Mahavishnu Orchestra

{{Short description|American jazz fusion band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = Mahavishnu Orchestra | image = Between Nothingness and Eternity trade advert 1973 cropped.png | landscape = yes | caption = The original line-up on stage in 1973. Left to right: Jerry Goodman, Jan Hammer, John McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Rick Laird | background = group_or_band | origin = New York City, U.S. | genre = {{startflatlist}} * Jazz fusion * progressive rock * {{nowrap|world jazz}} {{endflatlist}} | years_active = {{hlist|1971–1976|1984–1987}} | label = Columbia | associated_acts = {{hlist|Shakti|The One Truth Band|The Translators|The John McLaughlin Guitar Trio|Schon & Hammer|Journey}} | past_members = John McLaughlin Billy Cobham Jan Hammer Jerry Goodman Rick Laird Ralphe Armstrong Narada Michael Walden Gayle Moran Jean-Luc Ponty Stu Goldberg Bill Evans Jonas Hellborg Mitchel Forman Danny Gottlieb Jim Beard }}

The '''Mahavishnu Orchestra''' was a jazz fusion band formed in New York City in 1971, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=Virgin Books|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=787}}</ref> The group underwent several line-up changes throughout its history across its two periods of activity, from 1971 to 1976 and from 1984 to 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mahavishnu-orchestra-mn0000233862|title=Mahavishnu Orchestra – Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> With its first line-up consisting of McLaughlin, Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman, and Rick Laird, the band received its initial acclaim for its complex, intense music consisting of a blend of Indian classical music, jazz, and psychedelic rock as well as its dynamic live performances between 1971 and 1973.<ref name = "harvardcrimson">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Roger L. |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1972/2/11/rock-and-schlock-pbtbhey-came-as/ |title=Rock and Schlock |work=The Harvard Crimson |publisher=The Harvard Crimson Inc |date=1972-02-11 |access-date=2019-02-22 |quote=McLaughlin has chosen to work toward a musical intensity that aims inward rather than outward. There is never a wasted note, yet the improvisation by each member of the group is always present, always building and directing the music. }}</ref><ref name = "newyorktimes1">{{cite news |last=Heckman |first=Don |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/07/archives/jazz-mahavishnu-a-trip-into-rock.html |title=Jazz: Mahavishnu – A Trip Into Rock |work=The New York Times |date=1972-07-07 |access-date=2019-02-22 |quote=...the Mahavishnu ensemble has gradually developed a form of jazz that dips into rock, blues, Indian music, “classical music” and electronics for source material, stylistic elements and aesthetic energy. }}</ref> Many members of the band have gone on to acclaimed careers of their own in the jazz and jazz fusion genres.

== History == === 1971–1974: First incarnation === By mid-1971, McLaughlin had been a member of Miles Davis' band and Tony Williams' Lifetime, and released three solo albums. He then set about forming his own jazz fusion group, the first line-up of which featured Panamanian drummer Billy Cobham, Irish bassist Rick Laird, Czech keyboardist Jan Hammer, and American violinist Jerry Goodman.<ref name=CD11-73/> Cobham and Goodman had played on McLaughlin's third solo album ''My Goal's Beyond'' (1971). McLaughlin's first choice for violinist was Frenchman Jean-Luc Ponty, but he was unable to join due to immigration problems. After listening to various albums he hired Goodman, formerly of The Flock. Though American bassist Tony Levin was the first person McLaughlin wanted,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hit-channel.com/john-mclaughlin-solomahavishnu-orchestramiles-davis/18283|title=Interview:John McLaughlin (solo, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis) – Hit Channel|last=thodoris|date=8 October 2012|website=Hit-channel.com|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hit-channel.com/tony-levin-stick-menking-crimsonpeter-gabrieljohn-lennon/34535|title=Interview:Tony Levin (Stick Men, King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, John Lennon) – Hit Channel|last=thodoris|date=21 February 2013|website=Hit-channel.com|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> Laird had known McLaughlin for several years and accepted the invitation. Hammer was found through a mutual friendship with Miroslav Vitouš of the jazz fusion group Weather Report.<ref name=CD11-73>{{cite journal|url=http://www.italway.it/morrone/jml-crawdaddy.htm|title=John McLaughlin & The Mahavishnu Orchestra: Two Sides to Every Satori|journal=Crawdaddy|first2=Patrick|last2=Snyder-Scumpy|first1=Frank |last1=DeLigio|date=November 1973|access-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208221016/http://www.italway.it/morrone/jml-crawdaddy.htm |archive-date=8 December 2012}}</ref> The group's name originates from Indian spiritual leader and guru Sri Chinmoy, of whom McLaughlin had become a follower, who gave him the name Mahavishnu, "Maha" meaning "great" in Sanskrit and "vishnu" after the Hindu deity Vishnu.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Shteamer|first=Hank|date=26 October 2017|title=John McLaughlin on His Final U.S. Tour, Revisiting Mahavishnu Orchestra|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/john-mclaughlin-on-his-final-u-s-tour-revisiting-mahavishnu-orchestra-117259/|access-date=26 December 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

