Tony Thompson (singer)

Anthony Ulysses "Tony" Thompson, Jr. (September 2, 1975 – June 1, 2007) was an American singer–songwriter. Thompson was best known as the lead vocalist of the American R&B quintet Hi-Five, which had hit singles such as "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)" and "I Can't Wait Another Minute". After the group disbanded in 1994, Thompson found solo success the following year with his debut album Sexsational in 1995. After leaving Giant Records, Thompson was signed to Bad Boy Records; however, he never was able to release an album under them due to his struggles with drug abuse. In later years, Thompson formed his own record label and released an album with the newly formed Hi-Five group in 2005. He died on June 1, 2007 in Waco, Texas at age 31.

Tony Thompson
Thompson circa 1992
Background information
Birth nameAnthony Ulysses Thompson, Jr.
BornSeptember 2, 1975
Waco, Texas, U.S.
OriginOklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedJune 1, 2007(2007-06-01) (aged 31)
Waco, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1989–2007
Labels
Associated acts

Biography

Thompson was born in Waco, Texas and raised in Oklahoma City. He was named after his father, Anthony Thompson, Sr.

In 1984, he started singing solos in the local church choir at the age of eight. He then started singing in local talent shows. Local talent and up-and-coming artist William Walton reached out to Thompson in hopes of making his music dreams a reality. He was noticed by the first R&B group signed by Jive Records, which consisted of Toriano Easley (who is the only native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and was later replaced by Treston Irby), Marcus Sanders, Russell Neal, and Roderick "Pooh" Clark who were also from Waco. Taking the name Hi-Five, the group signed with Jive Records in 1990. The quintet's self-titled debut album went platinum and produced several hits, including "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)", "I Can't Wait Another Minute", and "Just Another Girlfriend".[1] In 1992, the group released their second album, Keep It Goin' On, with "She's Playing Hard to Get" and "Quality Time". Their third album, Faithful, was released in 1993.

Solo album and reunion

Thompson's only solo album, Sexsational, was released on Giant Records in 1995. Thompson formed his own record label, N'Depth, and re-incarnated Hi-Five with four new members. The group's next album, The Return was released in 2005.[2]

Death

On June 1, 2007, Thompson's body was discovered by security officers at around 10 p.m. near an air-conditioning unit outside of an apartment complex in his native Waco, Texas.[2] An autopsy later determined that he had died from "toxic effects of chlorodifluoromethane," or inhaling a toxic amount of freon.[3] He is buried at Doris Miller Memorial Park in Waco.[4]

Discography

Albums
Year Album Chart positions[5]
US US R&B
1995 Sexsational 99 17

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Chart positions Album
US
Hot 100		 US
R&B/Hip-Hop
1995 "I Wanna Love Like That" 59 14
1995 "Handle Our Business" - 50

Music videos
Year Video
1995 "I Wanna Love Like That"
1995 "Handle Our Business"

References
  1. Allmusic.com "Hi-Five
  2. Concepcion, Mariel (June 4, 2007). "Hi-Five's Tony Thompson Dies At 31". billboard.com. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  3. "Autopsy Results Are In For Hi-Five Star Tony Thompson". dallasblack.com. July 2, 2007. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  4. Hoover, Carl (June 5, 2010). "Family and friends remember Waco singer Tony Thompson at headstone ceremony". wacotrib.com. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  5. "Tony Thompson - Tony Thompson | Awards". AllMusic. 1996-06-18. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
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