November 14, 2003
R.I.P. Tony Thompson
Not only the drummer for Chic and The Power Station, but also on David Bowie's "Let's Dance", Madonna's "Like A Virgin".. he filled a whole lot of dancefloors (and digital samplers) in his lifetime.
Chic's Tony Thompson Dies
Tony Thompson, one of the premier session drummers of the past twenty-five years, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles of renal cell cancer at age forty-eight. The former member of Seventies disco funk band Chic, Thompson had worked with everyone from David Bowie to Madonna to Diana Ross.
Born in New York on November 15, 1954, Thompson came to prominence on the late-Seventies disco scene, thanks to his funky, rock influenced big-beat style. After sitting in with LaBelle, Thompson met Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, with whom he formed Chic in 1976. The band's 1977 debut featured the hit "Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)," but they became disco legends with 1978's C'est Chic, which contained the number one classic "Le Freak," as well as the rollerboogie anthem "Good Times."
"The thing that was most apparent about Tony as a drummer was his sense of inventiveness and cleverness," says Rodgers. "All three of us had roots in jazz, fusion and rock, which is why he would never think of the typical R&B drum fill . . . He just cherished those brilliant moments to sparkle."
Chic disbanded in 1983, and Thompson became an in-demand session musician, working with Debbie Harry, Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, David Bowie and Madonna.
In 1985, he joined Duran Duran members Andy and John Taylor and the late Robert Palmer in the supergroup Power Station, whose hit singles "Some Like It Hot" and the T. Rex cover "Get It On (Bang a Gong)" were driven by Thompson's propulsive drumming.
A longtime rock fan, Thompson got the gig of a lifetime in 1985 when he was asked to sit in with the remaining members of Led Zeppelin when they played at the Live Aid benefit concert at Philadelphia's JFK Stadium. Thompson then joined the Zeppelin trio for some secret recording sessions in 1986. Rumors of a reunion were quashed, however, when Thompson was involved in a serious car accident later that year.
He remained a prolific session drummer throughout the late Eighties, working with Robert Palmer, Duran Duran, Rod Stewart and Jody Watley, though he was less active in the Nineties...
Posted by jsmooth995 at November 14, 2003 01:51 PM
Posted by: corca djalo at November 15, 2003 11:28 AM
i thought Phil Collins played drums at Live Aid for Led Zeppelin...or did they have 2 drummers?
Posted by: Ant$ at November 15, 2003 12:38 PM
Here is your answer courtesy of allmusic.com:
"With the mammoth Live Aid benefit concert booked in the summer of 1985, the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin (singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones) decided to reunite for a mini performance at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Filling the shoes of the late John Bonham would be an impossible but a much sought-after gig, and Thompson got the nod. What followed that day was a horribly under-rehearsed and sloppy performance — but it was not Thompson who was at fault (he was probably one of the set's few bright spots). At the last moment (for reasons unknown), it was decided to have Phil Collins join Thompson as a second drummer. With Collins obviously not familiar with Zeppelin's repertoire (and visibly looking at Thompson for cues throughout), it only added to the set's woes."
Posted by: Jay Smooth at November 15, 2003 01:25 PM
Posted by: pexdiggy at November 16, 2003 06:31 PM
Chic's drummer Tony Thompson will be missed.
I just listened to a remake of "A Warm Summer
Night" on the Isley Brothers Eternal CD.The
Cest Chic album is indeed one of my favorites.
PEACE
Posted by: Deewarjohn at November 17, 2003 04:56 PM
Zeppelin had two drummers at Live Aid Tony T. and Phil C.
Posted by: Brotha Meg at November 17, 2003 05:25 PM
It is a sad bit of news to hear of Tony Thompson passing away. He certainly did great things for music as a whole and will be sorely missed.
R.I.P.
May you have 'Good Times' in the afterlife.
