Richard Hammond's Musical Milestones

Richard Hammond, a Birmingham-born television presenter, is renowned for his diverse taste in music. From an early age, Hammond's interaction with music was truly inventive when he attempted to build a toy record player using cardboard and a pin to play ‘Love Me Do’ by The Beatles — a track that marked his first encounter with music.

The Spark of Musical Collections

As a youth, Hammond's first album purchase was Adam And The Ants' ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’, a record he bought at Woolworths. The unique style and sound of the band left a lasting impression on him during his formative years in suburban Birmingham in 1980.

Experiencing Live Music Royalty

The presenter's first live music experience was attending a B.B. King concert at Leeds University in 1987. Having already been familiar with the local live music scene through his folk-singing parents and performing with his brothers, Hammond's first major concert with the blues legend was nothing short of dazzling.

Memories of Home and Musical Comfort

ZZ Top's 'La Grange' holds a special place in Hammond's heart as a tune that transports him back to his teenage years and memories of family trips. It encapsulates a time of youthful independence yet nestled in the comfort of being with family.

Current Earworm and Songs that Resonate

Currently, Hammond has been captivated by Black Grape’s ‘Pimp Wars’, a track he finds inescapable and brilliant, mentioning how artists like Shaun Ryder continually evolve and maintain their status as true artists.

Turning Away From Certain Melodies

There are also tunes that Hammond can no longer enjoy, like the classic ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’, which he no longer finds palatable due to its predatory undertones, conflicting with his personal views despite acknowledging it may sound overly sensitive.

Dances and Tear-Jerkers

The infectious groove of Wild Cherry's ‘Play That Funky Music’ inevitably leads to what Hammond describes as ‘dad dancing’, much to his own amusement and his daughters' chagrin. On a more sombre note, ‘Dido's Lament’ by Henry Purcell holds a poignant memory of playing it for his dying goldfish, showing the depth of his emotional connection to music.

A Final Note

Looking to the future, Hammond expresses his wish for J.J. Cale’s ‘Call Me The Breeze’ to be played at his funeral, a song that epitomizes his desire to be seen as a natural, content presence rather than the louder persona his career might suggest.

In reflecting his varied life through the lens of music, Richard Hammond’s choices offer a glimpse into his soul; from rock anthems and soulful blues to emotionally stirring operatic pieces. For Hammond, music has truly been the soundtrack of his life.

music, memory, life