Hamilton Camp

Biography

Hamilton Camp (born Hamid Hamilton Camp in London on 30 October 1934; died in Los Angeles, CA, on 2 October 2005) was a British-American singer-songwriter and actor known for co-writing (with Bob Gibson) such songs as Simon & Garfunkel's "You Can Tell The World" (1964) and Judy Collins' "Ten O'Clock All Is Well" (1963), and for writing "Pride Of Man", recorded by both Gordon Lightfoot and Quicksilver Messenger Service. As well as solo recordings, he recorded as Bob Gibson & Hamilton Camp and as...

Hamilton Camp (born Hamid Hamilton Camp in London on 30 October 1934; died in Los Angeles, CA, on 2 October 2005) was a British-American singer-songwriter and actor known for co-writing (with Bob Gibson) such songs as Simon & Garfunkel's "You Can Tell The World" (1964) and Judy Collins' "Ten O'Clock All Is Well" (1963), and for writing "Pride Of Man", recorded by both Gordon Lightfoot and Quicksilver Messenger Service. As well as solo recordings, he recorded as Bob Gibson & Hamilton Camp and as Skymonters with Hamid Hamilton Camp.

Evacuated during World War II to the United States as a child (with his mother and sister), he became a child actor in films and onstage. Subsequently, for a few years, he billed himself as Hamid Hamilton Camp; in this period, he was leader of a group called Skymonters that released an album (as Skymonters with Hamid Hamilton Camp) in 1973 on Elektra.

Camp is remembered as one of the singers on the folk scene when the movement started gaining steam in the late 50s and early 60s. First known as Bob Camp, then Hamilton Camp, and sometimes Hamid Hamilton Camp, he perhaps is best remembered for his sporadic partnership with Bob Gibson. Their collaboration, "The Gate of Horn" by Bob Gibson & Hamilton Camp, is considered a fine folk records, and the recording shows off the improvisation and humor the two developed on stage. Camp later put those skills to good use as a member of The Committee, a San Francisco-based improv troupe. He also appeared in numerous films and TV episodes. From time to time in the 70s, 80s and 90s, he would return to Chicago and team up again with Gibson. They recorded another album, Homemade Music, in 1978, and later did a revised version of their The Gate of Horn album. The reunions ended when Gibson died in 1996.

As a solo artist, Camp's best album is Paths of Victory, a 1964 record notable for including numerous Bob Dylan songs, many of which Dylan himself had not yet recorded. In some circles, Camp's interpretations of Dylan's songs have been credited with opening people's eyes to Dylan's songwriting talent, which often was obscured by Dylan's offputting personality and less-than-pleasing vocals.

In the early 70s, Camp and his family lived in a commune in Virginia and with fellow commune members recorded an album as Skymonters with Hamid Hamilton Camp.

In 2003, Camp recorded an album called "Mardi's Bard," which was dedicated to his longtime friend, Mardi Arquette (mother of Rosanne, Patricia, David). She was dying from cancer and he would serenade her with songs to ease her pain. His last album, Sweet Joy, was completed just days before he died in 2005, at the age of 70.

In 2005, the album "Sweet Joy" was released. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.