Marvell Thomas
Marvell Thomas | |
---|---|
Birth name | Ronald Marvell Thomas |
Born | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | August 22, 1941
Died | January 23, 2017 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | (aged 75)
Genres | Memphis soul |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Keyboards |
Labels | Stax |
Ronald Marvell Thomas (August 22, 1941 – January 23, 2017) was an American
Biography
Born in
Thomas worked frequently as keyboardist and arranger, appearing on albums by Johnnie Taylor, The Staple Singers, Little Milton, The Emotions, Albert King, Mavis Staples, Yvonne Elliman, and Etta James.[2]
Thomas co-produced and played keyboards on the multi-platinum Isaac Hayes album, Hot Buttered Soul.[3] His touring credits include concerts with The Temptations, and acting as music director for Peabo Bryson, Isaac Hayes, his father Rufus Thomas, and his sister Carla Thomas.
Personal life
His father, Rufus Thomas, was dubbed "Memphis's other King". His sister Carla Thomas was known as the "Memphis Queen" after her breakthrough hit "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)".[4] His youngest sibling, Vaneese Thomas, is also an accomplished recording artist.
Thomas died after a brief illness in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 75.[5]
References
- ^ "Marvell Thomas: STAX Records Pioneer, Memphis Sound Musician". Memphis Downtowner Magazine. Downtown Productions. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- All Media Network. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ISBN 978-0-87972-821-2. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- All Media Network. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ Mehr, Bob (January 25, 2017). "Marvell Thomas, Stax soul musician, dies in Memphis". The Commercial Appeal.
External links
- Marvell Thomas discography at Discogs
- Marvell Thomas at IMDb
- Marvell Thomas at Find a Grave
- A short interview with Soul Express