Carroll Thompson facts for kids

Carroll Thompson is a famous British singer. She is known as the "Queen of Lovers Rock." Lovers rock is a smooth, romantic style of reggae music.

Biography

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Carroll Thompson was born in England. Her family came from Jamaica. When she was young, she learned to play the classical piano. She also sang in her school and church choirs. At first, she planned to work in pharmacy.

But then, Carroll started singing backup for other artists. She tried out for a group called Sugar Cane. This led her to work in many recording studios.

Solo Success and Awards

Soon, Carroll Thompson began her own singing career. Her first big hits were "I'm So Sorry" and "Simply in Love." She wrote both of these songs herself. They became number one songs on the reggae charts in 1981. That same year, she released her first album, Hopelessly in Love. This album sold over a million copies around the world!

Carroll won two important awards in 1982. These were the GLR Reggae Awards. She won for Best Female Performer and Best Song. The song was "Hopelessly In Love." In 1983, she won Best Female Performer again. She also sang duets with other reggae stars. These included Sugar Minott and Trevor Walters. She kept having solo hits on the reggae charts too.

Joining Floy Joy and Other Projects

In 1984, Carroll Thompson joined a band called Floy Joy. This band played jazz-funk music. She sang on one of their albums. They had two smaller hits: "Until You Come Back to Me" and "Operator."

Later, in 1987, she sang with Roddy Frame from the band Aztec Camera. They sang the song "One and One."

Later Career and Collaborations

After Floy Joy, Carroll Thompson's new songs were fewer for a while. But in 1990, she sang lead vocals on a new version of Diana Ross's song "I'm Still Waiting." She recorded it with Aswad and Courtney Pine. This song became a hit in the UK Singles Chart. That same year, she also had hits with Movement 98. These songs were "Joy & Heartbreak" and "Sunrise."

In 1992, her song "Let the Music Play" was part of the movie The Crying Game. The movie's soundtrack won awards. In 1993, she worked with Neil "Mad Professor" Fraser on an album called The Other Side of Love.

In 2018, Carroll Thompson recorded an album to honor the singer Phyllis Dillon. This album was released in 2019.

Carroll Thompson has also worked as a session singer. This means she sings backup for many famous artists. Some of these include Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, Boy George, Maxi Priest, Sting, Billy Ocean, Chaka Khan, Aswad and M People. She also helped start Colourtelly. This was Britain's first internet TV station for black interest.

Personal life

Carroll is married to Radio 5 Live presenter Dotun Adebayo.

Discography

Albums

• Hopelessly in Love (1981) Carib Gems (UK Indie Albums #22)
• Carroll Thompson (1983) Carousel
• The Other Side of Love (1993) Ariwa
• Collectively (1998) Boot Street
• The Ultimate Collection
• Love Songs Victor
• Flying (2008) Victor
• Feels So Good (2011), Heritage

Singles

• "Just a Little Bit" (1982)
• "Smiling in the Morning" (1982)
• "Make It with You" (Carroll Thompson and Sugar Minott, 1983)
• "Strangest Love Affair" (1986) (UK #121)
• "Love Without Passion" (1987)
• "Joy and Heartbreak" (Movement 98 featuring Carroll Thompson, 1990) (UK #27)
• "I'm Still Waiting" (Courtney Pine featuring Carroll Thompson, 1990) (UK #66)
• "Sunrise" (Movement 98 featuring Carroll Thompson, 1990) (UK #58)