Posted by: Dan Reeves at November 19, 2003 12:51 PM
Don't worry guys - just saw good ol' tone at the Drum Connex in Sherman Oaks -- and if it weren't for the quintesential tribe, I might have squeezed half a lesson out of it!
When I was at the Principia, the heads of both the CIA and the FBI were Christian Scientists -- the problem here is guys.. the FBI is for domestic situations, and the CIA is for Foreign forward observation. The crux is, if I'm not an American through and through, who is?
Pls get back with your comments, thx.
Posted by: Byron Walker De Lear at November 19, 2003 06:34 PM
I was very sadden to hear about the passing of Tony Thompson. He was a brilliant musician. You will always be remembered!
Posted by: Esmie at November 22, 2003 02:18 PM
Tony was one of the reasons I got into drumming. His power was tremendous. I saw Live Aid and ther were two drummers: Tony and Phil (who shouldn't have been playing...he was lost.) Even today I will put on "bang-a-gong" and go nuts!
Tony's drumming will be in high demand in heaven.
Posted by: Chris at November 23, 2003 05:50 PM
Are there any New York old school DJ's out there?Growing up in Queens,New York in the 70's was a great time for disco.Although many of us back then did not know Tony Thompson's name,there was not one DJ who did not have "Chic" in their record crate!"Dance,Dance,Dance" was one of the first songs I heard from Chic,and I was hooked.Then when "Everybody Dance" came out,there was no doubt where disco got its' beat from.Ask any New York old school DJ what was the top record that they used to "scratch" with? No doubt it was "Good Times".For those who do not know what "scratching" is,the song "Good Times" was every DJ's mark on who could "mix" and "scratch" the song the best.I respect Tony Thompson's work with Led Zeppelin,Phil Collins,Power Station and others.BUT my memories will always be at the house parties in Brooklyn and Queens;the clubs in Manhattan and the Bronx;and the music of Chic.I just hope that all DJ's in NY/NJ recognize this great drummer for what he meant to their careers as DJ's.There will never be another like him,but his foundation with Chic;I will always remember.
Posted by: Marcel Webster at November 24, 2003 08:12 PM
I was shocked to hear of Tony Thompson's death. As an original Chic violinist I have 10 years of wonderful memories with Tony. He was a brilliant musician, had a wonderful sense of humour and a heart of gold. Since hearing of his death these streets of New York, where we lived together for so many years, reveal memories on every corner, at every turn....so bittersweet. I pray that Bernard and Robert are watching over him ....
Posted by: Karen at November 30, 2003 01:21 PM
This is surprising to me, almost four months and I had no ideal that a true friend had passed, I'm in the studio so much that I was out of touch with the real world, Tony was truly of wonderful person, his ways in playing the drums were speechless, Tony I'll be praying for your family.his wonderful wife and his two beautiful children, He was truly a go getter and a willful man, who set out for success and respect, U earned it buddy. RIP my friend till we meet again.
Trina
Posted by: MS Tee at March 2, 2004 06:02 AM
This is surprising to me, almost four months and I had no ideal that a true friend had passed, I'm in the studio so much that I was out of touch with the real world, Tony was truly of wonderful person, his ways in playing the drums were speechless, Tony I'll be praying for your family.his wonderful wife and his two beautiful children, He was truly a go getter and a willful man, who set out for success and respect, U earned it buddy. RIP my friend till we meet again.
Trina
Posted by: MS Tee at March 2, 2004 06:02 AM
Tony was a good friend of mine and my wife's and we were there the last couple of days in the hospital before he passed away. I will tell you that he left this world knowing that he was surrounded by many friends and family members who loved him. He was so moved by all the support and love that came pouring in from his fans and from the brotherhood and sisterhood of musicians from all around the world. He knew that there was going to be benefit concert in his name at the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles in December to raise money for the cost of his health care. It was a great success. His spirit was felt that night by so many. I was also honored to have been one of the performers. His surviving wife and children are dear friends of my family. They are doing well and are touched by all who have shared and continue to share their warm wishes and memories of Tony. Peace.
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