Throughout the mid-50s to the mid-60s, Roy Hamilton had it all.
Suave and handsome, with a warm, appealing personality and a God-gifted voice, Roy recorded over 50 singles, eight of which crossed over to the pop charts. His most remembered hits include the dramatic epic, "You'll Never Walk Alone," released in '54, “Unchained Melody” and his up-tempo hits “Don’t Let Go” in '58 and “You Can Have Her,” in 1961, -- both top ten hits.
He scored as well with his version of “Ebb Tide," “Hurt" “If I
Loved You," “Forgive This Fool” and “Without a Song."
Roy performed all over the world.
His rich voice and repertoire was perfect for chic supper-clubs or the Chitlin’ Circuit -- he worked both worlds with ease.
His attempt to "fit in" as a Rock and Roll star rewarded him with a featured spot in the 1958 Columbia Pictures movie “Let’s Rock”.
Let's Rock (1958) with great Manhattan locations. A ballad singer's career in spiraling downward since he refuses to jump on the rock n roll bandwagon. Eventually he does and all ends happy. Terrific 50s rock n roll by Danny and the Juniors, the Royal Teens, Paul Anka, Della Reese, Julius LaRosa, Wink Martindale and Roy Hamilton!
Born on April 16, 1929 in Leesburg, Georgia, Roy began his journey singing in his local church choir at the age of six. He continued molding his voice within church when his family moved to Jersey City, New Jersey when Roy was 14, becoming a feature soloist at the Central Baptist Church.
In high school, Roy believed his destiny was singing, and he soon turned towards the performing. He also became a boxer, and attained six victories as an amateur heavy-weight, but quit because of the violence of the sport.
In 1948, he yearned for the solo spotlight, and began performing in clubs throughout New Jersey and New York. It was there that he met his future manager, Bill Cook, a DJ who hosted a live radio program at the Caravan Club in Newark, NJ in 1953. Roy tore down the house with the song that would become his first hit, “You’ll Never Walk Alone." From there, Bill took Roy under his wing as his manager, and Roy was signed to Columbia Records, his first major label, in December of that year.
Roy was allready a huge international star when he first appeared on my shows, but by 1965 (on a show with Simon and Garfunkel, George Carlin and Deb Ferrara), Roy's career was on the descent, pushed aside by the counter-culture. Roy’s suffered a stroke in New Rochelle, New York, and died soon after on July 20, 1969, leaving behind his wife Myrna, and two sons, Roy Hamilton Jr. and Ray Hamilton. This great human being has never been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but he has been nominated into the new Hit Parade Hall of Fame, an idea launched two years ago by former broadcaster, John Rook, to recognize the many artists shunned by the rock hall. You may vote for your favorite 2008 inductees at