With the line-up secured, the five met in New York City in July 1971 and rehearsed for one week. They adopted an instrumental fusion sound characterised by electric rock, funk, complex time signatures, and arrangements influenced by McLaughlin's interest in Indian classical music. Their debut gigs followed at the Gaslight at the Au Go Go as the opening act for bluesman John Lee Hooker.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitar-channel.com/rich_murray/mahavishnu-orchestra-40th-anniversary.html|title=Exclusive: After 40 Years, The Mahavishnu Orchestra Looks Back|website=The Guitar Channel|first=Walter |last=Kolosky|date=7 November 2011}}</ref> McLaughlin recalled: "The first set was shaky but the second set just took off and every night it was great. They wanted to hold us over and a few days after the second week ... we went into the studio".<ref name="crawdaddy1973">{{cite journal|url=http://www.italway.it/morrone/jml-crawdaddy.htm |title=John McLaughlin & The Mahavishnu Orchestra: Two Sides to Every Satori |journal=Crawdaddy |first2=Patrick |last2=Snyder-Scumpy |first1=Frank |last1=DeLigio |date=November 1973 |access-date=16 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208221016/http://www.italway.it/morrone/jml-crawdaddy.htm |archive-date=8 December 2012 }}</ref> McLaughlin secured a record deal with Columbia Records, giving the green light to record an album.

thumb|left|upright|McLaughlin in 1973 performing with the band ''The Inner Mounting Flame'' was released in November 1971, peaking at No. 11 on the ''Billboard'' Jazz Albums and No. 89 on the ''Billboard'' 200. This was followed by ''Birds of Fire'' (1973) which peaked at No. 15 on the ''Billboard 200''. Due to the pressures of sudden fame, exhaustion and a lack of communication, the original band began to tire. The stress was further exacerbated by problematic recording sessions in June 1973 at London's Trident Studios that found some of the players not speaking to others. Their project was never fully completed. Cobham was disappointed and felt that the group "were knocking on the door of something really new. Something unique, something that had never been done before in rock and roll."<ref name=MM0274>{{cite web|url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/mahavishnu-orchestra-cobham--it-ended-in-total-fiasco|title=Mahavishnu Orchestra: Cobham — it ended in total fiasco|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=2 February 1974|work=Melody Maker|via=Rock's Backpages|access-date=27 December 2020}}</ref> This was followed by the release of their first live album ''Between Nothingness & Eternity'', which featured material from the Trident sessions.<ref name="Larkin"/>

