Jimmy Thomas facts for kids

Jimmy Thomas (born January 20, 1939 – died April 25, 2022) was an American singer and songwriter. He was famous for his soulful voice. Jimmy sang with the band of Ike Turner.

Thomas joined Ike Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm, in 1958. He stayed with them when the Ike & Tina Turner Revue started in 1960. Jimmy also released his own songs. These were on labels like Sue and Sonja Records. After leaving Ike Turner, Jimmy kept making music as a solo artist. He later moved to London, England. In 1979, he even started his own music company called Osceola Records.

Life and Career

Early Years

Jimmy Thomas was born in Osceola, Arkansas, on January 20, 1939. His aunt and uncle raised him. Growing up, Jimmy loved listening to blues musicians. Some of his favorites were Big Maceo and Sonny Boy Williamson. Blues music often tells stories about life's challenges.

As a teenager, Jimmy started his first band. They called themselves the Rock and Roll Trays. They played popular R&B and blues songs. They performed in clubs around Osceola. In 1958, another famous musician, Albert King, suggested something big. He told Jimmy to go to East St. Louis. There, Jimmy could try out to be a singer for Ike Turner's band.

Joining the Kings of Rhythm

By 1956, Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm were very popular. They were a top live band in the St. Louis area. In 1958, Ike Turner needed a new singer. Their previous vocalist, Clayton Love, had left. Jimmy Thomas joined the band to replace him. Soon after, another singer named Tommy Hodge also joined.

Around this time, Ike Turner changed his band's sound. They started playing more R&B music. Before, they mostly played blues. In 1958, Jimmy made his first recordings with the group. This happened during their sessions for Cobra Records in Chicago. He sang on some of Ike Turner's songs released in 1959. While in St. Louis, Jimmy also performed with other musicians like Benny Sharp.

With the Ike and Tina Turner Revue

In 1960, Ike Turner wrote a song called "A Fool in Love". It was meant for another singer. But that singer didn't show up for the recording. So, one of Ike's backup singers, Little Ann, sang the main part. Little Ann was later renamed Tina Turner. The song became a big hit.

After this success, Ike formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. This group included the Kings of Rhythm. It also featured a group of female singers called the Ikettes. In 1961, Jimmy and an Ikette named Wilhelmina Weaver released a song together. They were called Jimmy & Jean. Their song was "I Can't Believe."

Ike & Tina Turner had many hit songs. So, in 1962, Ike moved the band to Los Angeles. When their records stopped selling as well, they toured a lot. Jimmy remembered, "We would only be in L.A. three months out of the year, we be touring like nine months." Since they couldn't rely on hit records, they made their live shows even better. They added exciting dance routines. Jimmy and Tina Turner would often change the routines. They even had dance battles on stage!

In 1962, Jimmy released his own song called "You Can Go." While touring, Ike Turner started several record labels. Jimmy released solo songs on Ike's labels, Sputnik and Sonja. In 1964, the Revue released their first live album. It was called Ike & Tina Turner Revue Live. On this album, Jimmy sang "Feel So Good" by Junior Parker. His version of "Down In The Valley" is on their next live album. That album was Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show, released in 1965.

Solo Music Career

In 1966, the Ike & Tina Turner Revue toured the UK. They were with the Rolling Stones. During this time, Jimmy became friends with music producers Denny Cordell and Tony Visconti. They invited him to learn about producing music. In 1966, Jimmy released a song called "Where There's a Will (There's a Way)."

After leaving Ike & Tina Turner, Jimmy worked different jobs in Los Angeles. Then, in 1969, he moved to London. He started producing his own solo records. One famous song was "The Beautiful Night." It was released in 1969. In 1973, Jimmy wrote and produced a solo album called Abyss. It was released by Contempo, a London record company. In 1979, Jimmy started his own record label, Osceola Records.

From the 1970s onwards, Jimmy also sang backup vocals for many other artists. These included Gary Wright, David Essex, and Madness.

Passing Away

Jimmy Thomas passed away in April 2022. His friend, singer P. P. Arnold, shared the news online.

Discography

Albums

• 1973: Abyss

Albums with Ike and Tina Turner

• 1964: Ike & Tina Turner Revue Live
• 1965: Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show
• 2012: Ike Turner Studio Productions: New Orleans and Los Angeles 1963–1965

Singles

• 1961: Jimmy & Jean – "I Can't Believe" / "I Want Marry You" (Sue 743)
• 1961: "I Must Be Crazy"/"Every Day I Wake Up Crying" (Play Back Record PO-0037A)
• 1962: "You Can Go"/"Hurry And Come Home" (Sue 778)
• 1963: "The Darkest Hour"/"The Little Cheater" (Sputnik 10001)
• 1964: "You've Tasted Anothers Lips"/"I Love Nobody But You" (Sonja 2004)
• 1966: "Where There's A Will"/"Just Trying To Please You" (Mirwood 5522)
• 1969: "The Beautiful Night"/"Above A Whisper" (Parlophone R 5773)
• 1970: "(We Ain't Here Looking For) No Trouble"/"Springtime" (Spark SRL 1035)
• 1971: "White Dove"/"You Don't Have To Say Goodbye" (Sire 45-4121)
• 1973: "All God's Children"/"The Weak-End Is Mine" (Contempo C 8)
• 1975: "Beautiful Night"/"I Can't Live My Life Without You" (20th Century Records BTC 1002)
• 1981: "Hang Right On In There"/"Driving Wheel" (Osceola Records OSC 2)
• 1982: "Standing Alone In A Crowd"/"Mister Are You Famous" (Cricket LBW 002)
• 2002: "We Got Togetherness"/"Secret Doors To Secret Places" (Smoke City SMC 9001)

Featured Singles

• 1959: "Jack Rabbit"/"In Your Eyes Baby" (Stevens 104) with Icky Renrut (alias for Ike Turner)
• 1959: "Hey – Hey"/"Ho – Ho" (Stevens 107) with Icky Renrut (alias for Ike Turner)
• 1980: "Just A Matter Of Time" (Laser LAS 34) with Zen

Backing Vocal Credits

• 1971: Street Singer – Mick Softley
• 1971: Footprint – Gary Wright
• 1972: Queues – Vigrass & Osborne
• 1973: Rock On – David Essex
• 1973: Now Hear This – Hanson
• 1976: Thunder into Our Hearts – Jabula
• 1978: Midnight Ride – Barbara Pennington
• 1981: One Step Higher – Voyage
• 1983: Blue Fun – Mikael Rickfors
• 1985: Easy Pieces – Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
• 1985: Mad Not Mad – Madness
• 1986: Salamandra – Miguel Bosé
• 1987: Face To Face – Barclay James Harvest
• 1988: Rich And Famous – Blue Mercedes
• 1988: When The Night Begins – Ellert
• 1999: My Beauty – Kevin Rowland