Greatest band I have ever heard featuring one of the greatest guitarists on earth showing mastery in Jazz Fusion, Eastern/Western Classical Music, Funk and Flamenco. Billy Cobham being one of the greatest drummers also shows mastery in Jazz Fusion and especially FUNK. Jan Hammer showing much talent in Jazz Fusion working with many others like Jeff Beck. Jean Luc-Ponty being one of the better violinists in Jazz showing mastery in Jazz Fusion and Western Classical Music. Also Rick Laird (not the best), but showing his skill with Jazz Fusion in "The Lost Trident Sessions".This Band was essentially the Miles Davis Big Band of Jazz Fusion leading many onto a successful journey through the genre.
John is definitely amazing though joining The Tony Williams lifetime in the 60's and making his album that is good to this day,"Extrapolation". Having been in Miles Davis' band, he was one of many, like Joe Zawinul, Billy Cobham, Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Larry Coryell, Chick Corea, and Bill Evans (Sax) who went on to pioneer in the jazz fusion movement.Also having formed the mahavishnu orchestra blending jazz, with Rock, Eastern/Western Classical Music and Funk.
Not to mention his band Shakti with Zakir Hussein. He also played with Larry Coryell, Paco de Lucia, and Al di Meola in the style of flamenco and classical music. Between the split of both of the original mahavishnu lineup and the formation of the second lineup he collaborated with artists like Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix.

Posted by Vince on Sunday, 06/2/2013 @ 05:57am

I saw the original MO everytime and set that they played in the SF Bay Area. One of the only bands that could leave you shaking your head in disbelief from the wonderous music you just experienced. Many bands of that era did not want to be on a bill with them because audiences responded so positively to their music. ELP stopped touring with them as a single example. Incredible musicianship from all the members. Especially outstanding were Mclaughlin and Billy Cobham on guitar and drums respectively. Cobham's drumming was so unique and powerful that he became a major influence on drummers in the 1970's and beyond. This is a band that needed to be seen live. The records are fine but it was live when audiences were left stunned.
MO will always be one of my all time favorite and personally influential ROCK bands. They should be in the RRHF. A major ommission by the nominating committee.

Posted by Phil on Wednesday, 05/5/2021 @ 13:39pm