Popular Northern Soul and Blues singer Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Thomas has died…
OBITUARY By Ian Woolley
Born in Osceola, Arkansas, Thomas was raised by his aunt and uncle. Surrounded by the Blues influence, It was the regular visits by family friend Albert King who played such an important part in nurturing little Jimmys’ musical talent. King nicknamed him ‘Popeye’ and the name stuck.
Jimmy Thomas at home (photo credit Quiz Britain)
At school with a few of his friends, he formed the Rock and Roll Trays then in 1958, Thomas got his first big break when Albert King recommended him to Ike Turner.
Moving home to St.Louis, Thomas successfully auditioned for Ike’s Kings of Rhythm and took the place of departing Clayton Love as lead singer.
On the discovery of Tina Turner within the band and morphing into The Ike & Tina Review, Thomas toured all around the World with the successful act.
Writing and releasing tracks on the road, one song I Can’t Believe was released with Ikette Wilhelmina Weaver under the name of Jimmy & Jean.
In 1966 during a UK tour backing the Rolling Stones that Jimmy fell in love with England. It would be some three years later that his decision to leave the group and travel to the UK become reality. The deciding factor for Jimmy was through his friend PP Arnold who had also been on that tour and resurrected her career when she moved over.
Being produced by Tony Visconti and Danny Cordell through the ’60s and ’70s, Jimmy had a minor hit with Where There’s A Will (There’s A Way). Eventually, with the emergence of the Northern Soul scene, Thomas made a successful career doing the venues right up until his death.
In 1979, he formed his own label Osceola Records. Recording from his home, he recently released an EP and album. The single from it, The Week End Is Mine was released in August 2021.
During the 1970s, Thomas developed a lung condition, his hospital treatment was radiotherapy. The effects of which caused him to have one functioning lung though he was still able to perform.
In 2020 his health began to decline although he no longer performed on stage. Jimmy continued recording for his latest release. Suffering breathing difficulties, he was taken to Charing Cross Hospital after suffering breathing difficulties and died on the 25th of April surrounded by his family.
The cause of death was respiratory failure. He was 83 years of age.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Kathy and five children/stepchildren.
Read the abridged interview with Jimmy Thomas HERE. The full article on Jimmy’s career was published in the August issue of the Beat. Back copies are available via our website.
FOOTNOTE
Jimmy with Beat’s Ian Woolley
I regarded Popeye as a true friend.
He always had a smile and looked at life with optimism and he never let his health problems get in the way of his working life.
I had first met Jimmy as we stood on a railway platform at Preston many years ago and were both dressed so similar we remarked on it. I told him that he reminded me of someone I knew called Jimmy Helms. When he told me that Jimmy was also his friend our friendship was cemented. After sharing the train back to London, we swapped contact details and vowed to keep in touch. We did.
Our last meeting was last August at his London home to interview him about his career and to listen to a few tracks of his proposed new album in his home studio.
It was an afternoon of fun with great anecdotes that he shared of working with Tina Turner and Ike as well as his fondness for Albert King. Our departure was a quick one as the heavens opened and the tube lines were flooded. When eventually I did get home, my wet camera had lost the two live videos we made that day. Luckily, the photos I took survived and a few I share with you here.
Jimmy’s step-daughter Tracey Ann has asked me to let anybody who wishes to attend the funeral that it will take place at 3.15pm on Thursday 19th May at West London Crematorium, Kensal Green. Jimmy has requested people to wear what they like. He has specifically asked for not flowers but for those that wish to leave donations on his GoFund me page HERE
Also, if there are any friends in the music world that would like to know more, contact Lesley via her email tracey.girdler@hotmail.co.uk.