Vicky Hamilton (music executive)
Encyclopedia
Vicky Hamilton is an American record executive, personal manager, promoter and club booker, writer (journalist, playwright, and screenwriter), documentary film maker, and artist.
Hamilton is noted for managing the early careers of Guns and Roses, Poison
and Faster Pussycat
; for being a management consultant for Motley Crue
and Stryper
, a 1980's concert promoter on the Sunset Strip, and a club booker at Bar Sinister from 2001 to 2010.
Hamilton did A&R
at Geffen Records
from 1988 to 1992, worked at Lookout Management, at Vapor Records from 1994 to 1996, and as an A&R consultant at Capitol Records
from 1997 to 1999. She started her own record label, Small Hairy Dog, in 1997, a joint venture
with Risk Records in 1998. The only artist signed to the label was June Carter Cash
whose album Press On
won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album
in 2000.
, to Woodrow Arthur Hamilton and Clara Virginia Hamilton. She was the youngest of three girls. Her sisters are sisters Sharon Lee Hamilton and Brenda Ann Hamilton.
Hamilton’s father was a coal miner, marine and then a engineer for BF Goodrich. While she was in the 5th grade, her father was transferred to Fort Wayne, Indiana
. She graduated from New Haven High School, New Haven, Indiana
in 1976, and attended Fort Wayne Art Institute before moving to Los Angeles in 1981.
, all in Fort Wayne. An art school dropout, Hamilton began to manage bands in 1979, Dynasty was the first, followed by Ebenezer and Destin. While interviewing Tom Petty
for Three Rivers Review, Tom told Hamilton she was a California girl and that was all it took: Hamilton moved to Los Angeles, California.
Vicky arrived in Hollywood in 1981 and after a short run as a cocktail waitress at The Palomino Club, then Gazzarri's
, she was hired by Gary Gersh to work as a record store clerk at Licorice Pizza record store, with was across the street from the Whisky a Go Go
. While working there, she met Nikki Sixx
of Motley Crue and began helping the band; soon after she was hired as a management consultant by then manager Allan Coffman. Hamilton did display merchandizing all over Los Angeles for the Greenworld-distributed "Too Fast For Love
" record and helped shop the band to the record labels. Once Motley Crue signed to Elektra Records
, the band got new management and Hamilton was out of a job. She then became a management consultant for Christian rockers Stryper
.
After parting was with Stryper, on what was called "Spiritual differences," Hamilton started managing a new band in town Poison
. At the same time, she was promoting concerts at The Roxy Theatre
and Whisky a Go Go while being backed by guitar dealer Howie Hubberman. Hamilton booked and promoted many of the 80's glam and metal bands, and after she had a falling out with Poison once they signed with Enigma Records
, she began managing Guns and Roses and Darling Cruel.
was on the other end of the line; he wanted to bring Hamilton a demo. With no stereo in her office, she asked him to mail in a demo, he responded, "I have a Ghetto Blaster, I'll bring it and play it for you." Hamilton agreed and when Rose and Izzy Stradlin
showed up an hour later, Hamilton booked Hollywood Rose
(Rose and Stradlin's band prior to Guns and Roses) sight unseen based on the strength of that demo.
Hamilton was also booking Stryper and Slash
's band, Black Sheep. Vicky introduced Slash to Axl when Hollywood Rose opened for Black Sheep and Stryper at the Music Machine, in West LA. Shortly after Chris Weber
(guitarist of Hollywood Rose) departure for New York City
, Slash became the guitarist, followed by Steven Adler
on drums and Duff McKagen on bass. The original lineup of Guns and Roses was then born. Hamilton a big supporter of the band began to take on management duties when they moved into a rehearsal space near Howie Hubberman's guitar shop, Guitars R Us, which was off Sunset. The band was always in trouble with the law, the LAPD was looking for Axl Rose. Slash convinced Vicky to let Axl hide out at her apartment until it blew over.
Over the next six months, all the members of the band (with the exception of McKagen who lived with his girlfriend) moved into Hamilton's one bedroom apartment on Clarke St. in West Hollywood, which she was already sharing with Jennifer Perry.
Hamilton booked many great live shows for the band, got them a lawyer and took many meeting with major record companies. Vicky convinced Howie Hubberman to invest $25,000 in gear, clothes and rehearsals. As a result of her efforts and the bands talent, a major label bidding war ensued and on March 26. 1986, Guns and Roses signed with Geffen Records.