Later in 1973, Hammer and Goodman expressed their frustrations about McLaughlin's leadership in an interview for ''Crawdaddy'' magazine. An attempt was made to improve group relations by having each member introduced as they walked on stage, and tunes by Hammer, Laird, and Goodman mixed into the live set.<ref name=CD11-73/> It was not enough, however, and the five played their final gig on December 30.<ref name=MM0174>{{cite web|url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/john-mclaughlin-it-was-natural-evolution|title=John McLaughlin: It Was Natural Evolution|first=Chris|last=Charlesworth|work=Melody Maker|date=2 February 1974|via=Rock's Backpages|access-date=26 December 2020}}</ref> According to Laird, the band did not say goodbye to each other afterward.<ref name=RS74>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/rick-laird-why-mahavishnu-is-breaking-up|title=Rick Laird: Why Mahavishnu is Breaking Up|first=Loraine|last=Alterman|date=28 February 1974|magazine=Rolling Stone|via=Rock's Backpages|access-date=27 December 2020}}</ref> In January 1974, McLaughlin split the group.<ref name=MM0174/> Laird spoke about the group weeks later, claiming that despite McLaughlin's having composed most of the group's tunes, the rest of the band contributed "a great deal" and did not receive credit. He was also critical of Cobham's claim that the group had rejected his musical ideas, and that Hammer, Goodman, and Laird pushed to have their songs performed because of "an ego trip".<ref name=RS74/>

=== 1974–1976: Second incarnation === After the original group dissolved, it reformed in 1974 with a new cast of musicians behind McLaughlin: Jean-Luc Ponty (who had performed with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention) on violin, Gayle Moran on keyboards, Ralphe Armstrong on bass, and Narada Michael Walden on percussion, Steve Kindler and Carol Shive on violin, Marcia Westbrook on viola, Phil Hirschi on cello, Steve Frankevich, Premik Russell Tubbs on alto, tenor and soprano saxophones, and Bob Knapp on brass.<ref name="Larkin"/> This "new" Mahavishnu Orchestra (which McLaughlin has reportedly called the "real" Mahavishnu Orchestra) changed personnel slightly between 1974's ''Apocalypse'' and ''Visions of the Emerald Beyond'' in 1975. ''Apocalypse'' was recorded in London with the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, with George Martin producing and Geoff Emerick engineering the sessions.<ref name="Larkin"/> The band was then reduced to a four-piece for 1976's ''Inner Worlds'', with Jean-Luc Ponty leaving after a heated disagreement about writing credits on the ''Visions'' album (one of Ponty's compositions, Pegasus, was mistakenly credited to John McLaughlin),<ref>{{Cite journal |year=1975 |orig-date=June 5 |title=Ponty Splits Orchestra |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/DownBeat/70s/75/DB%201975-06-05.pdf |journal=DownBeat |language=EN |pages=8 |via=Worldradiohistory}}</ref> and Gayle Moran being replaced with Stu Goldberg. Ponty would later settle over the royalties for the tracks ''Pegasus'' and ''Opus 1'' for an undisclosed amount of money.

=== 1984–1987: Third incarnation === After the dissolution of this version of the Orchestra, McLaughlin formed another group called Shakti to explore his interest in Indian music;<ref name="Larkin"/> following that, he went on to form other bands including the One Truth Band and the Translators, and a guitar trio with Al Di Meola and flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía.

In 1984, McLaughlin reformed the Mahavishnu Orchestra with Bill Evans on saxophones, Jonas Hellborg on bass, Mitchel Forman on keyboards, and original member Billy Cobham on drums. Cobham participated in the sessions for their self-titled 1984 album, but was replaced by Danny Gottlieb for live work, and Jim Beard replaced Mitchel Forman for the latter period of this band's life. This band's overall sound was different from the original Mahavishnu Orchestra, in particular because of McLaughlin's extensive use of the Synclavier synthesizer system.

=== Post-Mahavishnu Orchestra === McLaughlin then worked with a number of incarnations of the John McLaughlin Guitar Trio, all of which featured Trilok Gurtu on percussion, and, at various times, Jeff Berlin, Kai Eckhardt, and Dominique Di Piazza on bass. He then formed the Free Spirits, a guitar, organ and drums trio, with Joey DeFrancesco on Hammond organ and trumpet, and Dennis Chambers on drums, as well as touring and recording again with Al Di Meola and Paco de Lucía.

