Hammer

The Bay Area groove-rock combo Hammer featured vocalist John DeRoberts, guitarist Jack O'Brien, bassist Richie McBride, keyboardist Norman Landsberg, and drummer John Guerin. The ensemble formed in 1969 and soon landed a deal with promoter Bill Graham's fledgling San Francisco Records imprint. Its self-titled debut LP arrived in 1970 and was bolstered by multiple prominent opening slots at Graham's Fillmore venues. Strong critical notices failed to translate into meaningful commercial traction, however, and although the band completed a second album the project stayed unreleased, prompting the group's dissolution. Landsberg later collaborated with the Pointer Sisters, while Guerin helped launch the pioneering fusion unit L.A. Express; as a prolific session drummer he also contributed to Joni Mitchell's seminal Court and Spark and The Hissing of Summer Lawns sessions.