David L Hamilton, beloved resident of Topanga, passed away on June 20th, 2025
David Hamilton, keyboardist and founding member of prog rock group Pavlov’s Dog, and composer of the opening to their iconic song, “Julia”, passed away on June 20, at the age of 74.
David’s creative genius shone brightly across various mediums. His award-winning work as a writer, producer, director and composer has encompassed network prime-time series and specials for HBO and SHOWTIME, PBS series and specials, syndicated tv comedy specials, IMAX films, children’s films, and acclaimed theatrical-release documentaries.
He studied English Literature at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, whilst also studying classical piano. He then attended the University of Stirling in Scotland on an English Literature Exchange Fellowship, during which time he furthered his piano study at the Royal Academy of Music in Edinburgh.
David returned to his hometown of St. Louis to co-found Pavlov’s Dog, landing a five-album record deal with ABC-Dunhill and CBS Records, and garnering numerous Gold and Platinum Records in the process. The band performed on national and international tours with The Jefferson Starship, ELO, Journey, Kraftwerk, and many other top acts. He recently joined the remaining group for a sold-out 50th anniversary tour in the US, Germany, Greece and Belgium.
Leaving the band after three albums, David turned his attention to professional writing as a free-lance journalist and filmmaker, learning his craft at Premiere Film and Recording Corporation in St. Louis, before selling his first screenplay and relocating to Los Angeles. There, he worked as a producer/writer at PBS stations KCET and KOCE, winning numerous awards for his scripts, scores, and directing. From that point on, he worked as a film/tv writer and composer, often performing both functions on the same projects.
David and his wife, Janet, were married at the storied Mountain Mermaid in 1999. They moved to Topanga later that year. Their daughter, Lily, was born in 2000 and grew up with a true love of the Canyon. David was delighted to base his recording studio out of their home, where he had just completed a music book for advanced piano students and was close to completing his current musical project, TILL THE RIVERS RISE, with book, lyrics and music written by him. It’s the culmination of his unique career in the worlds of both dramatic writing and song composition, bringing the two together in a story about the American heartland that only he could write.
He was an active member of the Topanga community, playing the role of the mysterious and magical Uncle Drosselmeyer in the Topanga Nutcracker for many years. He also served on the board of “City Hearts, Kids Say YES to the Arts,” run by Sherry and Bob Jason.
David was known in the Canyon as an avid gardener and helped countless people, young and old, grow organic vegetables. His gardens always produced the tallest sunflowers that popped up over the fence, delighting passersby.
To know him was to love him. He had the remarkable ability to make everyone feel valued and special —no matter who you were, or where you came from, he was your instant friend, and he was genuinely interested in YOUR well-being and your story.
In keeping with David’s wishes, he was laid to rest in a green burial site overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a fitting tribute to his love for nature and beauty.
David was a unique person that you come across once in a lifetime—he will be deeply missed by family and his many friends.
A light that burns so bright leaves a huge chasm when it departs this mortal world.
He is survived by his wife, Janet, and daughter, Lily.
