I’m pleased to introduce a new segment here at RamseyEss.com: Famous Hamsters in History (brought to you by State Farm Insurance), celebrating it’s seventh appearance on the site!

David: Former Member of A Flock of Seagulls

In 1982, A Flock of Seagulls, led by Mike Score, flew to the top of the charts with their song “I Ran (So Far Away)” from their debut self-titled album. Their newfound success was bittersweet, however, as the trio mourned the loss of their bandmate that did not live to bask in their celebrity: David the Hamster.

David and lead singer Mike Score met in 1979 in Liverpool at a local salon where Mike worked. The two bonded over their love of French New Wave cinema, Roland keyboards and dried corn. Along with Mike’s brother Ali, the three started a band, originally known as “The Seagulls.”

One initial stumbling block for the band was the amplification of David’s Mini-Roland HR-34. Any hamster-sized amp would be overshadowed by the sound from the rest of the band and any attempt at utilizing a regular speaker would frighten David who would return to his nest. Eventually, David devised his unique hairstyle with the help of Mike Score to protect his sensitive hamster ears.

Unfortunately, in the time the band would spend on solving this problem, David: The Hamster would die of old age. Mike Score would then adopt this hairstyle in honor of David.

Flash forward to 1984. The band, now including Frank Maudsley, releases it’s third album, “The Story of a Young Heart.” A very special song was released to radio stations across the country as it’s third single from the album entitled “Remember David,” a touching tribute to their fallen hamster friend.

It failed to chart anywhere.