John Hammel
-
Hello Everybody, I know John Hammel been with Paul for a long, long time and was wondering how he met Paul and how long he been taking care of Paul's instruments? Thanks, Have a great day, Tom
-
In the early days it was ian Horne and Trevor Jones who were roadies and general fixers for Wings. Then i think John Hammel joined them around 1975 for the UK tour so i reckon he's been with Paul for a good 35 years. As to how he came to be involved, i suppose he was recommended by someone of other.
-
Whatever happened to Trevor Jones? Is he still working for Paul?
-
I believe it was the 2nd night of the Fenway shows in the summer of '09 when Paul gave John H. a shout-out from the stage. Someone had a clever sign "Does John Hammels, Assistant, need an assistant?" and Paul read it and had a good chuckle. John happened to be on stage switching Paul's guitars, and John chuckled as well. That's when Paul introduced him to the audience and we gave him a big cheer. ) Once you know who John is, it's amazing how many photos you suddenly start seeing him in. He's almost always in the background of any event Paul goes to.
-
Kestrel:
In the early days it was ian Horne and Trevor Jones who were roadies and general fixers for Wings. Then i think John Hammel joined them around 1975 for the UK tour so i reckon he's been with Paul for a good 35 years. As to how he came to be involved, i suppose he was recommended by someone of other.
He got the job with Wings through Jimmy.
-
John worked for Humble Pie prior to working for Paul. I believe Trevor Jones passed away some years ago.
-
I think John Hammel is more than a "roadie", he's an employee, but it's likely that Paul considers him as a friend these days, I mean who else has been with him for the past 35 years? He was also a witness on Linda's will. I'd read during the Heather fiasco that while she insisted on having a lot of help, Paul met each morning with John Hammel to work out the program of the day. Would love to hear all the stories behind the tours and songs that he must know but that will probably never happen.
-
He's also chauffeur - posh suit at the wedding
Personal security - if you've been shoo'd off for loitering around a home of Paul it'd be most likely John. John also shot the out and about video's Paul released on Myesight around the time of the Memory Almost Full secret shows. All that besides shepherding Paul guitars around the world, setting them up and tuning them for each event. It might not be commonly known but guitars are not only tuned for each string but also for each venue - certain notes can resonate within a building and the guitar output has to be modified to stop a particular note from resonating (ie sounding at a much louder volume than other notes) John can often be seen with each guitar stood in front of the panel that ensures that doesn't happen, running through scales checking the output volumes and making adjustments accordingly. Martin -
I just asked myself when I saw John Hammel in Milan if he actually has his own life and family or if he is only living for another man´s life (for Paul´s).
-
When you know who he is you see him EVERYWHERE!
Look at he photo's section on the new site. If he's not in the shot its self, he's prob behind the camera -
SandraH:
I just asked myself when I saw John Hammel in Milan if he actually has his own life and family or if he is only living for another man´s life (for Paul´s).
Was wondering about that too, a bit like Anthony Hopkins in "The Remains of the Day" ? Different times so probably not and he doesn't live "on location" since the article on Linda's will I found this morning mentioned he lived in a nearby village. In any case, what a life being the right hand man of a living legend!
-
SandraH:
I just asked myself when I saw John Hammel in Milan if he actually has his own life and family or if he is only living for another man´s life (for Paul´s).
I've wondered that also. The day I got lucky at Paul's house, John was driving the car. No, he didn't shoo me away.
-
I suspect John Hammel is married. He was with a woman at McCartney's 2006 Ecce Cor Meum show at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
-
He seems a genuinely nice guy from what I've read about him
Wish I had his job! Well, his or Rustys -
He seemed quite nice the first time I spoke to him but he didn't remember me in 2006 and at that time was very protective of Paul, understandably. I'm glad Paul has such a loyal employee-companion.
-
ha! I hav a story bout Mr Hammel.... Paris 2004- when i went in search for Paul & the band.. ran into him in the square where Paul n the guys were staying.. he was smoking a ciggy n I asked if he could take an email from Sam Leach to Paul n Geoff Baker...
ops: But. I came from the United States! I told him- lol he read the email - there was conversation... he sad he couldn't accept it!!! I was fucking crushed.. wrote a long blog post about it.. I should post link.. of course my new 35 mm camera wouldn't work either as they had the Linda exhibit on display.. I was pissed - I was teary- I was so disappointed!!!! ops: ops: ops: 
I was sure as hell he'd take that email m pass it on to Paul n Geoff lol I' ll find that link n post it! Mark Hamilton on the other hand, has always been quite friendly and sweet... as he gave me one of Brian Ray's guitar picks thrown in the pit for me.. put it in my hand and smiled -- I'll never forget that -- another long story there ... Thank you Mark... 
Paris 04 It Rawked part 2 http://harleyblues2007.blogspot.com/2007/10/paul-mccartney-paris-04-it-rawked-part.html -
Darth_McCartney:
He seems a genuinely nice guy from what I've read about him
Wish I had his job! Well, his or Rustys He really is a nice guy! I met him in 2005 by the stage just before the show. I said "hey John, can I have your autograph?" And he kindly replied aw, I'm not the one who does the autographs
... he was very nice and polite. i I too have often wondered if he gets his own time because he's seen with Paul SO much!! I'm sure he does get a break, but you can't help but wonder! -
would be great to hear some of John's stories of such close, longstanding association
-
I was staying at the Westin in memphis and road the elevator with him, shook hands and talked to him..he seemed very genuine and kind.
-
