Biography
Judd Hamilton (born February 28, 1942) is an American singer, musician, former bandleader, writer, film producer, actor, inventor, and company director. As a musician, he has recorded for labels such as Dolton, Liberty, American International, United Artists, and RCA Victor. He contributed to California’s music scene and the surf genre through his involvement with the T-Bones and 1960s surf groups like the Avantis and the Ventures. In film and television, he served as executive producer for Maniac and The Last Horror Film, also co-writing the latter, and was executive producer for The 7th Annual Sci-Fi Awards, a 90-minute TV special. His brother was Dan Hamilton of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. He was married for several years to English actress Caroline Munro.
In 1960, while a freshman at Wenatchee Valley College, Hamilton entered a talent show with an original song. Afterward, KMEL radio DJ Don Bernier, who attended the event, suggested he record with the band The Furys. Weeks later, Bernier took Hamilton and the band to a Spokane radio station to record several tracks. The resulting single, "I’m Not Around Anymore" backed with "Little Lost Angel," was released on Julian J-101. Billboard’s June 5, 1961 issue mentioned the single’s sales potential, and it reached the KMEL Top 10. Following this, Hamilton & the Furys opened at Wenatchee’s Roller Rink for the Ventures and Bobby Vee. Ventures guitarist Bob Bogle invited Hamilton to contact him if he came to Hollywood. Taking this advice, Hamilton left college in 1961 for Hollywood and worked as a roadie for the Ventures. Within a year, Bogle recorded a single with Hamilton titled "On A Night Like This" backed with "'Til I Found You," released under the name Shane and advertised in Billboard on June 23, 1961.
In 1963, Hamilton recorded the Johnny Mercer classic "Dream," backed by the Ventures, along with his own composition "Your Only Boy," released on the Dolton label. It received a four-star rating, indicating strong potential for stocking by dealers and outlets.
