Judd Hamilton

Judd Hamilton (born February 28, 1942) 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. 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 the late Dan Hamilton of Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds fame. He was also married to English actress Caroline Munro for a number of years.

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. The resulting single was "I’m Not Around Anymore" backed by "Little Lost Angel", released on Julian J-101. 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 advertised in the June 23, 1961 issue of Billboard.

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. ...