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I do lots of Facebook and I don't believe there is a Facebook for Hammonds. That is not exactly what my goal is in forming our GROUPS list here. I wanted a documentary site where we all can share articles, stories, and especially important files so they never get lost. That is where our FILES section comes into play. Things like Manuals for various Hammond models would be great. Photos of the various models indicating what makes them different would be good.

I see so many times a Hammond tossed to the curb in terrible condition or even parts. It is a crying shame.?

I still have the Hammond Model C3 (Church) model that my father purchased in 1958 with its beautiful wood finish. He always insisted no Jeans with rivets or belt buckles that might scratch the organ.

Our Hammond history began in 1955 when he brought home a Hammond M3 Spinet from Southern California Music Company in San Diego. It came with ten free lessons and he offered them to me. I had always loved watching Lawrence Welk on TV and wanted to play the accordion like Myron Floren did. I started lessons from Miss Vivian Katherine Brown, a famous pianist. After the ten lessons I continued with lessons when my father got Naval orders to Hawaii. The Navy transported our Spinet and I began lessons again with Betty Colburn who played at the famous Pearl City Tavern in Pearl City, Hawaii. She would often allow me to play on the C3 while she took a break when my family would dine there. That gave me some great experience in playing in public. I was awarded an honorary member of the Hammond Organ Society in 1957.

When my father got orders back to San Diego again, he had weight restrictions that apparently were more strict than our prior shipment. I had to get rid of one of my bicycles for the cause. I had outgrown the M3 Spinet and Betty recommended I progress into a larger organ. My father made a deal with the Hammond dealer in Honolulu. We would trade in the Spinet in Honolulu and take possession of a new C3 in San Diego. Time again for a new teacher.

I was blessed to study under Walt James Slocomb. Known as "Walt James", he performed for many years on the organ. Walt played and taught current music instead of the classical (Bach, Beethoven) that Vivian Brown taught. He actually visited me at an organ bar called Stan's Chula Room in Chula Vista (CA) where I began my professional career as an entertainer. He was a great teacher and I am honored.

About three years went by and I found myself laid off. It was a time for change for the owner (Stan Vance). I began playing at The Chateau in San Diego. This was an upscale organ bar whereby the organ was situated on a circular platform which I could control turning toward a patron in he circular bar or continue circulating so all would see the organ keys or my face. I don't sing and this probably hurt my career as a performer but I was a serious organist and not really a singer. I played there for a couple years.

Viet Nam was in full force and I found myself joining the Navy. I was stationed on submarines so not much chance for an organ on a sub. When I did my four years in New London, CT I returned to my home town San Diego. Years gone by I had purchased a Sears organ. At the time that was all I could afford and had room for in my single-wide mobile home.?Over the years I purchased my own home and acquired my father's C3 upon his death. I picked up two Spinets. One was in great shape and I still have it. The other I gave away to a niece. One day I was walking past a music store and there was a Hammond speaker (tone) cabinet bracing the front door open. I said to the wife "wait, I want to peek inside." I did and was introduced to my self-contained Yamaha FX20 3-manual organ. It has so many bells and whistles I still have not mastered all of them. It plays in stereo and has its own accompaniment rhythm section. I absolutely love this organ - maybe even more than the Hammond.

In my organ room (photo attached) I have one Hammond C3 with two JR20 and one PR40 tone cabinets, a Hammond M3 Spinet with external floor speaker and even a music rack speaker, a Wurlitzer "Side Man", and of course my Yamaha FX20.

So my next question is who knows what a Wurlitzer Side Man is. Here's a hint. (https://www.synthmuseum.com/wurl/wursideman01.html)

Ed