Billy Cobham went on to perform as a solo artist, recording many albums including ''Total Eclipse'', ''Crosswinds'' and ''Spectrum'', and toured with the "Billy Cobham & George Duke Band" for many years. Jan Hammer went on to collaborate with Jeff Beck (together with Narada Michael Walden) in Beck's acclaimed album ''Wired'' and also recorded a live album with Beck. He released several solo albums and composed the theme and incidental music for the hit 1980s TV show ''Miami Vice''. Jerry Goodman recorded the album ''Like Children'' with Mahavishnu keyboard alumnus Jan Hammer. Starting in 1985 he recorded three solo albums for Private Music and went on tour with his own band, as well as with Shadowfax and the Dixie Dregs. Rick Laird played with Stan Getz and Chick Corea as well as releasing one solo LP, ''Soft Focus'', but retired from the music business in 1982. He worked both as a bass teacher and photographer since then. He died on July 4, 2021, at the age of 80.

== Legacy == Mahavishnu Orchestra has been cited as an influence on many bands of different genres. Greg Ginn, guitarist and main composer of hardcore punk band Black Flag, cited their early records which inspired him to record more progressive guitar work and even record instrumental albums.<ref>{{cite web | access-date = 17 March 2017 | website = HeavyMetalBebop.com | url = http://heavymetalbebop.com/post/41782901627/9-greg-ginn | title = #9: GREG GINN | date = July 2012 | location = Manhattan, New York City | first = Hank | last = Shteamer }}</ref> There has been a resurgence of interest in the Mahavishnu Orchestra in recent years, with bands like The Mars Volta,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Klein|first=Joshua|date=2005-05-18|title=More than prog or fusion|work=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-05-18-0505180305-story.html|access-date=2010-06-10}}</ref> Opeth,<ref>{{cite web | access-date = 14 March 2017 | url = http://iheartguitarblog.com/2011/09/interview-opeths-mikael-akerfeldt.html#sthash.1X24RQum.gWTQ5PJp.dpbs | title = INTERVIEW: Opeth's Mikael Åkerfeldt | publication-date = 16 September 2011 | first = Peter | last = Hodgson | quote = ''Q'': There’s an obvious fusion feel to a lot of the material on ''Heritage''. Where did that come from? ''Mikael Åkerfeldt'': [...] the fusion aspect comes from Mahavishnu Orchestra [...] | website = iheartguitarblog.com | archive-date = October 15, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111015124028/http://iheartguitarblog.com/2011/09/interview-opeths-mikael-akerfeldt.html#sthash.1X24RQum.gWTQ5PJp.dpbs | url-status = dead }}</ref> Black Midi,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theface.com/music/black-midis-morgan-simpson-picks-his-favourite-drummers|title=Black Midi's drummer Morgan Simpson picks his favourite players|date=Apr 17, 2019|website=Theface.com|access-date=August 14, 2024}}</ref>The Fierce and the Dead,<ref>{{cite web |title=Music Radar - The Fierce & The Dead's Matt Stevens picks 10 essential prog-rock albums|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/the-fierce-the-deads-matt-stevens-picks-10-essential-prog-rock-albums-626212 |date=11 August 2015 |access-date=18 April 2025}}</ref> and the Dillinger Escape Plan,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rocking.gr/interviews/The-Dillinger-Escape-Plan-interview/18163 | access-date = 14 March 2017 | website = Rocking.gr | title = The Dillinger Escape Plan interview | publication-date = 25 November 2013 | date = 5 November 2013 | first = Jason | last = Tsimplakos | location = Glasgow, Scotland }}</ref> naming them as an influence. Jon Fishman, drummer for Phish, has also cited them as an influence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baron |first1=Josh |title=Hooking Up With Fishman |url=https://relix.com/articles/detail/hooking-up-with-fishman1/ |website=Relix |date=15 June 2010 |publisher=Relix Media Group |access-date=30 November 2020}}</ref> There have been no fewer than five major tribute recordings released. In addition, a book ''Power, Passion and Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra'' by Walter Kolosky (AbstractLogix Books) has been published. It contains interviews with all of the band's members and quotes obtained specifically for the book from many famous admirers such as Jeff Beck, Pat Metheny, the artist Peter Max, Bill Bruford and many more. The Mahavishnu Orchestra have also been sampled in contemporary music, most notably by Massive Attack on their track "Unfinished Sympathy", which sampled "Planetary Citizen", resulting in the band's being sued by Ralphe Armstrong, who received a healthy out-of-court settlement.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kolosky|first=Walter|title=Mahavishnu Orchestra – Planetary Citizen|url=http://www.jazz.com/music/2009/3/11/mahavishnu-orchestra-planetary-citizen|publisher=JAZZ.COM|access-date=8 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518012935/http://www.jazz.com/music/2009/3/11/mahavishnu-orchestra-planetary-citizen|archive-date=18 May 2013}}</ref> "You Know, You Know" was sampled on Massive Attack's "One Love" and Mos Def's "Kalifornia."

