Ken Hamilton

aka The SpiderMan - that crazy web slinger

May 14, 1973 - December 22, 2000

I have a cheap ring I bought over a year ago at a local shop, and I've worn it every day since. When the orange stone fell out a while back, I knew I'd keep wearing it even though there's no replacing the piece. The ring's never been the same, but I grew used to that void. The missing color is just another part of life, now.

At the radio station we've come to take for granted those one of a kind independent types who still have the room to be part of something. Ken Hamilton was all about breaking bread with spirited, real folks, whatever their interest. Lucky for all, he found enough of them here and stayed.

On top of our radio performance trip, the 2 of us shared day jobs. And reliably, despite retail stress and station madness, a heart to heart about the meaning of life/music/humans, or how inseparable they all were to us, was never far behind. The man was no less than solid. Always a rock... Not to mention certified wise ass. I speak for too many when saying I will miss it like a lost limb.

Drawing from his strength, I've become convinced of this - we avoid it constantly, but tragedy is as normal as fire on a match, only the burn is hotter. The real puzzle is how we manage to escape it for such long stretches of time. Ken did for as long as possible, so did those who loved him.

When I began the task of putting our deceased brother into words for a public to read, it felt absurd, and I found a lot of brick walls. Hamilton would've insisted they be destroyed, so I did my best. A sentimental parallel to him splitting from our lives wouldn't have been Ken's first choice for tribute, but an appreciative glare always outshined his rolling eyes. Along with one of the sturdiest mentalities we'll ever know, he was never one for smoke and mirrors. Every statement was pure as black, clear as white. A crude form of gospel, 100% honesty & reality driven. It was that natural control we admired most. Charmed and so rare.

Ken Hamilton is proof that we really can't outstretch our human limits... but with enough guts we can die trying.

Memories are golden, so was the shirt off your back. Thanks, pal.

— Jason Biggs, KFJC 2001

Ken's love of and devotion to music inspires his family to request that any charitable contributions you would like to make in his memory be given in his name to Sweet Relief Musician's Fund:

Sweet Relief
Box 39666
Los Angeles, CA 90039

The Ken Hamilton and Jessica Diane Scholarship

Show your faith
Believe in someone
Transform a life

This a district-wide scholarship for full-time liberal arts or creative arts students. The award rotates among the three colleges: Cañada, College of San Mateo and Skyline. See here for more details.