Hamilton took an A&R consulting job at Geffen Records soon after agreeing to let the label find the band major management. She went on to manage Darling Cruel, Faster Pussycat
, The Lostboys and Salty Dog
securing them all major record deals. Hamilton later took a full time A&R job at Geffen Records
and brought in deals for Salty Dog, Rick Parker, Half Way Home, I, Napoleon and The Graveyard Train. Hamilton worked at Geffen Records from 1988 to 1992. Guns and Roses did not pay back the loan to Hubberman, and this resulted in Hamilton suing the band, the matter was settled out of court.
, "The Battle of Los Angeles
."
While managing The Freewheelers, who were label mates with Johnny Cash
, they were invited to open for the man in black at the House of Blues
. Backstage after the show in 1996, Hamilton told label president Rick Rubin
and artist Tom Petty
how much she enjoyed Johnny's performance and particularly Johnny’s sidekick and wife, June Carter Cash
. Rubin suggested that Hamilton make a record with June and this started a friendship between Carter-Cash and Hamilton. Vicky shopped the idea of making a record with June to every major label in town and was shocked that no one wanted to do it! This resulted in Hamilton starting her own label, Small Hairy Dog in 1999, SHD joint ventured with Risk Records to produce Press On. In 2000 the album won a Grammy for best traditional folk record.
1997, In addition to starting her own label, Hamilton followed her friend Gary Gersh who hired her at Licorice Pizza and she worked with at Geffen Records to Capitol Records as an A&R consultant, where she worked until 1999. Hamilton started her own management company, Aesthetic V in 2001. She manages, consults and represents several musical acts and visual artists. See website.
for current roster.
She booked famous Hollywood club, Bar Sinister from 2001–2010 and profiled A&R people for The A&R Registry from 2005 to 2010. Hamilton also taught at the Musician's Institute from 2007 to 2009.
(Midnight Train Media). The film will debut in some time in 2012. Hamilton is also working on an autobiography.
VH1
Hamilton is noted for managing the early careers of Guns and Roses, Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
and Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1986. The group was most successful during the late 1980s with their self-titled debut album, their 1989 gold album Wake Me When It's Over and the 80,000 selling Whipped! in 1992.-The roots of Faster Pussycat...
; for being a management consultant for Motley Crue
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
and Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
, a 1980's concert promoter on the Sunset Strip, and a club booker at Bar Sinister from 2001 to 2010.
Hamilton did A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
at Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
from 1988 to 1992, worked at Lookout Management, at Vapor Records from 1994 to 1996, and as an A&R consultant at Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
from 1997 to 1999. She started her own record label, Small Hairy Dog, in 1997, a joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
with Risk Records in 1998. The only artist signed to the label was June Carter Cash
June Carter Cash
Valerie June Carter Cash was an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, comedienne and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash...
whose album Press On
Press On
Press On is the Grammy Award-winning second album by singer June Carter Cash. It was released in 1999 by the Risk Records label and then later re-released by the Dualtone label....
won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album
Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album
The Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album was awarded from 1987 to 2011. Until 1993 the award was known as the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Recording.An award for Best Contemporary Folk Album was also presented...
in 2000.
Life and career
Hamilton was born in Charleston, West VirginiaCharleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
, to Woodrow Arthur Hamilton and Clara Virginia Hamilton. She was the youngest of three girls. Her sisters are sisters Sharon Lee Hamilton and Brenda Ann Hamilton.
Hamilton’s father was a coal miner, marine and then a engineer for BF Goodrich. While she was in the 5th grade, her father was transferred to Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. She graduated from New Haven High School, New Haven, Indiana
New Haven, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 12,406 people, 4,900 households, and 3,415 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,522.0 people per square mile . There were 5,141 housing units at an average density of 630.7 per square mile...
in 1976, and attended Fort Wayne Art Institute before moving to Los Angeles in 1981.
Music industry
Hamilton's first music industry job was as a record store clerk in Indiana. While working at the record store, she became a concert review writer for the Three Rivers Review and a concert booker for Summer In The CitySummer in the City
"Summer in the City" is the title of a song recorded by The Lovin' Spoonful, written by Mark Sebastian and Steve Boone. It came from their album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful and it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1966...
, all in Fort Wayne. An art school dropout, Hamilton began to manage bands in 1979, Dynasty was the first, followed by Ebenezer and Destin. While interviewing Tom Petty
Tom Petty
Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
for Three Rivers Review, Tom told Hamilton she was a California girl and that was all it took: Hamilton moved to Los Angeles, California.
Vicky arrived in Hollywood in 1981 and after a short run as a cocktail waitress at The Palomino Club, then Gazzarri's
Gazzarri's
Gazzarri's was a nightclub on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is most notable as the location where The Doors, and Van Halen were featured house bands for long stretches before being discovered...