==Band members== {| class="wikitable" border="1" ! width="75" |Image ! width="150" |Name ! width="160" |Years active ! width="170" |Instruments !Release contributions |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=John_McLaughlin_Blue_Note_2016.JPG|bSize=190|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=60|oLeft=35}} |John McLaughlin |{{Hlist|1971–1976|1984–1987}} |{{Hlist|guitar|vocals}} |all releases |- |{{CSS image crop |Image=Cobham-Wölpl-Schmid Billy Cobham Unterfahrt-2013-02-28-012.jpg |bSize=200 |cWidth=75 |cHeight=75 |oTop=18 |oLeft=50 }} |Billy Cobham |{{Hlist|1971–1973|1984}} |drums |{{flatlist| * ''The Inner Mounting Flame'' (1971) * ''Birds of Fire'' (1973) * ''Between Nothingness & Eternity'' (1973) * ''Mahavishnu'' (1984) * ''The Lost Trident Sessions'' (1999) * ''Unreleased Tracks from Between Nothingness & Eternity'' (2011)}} |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Jerry_Goodman_in_London_1970_(rule_of_thirds_crop).jpg|bSize=450|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=95|oLeft=110}} |Jerry Goodman | rowspan="2" |1971–1973 |violin | rowspan="3" |{{flatlist| * ''The Inner Mounting Flame'' (1971) * ''Birds of Fire'' (1973) * ''Between Nothingness & Eternity'' (1973) * ''The Lost Trident Sessions'' (1999) * ''Unreleased Tracks from Between Nothingness & Eternity'' (2011)}} |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Jan_Hammer_2_-_1977.jpg|bSize=825|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=1000|oLeft=630}} |Jan Hammer |keyboards |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Rick_Laird_1973_(cropped).png|bSize=130|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=35|oLeft=20}} |Rick Laird |1971–1973 {{Small|(died 2021)}} |bass guitar |- | |Ralphe Armstrong | rowspan="2" |1974–1976 |{{Hlist|bass guitar|vocals}} | rowspan="3" |{{flatlist|* ''Apocalypse'' (1974) * ''Visions of the Emerald Beyond'' (1975) * ''Inner Worlds'' (1976)}} |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Jeff_Beck_2011_3.jpg|bSize=850|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=372|oLeft=417}} |Narada Michael Walden |{{Hlist|drums|percussion|vocals|keyboards}} |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Jean-Luc_Ponty_2008_by_Guillaume_Laurent.jpg|bSize=300|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=30|oLeft=70}} |Jean-Luc Ponty | rowspan="2" |1974–1975 |{{Hlist|violin|vocals}} |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Gayle_Moran,_Blue_Note_Jazz_Club,_New_York_City,_10_December_2016.jpg|bSize=300|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=30|oLeft=100}} |Gayle Moran | rowspan="2" |{{Hlist|keyboards|vocals}} |{{flatlist| * ''Apocalypse'' (1974) * ''Visions of the Emerald Beyond'' (1975)}} |- | |Stu Goldberg |1975–1976 |''Inner Worlds'' (1976) |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Bill_Evans_(saxophonist)_2004-07-24.jpg|bSize=425|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=130|oLeft=165}} |Bill Evans | rowspan="2" |1984–1987 |{{Hlist|saxophone|keyboards}} | rowspan="4" |{{flatlist| * ''Mahavishnu'' (1984) * ''Adventures in Radioland'' (1987)}} |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Jonas_Hellborg.jpg_in_large_format.tif|bSize=75|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=5|oLeft=0}} |Jonas Hellborg |bass guitar |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=MitchelForman-1.jpg|bSize=300|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=30|oLeft=58}} |Mitchel Forman |1984–1986 |keyboards |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Hammering_the_Skins_(3788414593).jpg|bSize=900|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=175|oLeft=492}} |Danny Gottlieb |1985–1986 |{{Hlist|drums|percussion}} |- |{{CSS image crop|Image=Steely Dan With The Doobie Brothers - The O2 - Sunday 29th October 2017 SteelyDanO2291017-12 (38016673842).jpg|bSize=1500|cWidth=75|cHeight=75|oTop=55|oLeft=185}} |Jim Beard |1987 {{small|(died 2024)}} |keyboards |none |}

