Jimmy Thomas (January 20, 1939 – April 25, 2022) was an American soul singer and songwriter. He was best known as a vocalist for Ike Turner. Thomas joined Turner's Kings of Rhythm in 1958, and remained with the band when the Ike & Tina Turner Revue was formed in 1960. He released solo singles on Turner's labels Sue, Sputnik, and Sonja Records. After his departure from Turner, Thomas continued recording as a solo artist, eventually relocating to London. He formed his own label, Osceola Records, in 1979. When Lassiter failed to show up for the recording session, one of Turner's background vocalists, Little Ann, sang the lead. Little Ann was renamed Tina Turner, and the single was released on Sue Records. Following the success of the single, Turner formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue which included the Kings of Rhythm and a trio of female vocalists called the Ikettes. In between touring, Turner formed multiple record labels to release singles. His rendition of "Down In The Valley" is included on the revue's follow-up live album, Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show, released in 1965.

Solo career

While the Ike & Tina Turner Revue were touring the UK with the Rolling Stones in 1966, Thomas befriended producers Denny Cordell and Tony Visconti, who invited him to learn production.

Jimmy Thomas was buried alongside his wife Kathleen in Dallington, Northamptonshire, UK.

Discography

Albums

  • 1973: Abyss

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)

Features

  • 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

References

  • Osceola Records