Sir Lord Baltimore

Sir Lord Baltimore
From left: Louis Dambra, Gary Justin, and John Garner, circa 1971
Background information
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hard rock, psychedelic rock, heavy metal
Years active	1968–1976, 2006–2015
Labels	Mercury, PolyGram, Red Fox Records, JG Records, Anthology Recordings
Associated acts	The Koala, the Lizards, Overdrive, Locomotive Breath
Website	Official site
Past members	John Garner Louis Dambra Gary Justin Joey Dambra

Sir Lord Baltimore was an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York, United States, formed in 1968 by lead vocalist/drummer John Garner, guitarist Louis Dambra, and bass player Gary Justin. Some have cited the 1971 review of their debut record, Kingdom Come, in Creem magazine as containing the first documented use of the term "heavy metal" to refer to a style of music; the truth is the same reviewer used the term when reviewing a Humble Pie album in Rolling Stone six months earlier. Sir Lord Baltimore featured a drumming lead singer, traditionally a rarity in rock and metal music. The group have been called "the godfathers of stoner rock."

In 2006, Garner and Dambra reunited as Sir Lord Baltimore and released a new album, Sir Lord Baltimore III Raw. The reformed band featured an overt Christian focus and lyrics, an emphasis not found in their earlier work. Justin, no longer an active musician, did not participate. Garner died on December 5, 2015, of liver failure, ending the band.

Sir Lord Baltimore's career is divided into two distinct periods: their original formation, during which time they put out two studio albums and started a third; and Garner and Dambra's reunion in 2006.

Having first met in high school, Garner (the band creator), Dambra and Justin started rehearsing together in 1968. At the time of their formation, Dambra (as Louis Caine) was also playing for a group called the Koala, who released an eponymous album in 1969. Justin has cited Cream's Jack Bruce as an influence on his early career choice.

After a relatively short time, the new band auditioned for Mike Appel, who was then working as a talent scout (he would later launch and manage the career of Bruce Springsteen). Appel agreed to mentor them and reportedly gave them the name Sir Lord Baltimore, taken from a character in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. For the group's debut album, Appel served as co-producer as well as contributing to arrangements and lyrics.