see if John was still working as Steve Marriot's Roadie..He was and I found him Back Stage. Really great seeing him again, after about 10 years. John said the band was on their way to Hawaii, and ask if I wanted to join them..Sure wish I did, but I was still married with a young son. So just going to Hawaii was definitely not in the cards. Unfortunately, that was the last time I saw John. After Steve Marriot died in a fire, John went to work with Paul McCartney. Well since he was Paul's GUITAR TECH, for many years, until John retired, I would say he has had a darn good life. He was one of the nicest people that I met, while working for Bill Graham, in San Francisco..I see John finally got married. She is beautiful and he deserves to be happy..It sure would be great hearing from John, but I doubt that will ever happen. Gabe he will read this, right? If so, HELLO THERE JOHN...Living in the 70s was one great adventure, huh...Best wishes John...Judy

The PaulMcCartney Project • 1 year ago

Hi Judy, WOW, what great memories, thanks for sharing with us!

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