Timmy Thomas

Timmy Thomas (b. Evansville, November 13, 1944 – ) -- Keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and producer. Born into a family of twelve children in Evansville, Thomas received training at an early age from his father, who was a minister. While attending Stan Kenton’s jazz clinic at Indiana University during his senior year in high school, Thomas earned a scholarship to attend Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. Early in his career, he backed up jazz stars including guitarist Donald Byrd and saxophonist Cannonball Adderley. After a stint as a studio musician in Memphis, he started a solo career and hit it big with “Why Can’t We Live Together,” which climbed to #1 on the R & B charts in 1972. Replete with a long, hypnotic introduction and an elaborate organ interlude, Thomas’s big hit helped him earn a reputation. Thomas wrote the hit after a news broadcast reported that tens of thousands of American and Vietnamese had died on the given day. Over twenty years later, "Why Can't We Live Together" became the anthem for Nelson Mandella's successful presidential campaign in 1994. The song came back into prominence again when recording artist Drake sampled the organ part it for his big hit "Hotline Bling" (2016). Over 7 studio albums, Thomas has put 13 singles on the R & B charts. Since then, he has collaborated with other artists and has worked as a producer. Currently, he teaches music at Shadowlawn Elementary School in Miami.