===Timeline=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:550 PlotArea = left:125 bottom:120 top:0 right:50 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1971 till:01/01/1988 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1971 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1971

Colors = id:voc value:red legend:Vocals id:ww value:tan2 legend:Wind_instruments_and_saxophone id:br value:magenta legend:Brass_and_winds id:viol value:drabgreen legend:Violin id:c value:darkblue legend:Cello id:g value:green legend:Guitars id:key value:purple legend:Keyboards id:b value:blue legend:Bass id:dr value:orange legend:Drums id:p value:claret legend:Percussion id:alb value:black legend:Studio_releases

LineData = at:14/08/1971 layer:back at:01/03/1973 at:01/07/1974 at:01/02/1975 at:01/01/1976 at:01/07/1984 at:01/01/1987

PlotData = width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,–4) bar:John McLaughlin from:start till:01/07/1976 color:g bar:John McLaughlin from:01/12/1974 till:01/07/1976 color:voc width:3 bar:John McLaughlin from:01/04/1984 till:end color:g bar:John McLaughlin from:01/04/1984 till:30/06/1984 color:key width:3 bar:Jerry Goodman from:start till:01/01/1974 color:viol bar:Jean-Luc Ponty from:01/01/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:viol bar:Jean-Luc Ponty from:01/12/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:voc width:3 bar:Carol Shive from:01/12/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:viol width:7 bar:Carol Shive from:01/12/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:voc width:3 bar:Steve Kindler from:01/12/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:viol width:3 bar:Philip Hirschi from:01/12/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:c width:3 bar:Russell Tubbs from:01/12/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:ww width:3 bar:Hari Chaurasia from:01/04/1984 till:30/06/1984 color:ww width:3 bar:Bill Evans from:01/04/1984 till:end color:ww bar:Bill Evans from:01/01/1986 till:end color:key width:3 bar:Bob Knapp from:01/12/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:br width:7 bar:Bob Knapp from:01/12/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:voc width:3 bar:Jan Hammer from:start till:01/01/1974 color:key bar:Gayle Moran from:01/01/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:key bar:Gayle Moran from:01/01/1974 till:01/12/1975 color:voc width:3 bar:Stu Goldberg from:01/12/1975 till:01/07/1976 color:key bar:Stu Goldberg from:01/12/1975 till:01/07/1976 color:voc width:3 bar:Katia Labeque from:01/04/1984 till:30/06/1984 color:key width:3 bar:Mitchel Forman from:01/04/1984 till:01/05/1987 color:key bar:Jim Beard from:01/05/1987 till:end color:key bar:Rick Laird from:start till:01/01/1974 color:b bar:Ralphe Armstrong from:01/01/1974 till:01/07/1976 color:b bar:Ralphe Armstrong from:01/12/1975 till:01/07/1976 color:voc width:3 bar:Jonas Hellborg from:01/04/1984 till:end color:b bar:Billy Cobham from:start till:01/01/1974 color:dr bar:Billy Cobham from:start till:01/01/1974 color:p width:3 bar:Billy Cobham from:01/04/1984 till:01/02/1985 color:dr width:7 bar:Billy Cobham from:01/04/1984 till:01/02/1985 color:p width:3 bar:Narada Michael Walden from:01/01/1974 till:01/07/1976 color:dr bar:Narada Michael Walden from:01/01/1974 till:01/07/1976 color:key width:7 bar:Narada Michael Walden from:01/01/1974 till:01/07/1976 color:voc width:3 bar:Danny Gottlieb from:01/04/1984 till:31/12/1984 color:p width:3 bar:Danny Gottlieb from:01/01/1985 till:end color:dr bar:Danny Gottlieb from:01/01/1985 till:end color:p width:3 bar:Zakir Hussain from:01/04/1984 till:30/06/1984 color:p width:3

