The Graham Bond Organization came to prominence in the UK the mid 60’s- earning a reputation for playing aggressive R & B and jazz with improvisation.
Bond was the primary songwriter - with contributions from the other band members.
The main line up was Bond (vocals /organ/sax) , Jack Bruce (bass) , Ginger Baker (drums) ,Dick Heckstall-Smith (saxes) -with John McLaughlin (guitar) early in the bands career in 1963.
The band member names are familiar as future members of Cream and Mahavishnu Orchestra - who in turn would build on the pioneering improvisation of Graham Bond to psychedelic rock and jazz rock respectively.
Managed by Robert Stigwood and signing with Decca Records - the Graham Bond Organization made pioneering use of the Mellotron in 1965- over a year before the Beatles used it on “Strawberry Fields Forever” in 1967.
Playing the UK club circuit and Richmond-on-Thames Jazz and Blues Festival throughout 1965-66 - they recorded and released their debut album “The Sound of 65”.
The original line up imploded in 1966 with Ginger Baker's ongoing feud with Jack Bruce - as well as drug issues.
Graham Bond would later reunite in Ginger Bakers Airforce -as well as playing with Jack Bruce in the early 70’s.
Bond would suffer from mental disorders and intense depression not helped by his drug use.
Additionally he was becoming increasingly obsessed with the occult and black magic -believing himself to be philosopher and occultist Aleister Crowleys son.
Bond died in May 1974, when he was tragically hit by a train at London's Finsbury Park underground station.
I can still remember the news headline that soon became yesterdays news - as by 1974 Bond had slipped out of the spotlight.
His contribution is not really remembered these days either, when discussing mid 60’s R & B and jazz in the UK - however his influence was monumental.
Jon Lord of Deep Purple cited Bond as a major influence -with Lords distorted Hammond organ and improvisation, powering Deep Purple in the late 60’s and into the 70’s to worldwide acclaim.
Sometimes the musical pioneers are overshadowed by the styles and genres they pre-dated and Graham Bond is one such pioneer.
Go check out the magic of the Graham Bond Organization - as well as Graham Bond solo.
More info:
https://www.discogs.com/artist/1082937-The-Graham-Bond-Organization