, she was hired by Gary Gersh to work as a record store clerk at Licorice Pizza record store, with was across the street from the Whisky a Go Go
Whisky a Go Go
The Whisky a Go Go is a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard, on the Sunset Strip.-History:...
. While working there, she met Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx
Nikki Sixx is an American musician, songwriter, author, fashion designer, radio host, and photographer, best known as the co-founder and bassist of the band Mötley Crüe. Prior to forming Mötley Crüe, Sixx was a member of Sister before going on to form London with his Sister band mate Lizzie Grey...
of Motley Crue and began helping the band; soon after she was hired as a management consultant by then manager Allan Coffman. Hamilton did display merchandizing all over Los Angeles for the Greenworld-distributed "Too Fast For Love
Too Fast for Love
Too Fast For Love is the debut record of American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe; 900 copies were released in November 1981 on the band's Leathür Records label. Elektra Records signed the band the following year, at which point the album was remixed and partially re-recorded...
" record and helped shop the band to the record labels. Once Motley Crue signed to Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
, the band got new management and Hamilton was out of a job. She then became a management consultant for Christian rockers Stryper
Stryper
Stryper is a Christian glam metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet , Oz Fox , Tim Gaines , and Robert Sweet...
.
After parting was with Stryper, on what was called "Spiritual differences," Hamilton started managing a new band in town Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
. At the same time, she was promoting concerts at The Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre
The Roxy Theatre is a famous nightclub, on the Sunset Strip, in West Hollywood, California. The Roxy is owned by Lou Adler and Adler's son, Nic, who operates the club.- History :...
and Whisky a Go Go while being backed by guitar dealer Howie Hubberman. Hamilton booked and promoted many of the 80's glam and metal bands, and after she had a falling out with Poison once they signed with Enigma Records
Enigma Records
Enigma Records was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. It was initially a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/distributor, which it split-off from in 1985 to become its own company...
, she began managing Guns and Roses and Darling Cruel.
Guns and Roses
Early in 1984, Vicky got a call at Silverlining Entertainment where she was an agent representing rock acts. Axl RoseAxl Rose
W. Axl Rose is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the lead vocalist and only remaining original member of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he enjoyed great success and recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before disappearing from the public eye for several years...
was on the other end of the line; he wanted to bring Hamilton a demo. With no stereo in her office, she asked him to mail in a demo, he responded, "I have a Ghetto Blaster, I'll bring it and play it for you." Hamilton agreed and when Rose and Izzy Stradlin
Izzy Stradlin
Jeffrey Dean Isbell , known by his stage name Izzy Stradlin, is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the co-founder and former rhythm guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which he left at the height of its fame in 1991. Following his departure, he led his own band Izzy...
showed up an hour later, Hamilton booked Hollywood Rose
Hollywood Rose
Hollywood Rose was an American hard rock group formed in 1983 and is best known as the precursor group for what would eventually become Guns N' Roses. The group was founded by Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin and Chris Weber while they were aided during live shows by Rick Mars, Johnny Kreis, Steve Darrow...
(Rose and Stradlin's band prior to Guns and Roses) sight unseen based on the strength of that demo.
Hamilton was also booking Stryper and Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
's band, Black Sheep. Vicky introduced Slash to Axl when Hollywood Rose opened for Black Sheep and Stryper at the Music Machine, in West LA. Shortly after Chris Weber
Chris Weber
Chris Weber is is an American musician best known as the guitarist and founder of the groups U.P.O. and Hollywood Rose...
(guitarist of Hollywood Rose) departure for New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Slash became the guitarist, followed by Steven Adler
Steven Adler
Steven Adler is an American musician. He is best known as the former drummer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s...
on drums and Duff McKagen on bass. The original lineup of Guns and Roses was then born. Hamilton a big supporter of the band began to take on management duties when they moved into a rehearsal space near Howie Hubberman's guitar shop, Guitars R Us, which was off Sunset. The band was always in trouble with the law, the LAPD was looking for Axl Rose. Slash convinced Vicky to let Axl hide out at her apartment until it blew over.
Over the next six months, all the members of the band (with the exception of McKagen who lived with his girlfriend) moved into Hamilton's one bedroom apartment on Clarke St. in West Hollywood, which she was already sharing with Jennifer Perry.
Hamilton booked many great live shows for the band, got them a lawyer and took many meeting with major record companies. Vicky convinced Howie Hubberman to invest $25,000 in gear, clothes and rehearsals. As a result of her efforts and the bands talent, a major label bidding war ensued and on March 26. 1986, Guns and Roses signed with Geffen Records.
