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| − | Born in Leesburg, [[Georgia]] on April 16, 1929, Roy Hamilton's | + | Born in Leesburg, [[Georgia]] on April 16, 1929, '''Roy Hamilton''''s big booming voice would influence future stars like [[Jackie Wilson]] and [[Elvis Presley]]. |
| − | big booming voice would influence future stars like | |
| − | [[Jackie Wilson]] and [[Elvis Presley]]. | |
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| − | As a teenager he was singing in a church choir and won a | + | As a teenager he was singing in a church choir and won a talent contest at the fame Apollo Theatre in 1947, but it was not until 1954 that his “You’ll Never Walk Alone” exploded |
| − | talent contest at the fame Apollo Theatre in 1947, but it was | |
| − | not until 1954 that his “You’ll Never Walk Alone” exploded | |
| | on the pop charts and reached #1 on the R&B Hit Parade. | | on the pop charts and reached #1 on the R&B Hit Parade. |
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| − | In the same year “If I Loved You”, “Ebb Tide” and “Hurt” | + | In the same year “If I Loved You”, “Ebb Tide” and “Hurt” further introduced Roy to fans in America and internationally. In 1955 his “Unchained Melody” was top ten on the pop charts |
| − | further introduced Roy to fans in America and internationally. | + | and topped the R&B surveys at #1. “Forgive This Fool” and “Without a Song” followed on the charts in the same year. In 1958 Roy Hamilton rocked with “Don’t Let Go” and in 1961 “You Can Have Her”, both top ten hits. |
| − | In 1955 his “Unchained Melody” was top ten on the pop charts | |
| − | and topped the R&B surveys at #1. “Forgive This Fool” and | |
| − | “Without a Song” followed on the charts in the same year. | |
| − | In 1958 Roy Hamilton rocked with “Don’t Let Go” and in 1961 | |
| − | You Can Have Her”, both top ten hits.
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| − | Epic Records released 16 albums, many of them | + | Epic Records released 16 albums, many of them still available today. |
| − | still available today. | |
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| − | Sadly Roy Hamilton suffered a stroke and died in New Rochelle, | + | Sadly Roy Hamilton suffered a stroke and died in New Rochelle, [[New York]] on July 20, 1969 at just 40 years of age. |
| − | [[New York]] on July 20, 1969 at just 40 years of age. | |