Soul singer and recording star Kenny Hamber grew up in East Baltimore’s Lafayette housing projects. His early groups included the Del Rios which was managed by Lou Krefetz, and the Re-Echoes who could be seen in the early ‘60s at Steve’s Lounge on Central Avenue. He also appeared locally at the New Colony Club, Old Tahiti Club, Carousel, Famous Ballroom, Black Jack, and shows at Carr’s Beach, Wilmer’s Park (near D.C.)…
Above – Ru-Jac Records publicity photo Kenny – photo courtesy of James Gilyard
Kenny’s first record “Tears in My Eyes” (1960) was produced and recorded by WSID radio personality Bill ‘Sparky’ Mullen on his Spar label (two distinctly different versions were released on Spar 101. One has a soulful feel with guitar, the other which has a group / background vocals was recorded in New York). The song was subsequently rerecorded and released on the Zenette label (named after Sparky’s daughter).
With backing by the Shyndel’s band, Kenny toured nationally and played large scale local events at the Civic Center, Famous Ballroom, Coliseum, Carr’s Beach…
In the mid-’60s Hamber sang with the Philadelphia based group The Enchanters backing hit artist Garnett Mimms on tours throughout the country. The group recorded demos under the direction of Cardinals / Clovers manager Lou Krefetz, but they were never released.
In 1969 Kenny became the lead singer of a group called the Hitchhikers. The group also featured occasional female lead vocals by Vonda Maria, and later by Ru-Jac recording artist Kitty Karl.
Hamber eventually moved to New England and formed a new Hitchhikers band that recorded on ABC Records.
Kenny continued to perform, touring worldwide in the ‘00s. When not on the road he worked as a DJ at WKND – Hartford, Connecticut.
Kenny and his group toured Europe in support of their 2001 CD release. He returned to Baltimore in 2002 where he performed a special show at the Arch Social Club on Pennsylvania and North Avenues. With K&B Productions Kenny organized and performed at the 1st annual Baltimore All Stars R&B Reunion show on May 31, 2003 at the 5th Regiment Armory, and the 2nd Reunion concert on April 20, 2007 at the Patapsco Arena.
This is a very good bio found posted on iTunes:
“In too deep to get out, Hamber sang where and when he could and kept his eyes open for hookups. One came with a soul group based out of Bridgeport, CT, the Hitchhikers, who cut a critically acclaimed self-titled album in 1976 for ABC/Dunhill Records.”
“When that well dried, Hamber went into recording hibernation and didn’t emerge until 1996 when MCK Records dropped his first solo album – “This Is R&B,” which features a heart-shattering rendition of Charles Kipps’ “Walk Away From Love,” popularized by David Ruffin. A second solo album, “In a Romantic Mood,” has spread his reputation even further. Hamber gigs regularly from Connecticut to Baltimore with the Kenny Hamber Revue, playing spots like Arch Social Club in Baltimore and Elizabeth Rose Garden in Hartford, CT.”
In 2007 Kenny released his Best of Kenny Hamber CD along with a limited-edition vinyl single reissue of his 1966 Arctic release “Anything You Want.”
Kenny Hamber’s autobiography “Tears In My Eyes” was published in 2013 and is available from Amazon.
Record releases by Kenny Hamber:
1960 Spar 101 Tears in My Eyes / Do the Hully Gully
1961 Zenette 101 Tears in My Eyes / Do the Hully Gully
1964 De Jac 1264 Show Me Your Monkey / Time
1966 Arctic 131 Anything You Want / Ain’t Gonna Cry (Over One Girl)
1967 Arctic 139 Looking for A Love / These Arms of Mine
1969 Mean 200 Let’s Do That Camel Walk / Camel Walk
1986(12”) Million Dollar Never Found a Girl /
1996(CD) MCK 123 This Is R&B
2001(CD) MCK In a Romantic Mood
2007(CD) It’s Soul Time 002 The Best of Kenny Hamber
2007 It’s Soul Time 003 Anything You Want / Never Found a Girl