}} {| class="wikitable" !Period !Line-up |- ! style="background:#e7ebee;"| 1971–1973 | * '''John McLaughlin''' – guitar * '''Jan Hammer''' – keyboards * '''Jerry Goodman''' – violin * '''Rick Laird''' – bass guitar * '''Billy Cobham''' – drums |- ! style="background:#e7ebee;"| 1974–1975 | * '''John McLaughlin''' – guitar * '''Gayle Moran''' – keyboards, vocals * '''Jean-Luc Ponty''' – violin * '''Ralphe Armstrong''' – bass guitar * '''Narada Michael Walden''' – drums, vocals |- ! style="background:#e7ebee;"| 1976 | * '''John McLaughlin''' – guitar, vocals * '''Stu Goldberg''' – keyboards, vocals * '''Ralphe Armstrong''' – bass guitar, vocals * '''Narada Michael Walden''' – drums, vocals |- ! style="background:#e7ebee;"| 1976–1984 | '''Disbanded''' |- ! style="background:#e7ebee;"| 1984 | * '''John McLaughlin''' – guitar * '''Mitchel Forman''' – keyboards * '''Bill Evans''' – saxophone * '''Jonas Hellborg''' – bass guitar * '''Billy Cobham''' – drums |- ! style="background:#e7ebee;"| 1985–1986 | * '''John McLaughlin''' – guitar * '''Mitchel Forman''' – keyboards * '''Bill Evans''' – saxophone, keyboards * '''Jonas Hellborg''' – bass guitar * '''Danny Gottlieb''' – drums |- ! style="background:#e7ebee;"| 1987 | * '''John McLaughlin''' – guitar * '''Jim Beard''' – keyboards * '''Bill Evans''' – saxophone, keyboards * '''Jonas Hellborg''' – bass guitar * '''Danny Gottlieb''' – drums |}

==Discography==

===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="6" | Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" |Certifications |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |US <ref name="us">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-mclaughlin-mn0000223701/awards|title=John McLaughlin – Awards|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |US Jazz <ref name="us"/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |AUS<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=188}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |GER <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=mahavishnu&x=0&y=0&country=de|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140920142102/http://www.officialcharts.de/suche.asp?search=mahavishnu&x=0&y=0&country=de|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 20, 2014|title=Home - Offizielle Deutsche Charts|website=Officialcharts.de|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |NOR <ref>{{cite web|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?search=mahavishnu&cat=a|title=norwegiancharts.com – Norwegian charts portal|first=Steffen|last=Hung|website=Norwegiancharts.com|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |UK <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/carlos%20santana%20&%20mahavishnu%20john%20mclaughlin/|title=Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''The Inner Mounting Flame'' | * Released: November 3, 1971<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/music/player/albums/B007KTBH6K|title=The Inner Mounting Flame|publisher=Amazon Music|access-date=December 13, 2023}}</ref> * Label: C.B.S., Columbia * Formats: CD, LP, digital download || 89 || 11 || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" |''Birds of Fire'' | * Released: January 19, 1973 * Label: C.B.S., Columbia * Formats: CD, CS, LP, Q8, digital download || 15 || — || 38 || 29 || 18 || 20 | * US: Gold<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|access-date=2020-08-03|website=RIAA|language=en-US}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Apocalypse'' with London Symphony Orchestra | * Released: March, 1974<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/apocalypse-mw0000204267|title=Apocalypse – Mahavishnu Orchestra – Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> * Label: C.B.S., Columbia * Formats: CD, LP, Q8, digital download || 43 || 10 || 82 || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" |''Visions of the Emerald Beyond'' | * Released: February, 1975<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/visions-of-the-emerald-beyond-mw0000691521|title=Visions of the Emerald Beyond – Mahavishnu Orchestra – Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> * Label: C.B.S., Columbia * Formats: CD, CS, LP, Q8, digital download || 68 || 18 || 74 || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" |''Inner Worlds'' | * Released: January, 1976<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/inner-worlds-mw0000116252|title=Inner Worlds – Mahavishnu Orchestra – Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> * Label: C.B.S., Columbia * Formats: CD, CS, LP, Q8, digital download || 118 || 24 || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" |''Mahavishnu'' | * Released: October 8, 1984<ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/6qe8KZlC3g2aP01qzA5Dnp|title=Mahavishnu|publisher=Warner Records Inc.|access-date=December 13, 2023}}</ref> * Label: WEA Musik, Warner Bros. * Formats: CD, CS, LP || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" |''Adventures in Radioland'' | * Released: 1987 * Label: Relativity, PolyGram * Formats: CD, LP, digital download || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- ! scope="row" |''The Lost Trident Sessions'' | * Released: September 21, 1999<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-lost-trident-sessions-mw0000249818|title=The Lost Trident Sessions – Mahavishnu Orchestra – Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> * Label: Sony * Formats: CD, HDCD, digital download || — || — || — || — || — || — | |- | colspan="11" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}

