Judd Hamilton

Judd Hamilton is an American singer, musician, former band leader, writer, film producer, actor, inventor, company director. As a musician he has recorded for the Dolton, Liberty, American International, United Artists and RCA Victor labels. He has made a contribution to the music of California, as well as the surf genre from his involvement with the T-Bones, and 1960s surf groups, the Avantis and the Ventures. During the 1960s, the groups he was a member of include, Judd Hamilton & the Furys, The Marketts and The T-Bones. As a film and television producer he was the executive producer for the film ''Maniac'' and ''The Last Horror Film'', as well as the film's co-screenwriter, and the executive producer for The 7th Annual Sci-Fi Awards, a 90-minute TV special. His brother was Dan Hamilton of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds fame. He was married to English actress Caroline Munro for a number of years.

Background

Judd Douglas Hamilton was still attending college when he was in The Furys. He wrote a song which when released put the group's name in the KMEL Top 10. From meeting people and progressing through the musical inroads, he was responsible for the classic surf record, "Wax 'em Down". Both Judd and brother Dan were members of The T-Bones. He was responsible for putting together the touring version of the group, which also recorded as The T-Bones.Songfacts
Album: No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In) Released: 1966
/ref> The January 22, 1966 issue of ''Cash Box'' listed the T-Bones' line up as 23 year old Judd Hamilton on rhythm guitar, his 21 year old brother Danny on lead guitar, 24 year old drummer Gene Pello, 23 year old bass guitarist George Dee, and 23 year old organist and saxophonist Richard Torres. They had also just completed an LP. Both Judd and Dan were also members of The Marketts.

Hamilton also acted in film as well as writing and producing. He produced the classic horror slasher ''Maniac'' which starred Joe Spinnel.

Hamilton was possibly mistakenly credited with being a member of The Chambers Brothers. The source was an article in the March 28, 1970 issue of ''Record World''. Apparently, Hamilton was at a party for an American International Records signing and there was confusion about the Chambers Brothers signing to the label or, and Hamilton being a member of the group. The next issue (April 4) clarified that The Chambers Brothers were not with American International and were with Columbia Records. It also stated that Hamilton was not a member of The Chambers Brothers.

Judd and Dan Hamilton were the cover subject as well as main article in the surf music magazine, Pipeline #77, ''the story of'' JUDD & DANNY HAMILTON.

Hamilton and Caroline Munro were picked up on the Soul music radar with their single, "You Got It" (Aquarius AQ 3) which was a UK radio hit in 1976.

Music career (Solo artist and musician)

1960s

In 1960, Hamilton was a freshman at Wenatchee Valley College. He entered a talent show with a song he wrote. He was approached by local KMEL radio DJ Don Bernier who was in the audience that night. Berner ran an idea by Hamilton that he record with a band called The Furys. A few weeks later Bernier drove Hamilton and the band over to a Spokane radio station where they recorded a few tracks.Julian Records Website
Judd Hamilton & the Furys
/ref> The resulting single was "I’m Not Around Anymore" backed by "Little Lost Angel", released on Julian J-101.''Walk-Don't Run - The Story of the Ventures'', By Del Halterman
Page 54 A Dream Fulfilled
/ref> In 1961 the single was reported in ''Billboard Music Week'' in the June 5 issue single as having some sales potential. It went into the KMEL Top 10. After that Hamilton & the Furys appeared at Wenatchee's Roller Rink as the opening act for the Ventures and Bobby Vee. Venture guitarist Bob Bogle invited Hamilton to look him up if he was ever in Hollywood. With that invitation Hamilton left college in 1961 and headed to Hollywood where he was invited to work as a roadie for the Ventures. Within a year Bogle decided to record a single with Hamilton, "On A Night Like This" backed with "'Til I Found You", under the name of Shane. It was arranged by Hank Levine. It was advertised in the June 23, 1961 issue of ''Billboard''.''The Music of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds'', By Robert Reynolds
Page 64 Judd Hamilton Discography
/ref>

In 1963, he recorded the Johnny Mercer classic "Dream", backed by the Ventures, along his own composition, "Your Only Boy" released on the Dolton label. It was given a four star rating which meant it had potential to be stocked by dealers and other outlets. It was given a B+ rating by ''Cash Box'' with the reviewer mentioning a similarity with The Marcels' song " Blue Moon". The flip side "Your Only Boy" was an original composition.

In 1965, "No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In)" by the T-Bones was climbing up the charts. The actual musicians that played on the recording were session musicians, the Wrecking Crew. Liberty Records wanted to promote the song. The problem was that the session musicians were doing too well where they were to take time out to go on the road. Hamilton was approached by Joe Saraceno, a producer for Liberty in November that year. He was given the job of putting together a band to play live as the T-Bones. He became the rhythm guitarist for the group and recruited his brother Dan as the lead-guitarist. He also got George Dee for the role of bass player, Gene Pello on drums and Richard Torres as keyboard and sax player. So a touring version of the T-Bones was formed.Songfacts
Album: No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In) Released: 1966
/ref> When the group arrived back in Los Angeles, they were invited to play a benefit event at the Aquarius Theater. The other artists at the event included The Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers, and Buffalo Springfield. By that time, Dan Hamilton and Richard Torres had left the band and were replaced by Tommy Reynolds, Joe Frank Carollo and Jay Allen. It was this version that Joe Saraceno brought into the studio to record ''Everyone's Gone to the Moon'' which would be the last studio album credited to the T-Bones. The photo of this line up appeared on the back of the album cover.

