He was born in Seattle, Washington, the son of songwriter Jack Stern (1896-1985).[1] He learned piano as a child, and also studied music theory and counterpoint.[2]
In 1949 he wrote an early live television musical for KTTV in Los Angeles. He also worked for a music publishing company.[1] In 1953, he contributed three songs to the film Pete Kelly's Blues, including "Sing A Rainbow" and "He Needs Me", sung by Peggy Lee. However, Hamilton's third song, "Cry Me A River", sung by Ella Fitzgerald, was dropped from the film. The song's first release and most famous recording was by actress and singer Julie London in 1955.[1][3] Her performance of the song in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It helped to make it a million-selling hit, reaching # 9 in the US Billboard chart and # 22 in the UK.
His compositions have been recorded by Dinah Washington, Harry Connick Jr., Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Ray Charles, Diana Krall, The Dells (whose version of "Sing a Rainbow" was an international hit in 1969), and others.[2] He has also been nominated for an Oscar, two Emmys, and a Golden Globe.[3] He was until 2007 a Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Music Branch).[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Arthur Hamilton at IMDB
- ^ a b Arthur Hamilton at Tritone Press
- ^ a b Alan Ross Fleishman site: Arthur Hamilton
