George Hamilton

George "Spike" Hamilton (January 13, 1901 – March 31, 1957) was a popular bandleader and songwriter Among the musicians in the band were Ray Robbins, Spike Jones, and Leighton Noble.

Born in Newport, Vermont, as George William Hamilton, After leaving Dartmouth his orchestra played in Chicago and then in Atlantic City at the Million Dollar Pier. In the early 1930s he began recording with Rudy Vallee and George White's Scandals.

His first song, "Bye Bye, Pretty Baby" was published in 1927. Other songs included "Betty Co-ed", "I'll Never Forget", "Somebody Nobody Loves", and "What Am I Supposed to Do." That marriage lasted until 1943. Early in 1945 he married June Howard, who was a singer in his band. In his actor son's 2008 memoir, Don't Mind if I Do, George Hamilton said that he had sexual relations with June Howard, then his stepmother, at the age of 12, and then years later when he was an adult.

Hamilton returned to New York in 1944 and in his final years worked in sales in the perfume industry. He was survived by four children and a brother. He was buried at a cemetery in Newport.