Background
Larry James Hamilton, was born in Galveston, Texas, United States but was brought up in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Larry James Hamilton, was born in Galveston, Texas, United States but was brought up in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Although he had been a professional musician since the mid-1960s, his solo debut album was not released until 1997. Playing drums, piano and learning to sing by the age of nine, Hamilton had written his first song by the age of 12. Three years later, in 1965, Hamilton began his professional career as lead singer with David Batiste and the Gladiators.
His career there lasted until the mid-1970s, during which time he had toured with Curtis Mayfield, Bettye Swann, Jackie Wilson, Percy Sledge, David Ruffin, Major Lance, Z. Z. Hill and First Rate (at Lloyd's) Green.
In his own name, Hamilton recorded two singles on Malaco Records, "Gossip" b/w "Keep The News To Yourself" (1971), and "My Mind Keeps Playing Tricks On Maine" b/w "Ain"t Nothing Like That Funky Music". His songwriting credits include Etta James" "Get On Your Job".
"Feel Like Dynamite" and "Let Us Be" for King Floyd. "She"s Taking My Participant" for Irma Thomas.
And "The Feeling" for Albert King.
He has also written for Oliver Morgan ("I Love Rhythm and Blues"). Jean Knight (Save The Last Kiss Foreign Maine"). And Johnny Adams ("More Than One Way").
Hamilton met Allen Toussaint in the late 1970s and accompanied his group on tour.
In 1996, Toussaint signed Hamilton to his NYNO Records label, releasing Larry Hamilton in 1997. Hamilton"s second album, Love Is?, was released in September 2006.
Hamilton died in December 2011, aged 60.