=== Live albums ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="6" | Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |US <ref name="us"/> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |AUS<ref name=aus/> |- ! scope="row" |''Between Nothingness & Eternity'' | * Released: November, 1973<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/between-nothingness-eternity-mw0000188331|title=Between Nothingness & Eternity – Mahavishnu Orchestra – Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> * Label: C.B.S., Columbia * Formats: CD, LP, Q8, digital download || 41 || 42 |- ! scope="row" |''Unreleased Tracks from Between Nothingness & Eternity'' | * Released: 2011 * Label: C.B.S., Columbia * Formats: CD, digital download || — || — |}

===Compilations=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album details ! scope="col"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" |US <ref name="us"/> |- ! scope="row" |''The Best of Mahavishnu Orchestra'' | * Released: 1980 * Label: Columbia, CBS * Formats: LP, CS, CD || |- ! scope="row" |''The Complete Columbia Albums Collection'' | * Released: 2011 * Label: Columbia, Sony * Formats: CD || |- ! scope="row" |''The Essential Mahavishnu Orchestra with John McLaughlin'' | * Released: 2013 * Label: Columbia, Sony * Formats: Digital download, streaming || |}

==References== {{Reflist|32em}}

==Sources== * Kolosky, Walter (2006). ''Power, Passion and Beauty: The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra''

==External links== *[https://www.allaboutjazz.com/power-passion-and-beauty-the-story-of-the-legendary-mahavishnu-orchestra-mahavishnu-orchestra-by-marco-anderson Power, Passion and Beauty, The Story Of The Legendary Mahavishnu-Orchestra] *[http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/ John McLaughlin Official Website] *[http://www.janhammer.com/ Official Jan Hammer website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041119075833/http://www.synthtopia.com/interviews/Jan_Hammer_Interview.html Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miami Vice and More] – Jan Hammer interview *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090112150604/http://crawdaddy.wolfgangsvault.com/Article.aspx?id=3042 "Acceptible [sic] Fusion: the Mahavishnu Orchestra, 1973"], by Dinky Dawson, ''Crawdaddy!'', September 19, 2007. Archive of dead link. *[https://archive.today/20121208221016/http://www.italway.it/morrone/jml-crawdaddy.htm "Two Sides to Every Satori"], a John McLaughlin interview, ''Crawdaddy!'', November 1973. *[https://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/under-your-skin-interviews-john-mclaughlin-and-george-duke-interviews/ John McLaughlin video interview at allaboutjazz.com] *[https://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/uys-miroslav-vitous-and-jean-luc-ponty-interviews/ Jean-Luc Ponty interview at Allaboutjazz.com]

Category:Jazz ensembles from New York City Category:American jazz fusion ensembles Category:Mahavishnu Orchestra members Category:Musical groups established in 1971 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1976 Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1984 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1987 Category:1971 establishments in New York City Category:1976 disestablishments in New York (state) Category:1984 establishments in New York City Category:1987 disestablishments in New York (state) Category:Columbia Records artists Category:Musical quintets from New York (state)