1970s to 1980s

By June 1970, Hamilton had completed his part in the Paramount Pictures film '' A Talent for Loving'' while his next solo single, a Johnny Cymbal composition, "Rules" and "Someday Morning", was released on AIR, the label connected with American International. He was one of the first acts that was signed to the label. That year he had the single "Sunshine Man" bw "Baltimore" released on American International Records A-163. With the record in the Swamp Rock idiom, and a four-star pick, the ''Record World'' reviewer had it as one to watch out for.

In 1971, he had a single released on the United Artists label, "Mixed-Up Guy". Music magazine ''Record Mirror'' had it as a Mirror Pick in the June 19 issue. Even though the reviewer noted Hamilton's singing if of the ballad, saying he did it well, the record was noted more for the performance value rather than commercial. The other was "Rose by Any Other Name" by "Don't Be Afraid of the World". The following year he had "Long Road" by "C'Est La Vie" released on the label.

Between 1975 and 1977, at least four singles were released with his wife Caroline Munro which included the popular "You Got It". They were the first act to have a UK release on the new Aquarius label. Handled in the UK by President Records, the label was one of the French-owned J.A.C.K.S. companies. Some were billed as Judd and Miss Munro. The couple divorced in 1982.

Production, composer, A&R

In 1964 along with former Dolton Records label mate Bill Shaw, he was working for Regency Records as an A&R man. One of the acts he recorded was Danny and the Memories who went on to be Neil Young's band Crazy Horse. He also brought together Pat and Lolly Vegas (later Redbone) his brother Dan, Leon Russell, Dave Gates (later Bread) and Gary Leeds (later the Walker Bros.) to record as the Avantis, producing "Gypsy Surfer" and the surf classic, "Wax 'em Down".''Walk-Don't Run - The Story of the Ventures'', By Del Halterman
Page 102
/ref> Backed with "Gypsy Surfer", it was released on Chancellor C-1144 and became a local hit. It was also picked by another label and bootlegged. The label was an infamous label called Astra.

After recording the final T-Bones album Dan Hamilton rejoined the group for a Japanese tour with the lineup once again including the Hamilton Bros., along with Joe Frank Carollo and Tommy Reynolds. After the Japanese tour the T-Bones disbanded. Dan, Joe Frank and Tommy got back together in 1970 as Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds. With Judd now living in London and helping from behind the scenes the former T-Bones signed a record deal with ABC Dunhill and their first single, "Don't Pull Your Love Out", became a million selling gold record, reaching No. 1 on Cashbox and No. 3 on the Billboard charts in 1971. Reynolds left the group in 1972 and with new member Alan Dennison on keyboards they eventually signed with Playboy Records and their first single, "Fallin' in Love", became their next gold record hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Charts in 1975.

In 1990, after spending twenty years in Europe, Hamilton had returned to Spokane. He started his own small recording studio and was looking forward to working on a project with his brother Dan as the Hamilton Brothers. It did not happen as Dan Hamilton died just before Christmas in 1994. In an interview that appeared in an article of the January 5, 1995 edition of the '' Spokesman-Review'', there was a strong indication that Hamilton was going to produce a greatest hits CD on a Spokane label.

Film work

Hamilton had a co-starring role in the Richard Quine 1969 Western, '' A Talent for Loving'' which starred Richard Widmark, Topol, Geneviève Page. He played the part of Jim, one of Major Patten's (played by Richard Widmark) adopted sons. It was allegedly on the set that Hamilton met Caroline Munro who was to become his wife. In 1978 he co-starred in the sci-fi film '' Starcrash'' alongside Caroline Munro, Christopher Plummer, David Hasselhoff, Marjoe Gortner, Joe Spinell. Along with Joe Spinell he was the executive producer for the 1980 horror film ''Maniac'' which starred Spinell and Caroline Munro.

In 1980, he played a major role in the television special, ''1980 Sci-Fi Awards'', where he was an executive producer and writer. The event was hosted by Caroline Munro and Mark Hamill. Other attendees included Maud Adams, Roger Corman, Buster Crabbe, Scatman Crothers, music group ELO, Richard Keil, John Saxon, Stephanie Mills etc. During a rehearsal, Caroline Munro was overcome by a fever and nearly fell from the stage.

In 1981 he co-wrote the screenplay, executive produced and co-starred in his last film ''The Last Horror Film'', which starred Caroline Munro and Joe Spinell.TV Guide
The Last Horror Film, CAST & CREW
/ref>

Discography

Arrangement, production, etc.

Filmography

Further reading

* ''Superstar in a Masquerade'', by William Sargent · 2021,
Judd Hamilton
* ''The Spokesman-Review'', Thu., Jan. 5, 1995
Music Still Keeps Late Rock Star’s Memory Alive by Doug Clark
* New Age Universe

* Sonic Hits
Judd Hamilton

References

External links

45Cat: Judd Hamilton

''Pipeline'' Issue 77: The Avantis – The T-Bones – The Ventures – all part of the Judd & Danny Hamilton Story

Discogs: Judd Hamilton

IMDb: Judd Hamilton

Northwest Music Archives HAMILTON, JUDD

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hamilton, Judd
RCA Victor artists
United Artists Records artists
Dolton Records artists
20th-century American male actors
20th-century American writers
20th-century American male writers
American music arrangers
People from Ferry County, Washington
Living people
1942 births
The Marketts members
The T-Bones members