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Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris
The Graham Bond Organization - you can keep yer Beatles and Stones...this lot were one of THE best British groups of the sixties.
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Once again , Wynonie shows his excellent taste !
The Organisation (pun - Bond played the Organ) were practically unique in not having a lead or rhythm guitarist. Jack Bruce (yes, THAT Jack Bruce) performed all the plucking honours on his Fender Coronado Six-String Bass guitar , occasionally doubling on harmonica a-la-Dylan/Donovan but frequently getting frustrated with having his harp on a frame .
Bond was a visual and musical sensation. His first instrument was the saxophone, and he could play tenor or alto, but as fellow "Organisation" member Dick Heckstall-Smith (whom for years my wife thought was called "de Castro Smith") was one of the scene's finest alto players , so Graham played the tenor - switching to alto when he thought Dick wouldn't notice. But . . . . Bond played it with one hand while playing his Hammond M101 with the other ! Graham was a large bloke and was delighted when kaftans became popular ; a real fashion icon !
The drummer of this bizarre quartet was a legend. Always with a bottle of whisky by the side of his kit, he'd occasionally turn up late and ask to use the "other group's" (i.e. ours, on one occasion) kit. Our drummer, Noddy Greenwood , had just spent £400 on a new Ludwig outfit, but was so pleased that this genius wanted to use it that he okayed it. His face soon went white as Bond's drummer slackened off all the heads and caused massive damage during the performance . It sounded great , though !
The drummer was , of course , Ginger Baker.
We worked with The Organisation on several occasions. They were, indeed , the very best musicians I've shared a stage with .
Suggested Listening :
Wade In The Water (long before Ramsey Lewis's version).