Preserving the Legendary Sound of the Hammond B3 Through "Life On The B3 Bench"

This guide serves as the perfect companion to the YouTube series

For more than five decades, I have had the privilege of performing on the Hammond B3 organ alongside icons such as the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder on the renowned 1972 STP Rock & Roll Tour. Now, at 70, I’m creating the YouTube series Life On The B3 Bench — a 12-episode production dedicated to preserving the historical significance of this iconic instrument in American popular music since the early 1950s, while sharing practical lessons, techniques, and a masterclass to educate and inspire the next generation of musicians.With a career spanning more than five decades, my journey with the Hammond B3 began at a young age and evolved into a lifetime of musical exploration and performance. Beginning in 1972 at the age of 17, I had the opportunity to play alongside major artists including the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder on the acclaimed U.S. STP Rock & Roll Tour.Today, my focus is on preserving this rich musical heritage through my YouTube series Life On The B3 Bench. This 12-episode series blends personal storytelling, live music demonstrations, historical context across Gospel, R&B, Blues, Jazz, Pop, and Rock, and hands-on lessons — including the “Hammond Eggs” segments in the “Soul Kitchen,” where I share techniques on drawbar tones, sweeps, Leslie speaker settings, polychords, dynamics, and more.The series is designed to pass down the mentorship and knowledge that shaped my own path — knowledge that is becoming increasingly rare in today’s digital world.What You’ll Receive – Your Free Hammond B3 Legacy GuideIn appreciation of your interest in this preservation project, your Free Hammond B3 Legacy Guide includes:

  • A personal timeline highlighting the historical significance of the Hammond B3 in American popular music since the early 1950s

  • Exclusive anecdotes and reflections from my experiences on the 1972 STP Tour with the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder

  • Practical insights into drawbar tones, sweeps, Leslie speaker settings, jazzy polychords, color & dynamics, and other core techniques featured in the Life On The B3 Bench series

  • My perspective on building a life in music, paying it forward, and why preserving the B3’s legacy matters for future generations.

"As a lifelong musician, I’ve never had the luxury of building a 401(k) or retirement savings. We trade stability for passion, creating legacies through our art. So now, I’m channeling that passion into my YouTube series, Life On The B3 Bench, a heartfelt project to share Hammond B3 history, lessons, techniques, a masterclass, and my career experiences along the way, to encourage others to pursue their musical dreams.”
— Roger Wood

Roger Wood | Lavoy Jenkins Music
[email protected] | www.lavoyjenkinsmusic.com
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