Timmy Thomas

Biography

Timothy Earle Thomas (November 13, 1944 – March 11, 2022) was an American R&B singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer, best known for the hit song, "Why Can't We Live Together".

Life and career

Thomas was born in Evansville, Indiana, on November 13, 1944, one of twelve siblings. He first attracted interest in his work as an accompanist with Donald Byrd and Cannonball Adderley, before working as a session musician in Memphis, Tennessee, and releasing singles on the Goldwax Records label. He had little solo success until he moved to Glades Records in Miami, Florida, and in late 1972 he released "Why Can't We Live Together". The record topped the U.S. Billboard R&B chart, made the top three on the Billboard Hot 100, and top 20 in other countries including the United Kingdom where it peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. This disc sold over two million copies.

He was earlier part of a group called Phillip & the Faithfuls, which also included the singer Phillip Reynolds, releasing material for the Goldwax imprint, including "Love Me", "What'Cha Gonna Do" and "'If You Love Her" (all in 1964). He then became a session musician in Memphis, continuing to release solo sides for Goldwax, including "Have Some Boogaloo". He also released "It's My Life" in 1967. In 1970, he had switched labels to the Climax imprint and one side called "What's Bothering Me". Relocating to Miami, Florida, in 1972, Thomas played sessions for the TK group labels, signing to the Glades Records imprint, where, later that year, he released "Why Can't We Live Together".Thomas followed up the release with "People Are Changin'" (B-side "Rainbow Power") which reached the charts in 1973. In 1974, he released the album You're the Song I've Always Wanted to Sing×You're the Song I've Always Wanted to Sing1974 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1You're the Song (I've Always Wanted to Sing)3:37A2I've Got to See You Tonight3:16A3Sweet Brown Sugar3:11A4Deep in You3:41A5Spread Us Around2:58B1One Brief Moment3:48B2What Can I Tell Her5:45B3Ebony Affair3:51B4Let Me Be Your Eyes3:49. He went on to release six further Glades singles and then, in 1975 recorded a duet with Betty Wright entitled "It's What They Can't See". From 1976 through 1980, Thomas recorded singles for both the Glades imprint and the T.K. Disco label, including "Stone to the Bone", "Africano", "Touch to Touch", "The Magician×The Magician1976 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1The MagicianA2Say Love, Can You Chase Away My Blues?A3Stone to the BoneA4Show Me TendernessB1Watch It! Watch It! Watch It! For Dudley Dudley DoriteB2Make Peace With YourselfB3Let My People GoB4Don't Put It DownB5Running Out of Time", "Freak In, Freak Out" and "Drown in My Own Tears" and the albums The Magician (Glades, 1976) and Touch to Touch (Glades, 1977). He also continued to work on sessions for TK Records artists, including Gwen McCrae, and in later years as a producer.
Thomas went on to record several R&B hits culminating in "Gotta Give a Little Love (Ten Years After)×Gotta Give A Little Love (Ten Years After)1984 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1Love Is Never Too Late3:55A2Gotta Give A Little Love (Ten Years After)4:35A3Hard Hat4:04A4Same Ole Song3:37B1My Last Affair4:03B2Making Up With You3:39B3Tonite Tonite3:47B4Let It Flow3:54B5Freedom Is Within4:32", a U.S. top 30 soul entry in 1984 for Gold Mountain Records. Thomas appeared on Nicole McCloud's 1985 album What About Me?, singing on a duet with her called "New York Eyes". This track reached number 41 in the UK.
In the 1990s, he worked as a producer for LaFace Records and released the album With Heart and Soul for DTM Records. Also, his song "(Dying Inside) To Hold You" was a hit in the Philippines, and gained further popularity in 2017 when it was covered by Darren Espanto for the film All of You.
In 2015, Drake sampled Thomas' signature hit, "Why Can't We Live Together", on his single "Hotline Bling".
Thomas died of cancer on March 11, 2022, at the age of 77.