Monday, June 04, 2007

R&Bobit: Tony Thompson

Lead singer with US R&B act Hi Five, Tony Thompson, has been found dead at a Waco apartment block. It's believed he died from an OD. [UPDATE: The autopsy suggested the death was due to poisoning following inhalation of air-conditioning refrigerants rather than illegal drugs.]

Thompson grew up in Oklahoma City, where, like many of his generation, his first public muscial engagements were church-based

Although largely unknown outside the US, in the 1990s Hi-Five sold records by the shedload, peaking with the 1991 number one hit I Like The Way (The Kissing Game). This was also their biggest UK hit, stalling at number 43 in the chart. Nevertheless, the band ran out of steam very quickly, and although they managed three albums, by 1994 it was all over, and the band went to pieces.

Tony went on to release a solo album - Sexsational - to a muted response; aware that his best hope was to reactivate the Hi Five brand, but unable to persuade his other members to commit, he simply 'reformed' the band by recruiting four new members to back him up, including his brother Jordan. This new Hi Five released an album in 2006, the Return, which failed to achieve the heights of the first version of the band.

Tony Thompson was 31.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

TONY WILL BE MISSED AND SEXSATIONAL WAS A GREAT C.D. IF YOU GET A CHANCE IT IS WORTH BUYING MUAHHHH MUCH LOVE TO HIS FAMILY CYOURMAJESTY2@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I loved the group Hi-Five as a kid and LOVED hearing the songs as an adult. The songs take me back to a wonderful time. I will miss the fact that someone from my generation is gone. Tony had such a wonderful voice. I am very sorry to his family and friends for this very tragic loss. God Bless.

Unknown said...

well mr.thompson i was shock to hear about ur passing. i loved that song u had off ur sexsational album. i wanna love like that was one of my favorite songs. well my thoughts and prayers are with the thompson family and hi five. may u rest and peace baby and my thoughts and prayers are also with u tony.

dimples said...

Little Tony, I love you cousin. Your dimples and smile will be missed. But I will always remember your grace. Love you Auntie and cousins, -- in the words of lit' Tony. God Bless. gianna.

Anonymous said...

I am still upset over the terrible news of Tony's passing.

I have always cursed the entertainment industry and will continue to curse it for what it does to people. Not everyone is capable of dealing with the industry and the snakes that work in it, even the people who think their strong. This death should have never happened. It's a shame that Tony did not experience the love that we are showing him now that he is gone. I believe that things would be different if he knew he was so loved.

You are at peace now sweet angel. You can sing in the choir above where there is not hurt, no passing judgement and no pain.

You'll be missed but no forgotten.

Good Bye Sweet Angel.

VCR said...

I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a wonderful artist and musician. Tony Thompson's music takes me back to one of the most precious times of my life, my childhood. Tony, you should be proud to know that your music has played such an integral role in shaping memories and moments in so many people's lives. I will never forget you.

Hugs and Kisses!!!

Victoria

Anonymous said...

TONY WAS A ROLE MODEL FOR ME GROWING UP IN CENTRAL TEXAS AND I LOVED EVERYSONG HE CAME OUT WITH WITH HI-5 AND SEXSATIONAL WAS GREAT WITH HANDLE OUR BUISNESS WITH HIM BEING THE SAME AGE AS ME IT WAS REALLY A SHOCK AND I STILL CANT BELIEVE HES GONE A TRUE MEMBER OF MY HEART IS NOW GONE BUT IN A BETTER PLACE ITS SUCH A TRAGEDY THAT HE HAD TO GO BEFORE HIS TIME BUT GOD HAS A PLACE FOR HIM NOW LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU UP THERE T you will always be the brother i never had and always in my heart jjamestre2121@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Sesaynell@yahoo.com says....

I'M VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE DEATH OF TONY. I AM A BIG FAN, I OWN EVERY CD HE EVER HAD. I'M EVEN MORE SADDEN TO HEAR THAT HE DIED ON MY BIRTHDAY. I WISH HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS THE BEST, AND I'LL KEEP YOU ALL IN MY PRAYERS.

Anonymous said...

Umm...I don't know what muted audience they speak of. Tony Thompson has always and will always be a great talented singer. He was "Hi-Five" not just the lead singer. Sexsational was a tight cd they just didn't promote it good enough. If you weren't really fan you probably wouldn't have known he had a solo album. But ask people if they remember "I want a love like that" or "Come over" I gurantee they do. Matter of fact ask how may people remember the members of HI Five with out a doubt most people can only named TONY. God rest his soul. I don't care what you went through in life Tone you are still my #1. Rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

my heart still breaks to this day after i learnt about tony's passing. I alway wanted to know what became of him. Lo and behold, after doing a search on him ttwo years after his death, I was dumbfounded. It blew me away. Tears ;( .Tony, you were my teenage crush. God knows i loved you growing up. I can feel the pain of your ffamily and close friends. God gives and he takes away. Only you knew the pain you were feeling. R.I.P BABY. Your #1 fan.

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