Hamilton took an A&R consulting job at Geffen Records soon after agreeing to let the label find the band major management. She went on to manage Darling Cruel, Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1986. The group was most successful during the late 1980s with their self-titled debut album, their 1989 gold album Wake Me When It's Over and the 80,000 selling Whipped! in 1992.-The roots of Faster Pussycat...
, The Lostboys and Salty Dog
Salty Dog (Band)
Salty Dog was a hard-rock band formed in late 1986 in Los Angeles by Jimmi Bleacher, Scott Lane, Michael Hannon and Khurt Maier. The band released its first and only major-label record in 1990, titled "Every Dog Has Its Day," composed of all original songs except for a cover of Willie Dixon's...
securing them all major record deals. Hamilton later took a full time A&R job at Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
and brought in deals for Salty Dog, Rick Parker, Half Way Home, I, Napoleon and The Graveyard Train. Hamilton worked at Geffen Records from 1988 to 1992. Guns and Roses did not pay back the loan to Hubberman, and this resulted in Hamilton suing the band, the matter was settled out of court.
The 90s
Hamilton continued to manage many bands and artists. Working at Lookout Management/Vapor Records where she managed American recording artist The Freewheelers and TVT Recording artist, Portable. She also took an interest in painters and developed a relationship with lowbrow artist Ron English, repping him for special project and album jackets. Vicky also repped The Street Phantom, a tagger whom she bailed out of jail, whom went on to do the album jacket for Rage Against the MachineRage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, "The Battle of Los Angeles
The Battle of Los Angeles (album)
-Track listing:All songs written and arranged by Rage Against the Machine and all lyrics by Zack de la Rocha.#"Testify" – 3:30#"Guerrilla Radio" – 3:26#"Calm Like a Bomb" – 4:58#"Mic Check" – 3:33#"Sleep Now in the Fire" – 3:25#"Born of a Broken Man" – 4:41...
."
While managing The Freewheelers, who were label mates with Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, they were invited to open for the man in black at the House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
. Backstage after the show in 1996, Hamilton told label president Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
and artist Tom Petty
Tom Petty
Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
how much she enjoyed Johnny's performance and particularly Johnny’s sidekick and wife, June Carter Cash
June Carter Cash
Valerie June Carter Cash was an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, comedienne and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash...
. Rubin suggested that Hamilton make a record with June and this started a friendship between Carter-Cash and Hamilton. Vicky shopped the idea of making a record with June to every major label in town and was shocked that no one wanted to do it! This resulted in Hamilton starting her own label, Small Hairy Dog in 1999, SHD joint ventured with Risk Records to produce Press On. In 2000 the album won a Grammy for best traditional folk record.
1997, In addition to starting her own label, Hamilton followed her friend Gary Gersh who hired her at Licorice Pizza and she worked with at Geffen Records to Capitol Records as an A&R consultant, where she worked until 1999. Hamilton started her own management company, Aesthetic V in 2001. She manages, consults and represents several musical acts and visual artists. See website.
for current roster.
She booked famous Hollywood club, Bar Sinister from 2001–2010 and profiled A&R people for The A&R Registry from 2005 to 2010. Hamilton also taught at the Musician's Institute from 2007 to 2009.
Currently
Currently Vicky's muse has been writing, she has co-written two screenplays and a musical play. The musical play, Glitter Beach (co-written with Robbie Quine, Quine is writing all the music) has been picked up by director Daniel Henning and he is overseeing the rewrites, it will be ready for the stage in 2012. Hamilton is also making a documentary about the music business called "Until The Music Ends" with partner Bill WatsonBill Watson
William James Watson is an Australian cricketer who played in four Tests in 1955.A right-hand opening batsman, he made a century for New South Wales against the MCC at Sydney in 1954-55 in his second first-class match.He played in the Sydney Test commencing 25 February 1955, opening with Colin...
(Midnight Train Media). The film will debut in some time in 2012. Hamilton is also working on an autobiography.
TV Appearances
Biography Channel:- Guns and Roses
- Brett Michaels
VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
- Driven, Motley Crue
- Behind the Music, Guns and Roses
- Do it for the Band, Women of the Sunset Strip
- When Metal Ruled The World
- Vicky will have an upcoming interview on Grunge and Glam coming out on VH1 in March
- Popaganda-The Art and Crimes of Ron English
- Hollywood Rocks! The Ultimate Documentary
- Vicky was interviewed on Axl Rose the Prettiest Star DVD UK release also on two Metal Head video magazines Volume one and two
Book References
- My Appetite for Destruction Steven Adler
- Watch You Bleed The Saga of Guns and Roses by Stephen Davis
- Slash by Slash with Anthony Bozza
- Record Store Days by Gary Calamar and Phil Gallo
- Hollywood Rocks by Cleopatra