Luther Rabb and Ronnie Hammon originally formed Ballin'jack in their hometown of Seattle, Washington in 1969. Getting encouragement and inspiration from the sudden success of their childhood friend Jimi Hendrix. they added Glenn Thomas on guitar and a compliment of horns including long time musicians like Jim Coile and Tim McFarland. They moved to Los Angeles, California where there are many stories of famous people visiting their big mansion home-studio near the Sunset Strip. BALLINJACK'S reputation was that live their shows were so good that fans were known to have left afterwards, and that some headliners had actually refused to have them again as an opening act. ( 1970 Billboard Magazine ) This didn't seem bother Jimi all too much...as he aksed his old school mates to come along with him on his 1970 "Cry Of Love" tour. During 1969-74 Ballin'jack headlined up and down the West Coast and went on nationwide US tours warming up for many legendary bands at famous venues like the Fillmore East and West and was on the bill of several large "Pop Festivals" of the era. They went as far as Japan with great reception.

BALLINJACK Music

Ballin'jack's studio recordings hold true as archives of some very cool and spiritually diverse music. Their songs have broad appeal, containing purely original beats, rich soulful melodies and plenty of good old-fashioned "Wah-Wah" guitar. In the years to come, many of their funky, yet organic sounds were re-discovered by live DJ's (who still spin LP records). In 1989, Young MC won a Grammy award for the hit single "Bust A Move" (VH1 Story) using a looped lick taken from the their song "Found A Child". Sampled by many since, the Hip-Hop movement found that... the grooves Ballinjack had originally laid down over 30 years ago… were in fact, original. Ballin'jack had released three studio and one live album before disbanding in 1974. Luther & Ronnie worked on solo projects and other music ventures as a bass and drum team and both had a long running gig as members of the WAR The Music Band.

Email & Fan Letter Archives

The limited edition Best Of Luther Rabb & Ballin'Jack CD and the upcoming 21st Century Tribute to Ballin'lack CD along with the eventual reissue of their original LP's from the1970's can finally share with this new millenium, the old vibrations, that their many loyal fans have always have kept close to their heart. Originally recorded on vinyl, their music was sweet and tasty when it was freshly made… but now, available on CD there will be many more helpings of terrific leftovers in the days to come. From Hendrix to Hip-Hop… fans get a plate. Ballin'jack may once again be the best thing to come around since sliced bread.

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