Updates On The Passing Of Tony Thompson
As I mentioned in my previous post, I will do my best to locate any news stories, articles, or updates on Tony Thompson and his upcoming funeral. Below you will find the first update I've located and as more come in, I will update this post so be sure to check back...
The Headline Reads: Club Legacy plans Tony Thompson tribute for Friday
Club Legacy owner Melvin Thomas has booked Al Pena and his Full Flavor band for a special Friday night show in the memory of Tony Thompson. The show begins at 8:30 p.m. at the club, 100 Mill Street, Waco, Tx. There’s a $8 cover charge.
No details on this yet, but I understand there’s also a larger memorial service planned for the Waco Convention Center on Saturday.
Update Friday, June 8, 2007 at 10:04PM:
From Tony's MySpace page, the family has left a message in regards to the upcoming public services for Tony...
On June 1, 2007, the parents of Tony Thompson, The Thompson Family, Tevin Thompson (son), Angela Garcia (fiancée), aunts, uncles, friends, and fans lost a loving, caring, compassionate, and gifted soul. Tony Ulysses Thompson left his body here on earth, as his soul went on to be with our Father! At this time, regardless as to what has been previously released in the media, the results of the autopsy HAVE NOT been released and the cause of Tony’s death has not been determined. We the family would appreciate that everyone respect our privacy in our time of grieving. Tony was one in a million; knowing how to fit in with just about every personality there is in this world. He knew how to laugh with the gigglers, and cry with the hurt! He touched many hearts when his voice was heard on the radio, on stage, hanging out at a family gathering, or just sitting at home “CHILLIN’ ON IT!!! He was a great son, father, companion, and a favorite in our family! Though he will be missed immensely, his legacy will live on forever and he will hold a special place in our hearts. Tony was given the gift of song and he loved what he did for a living. He LOVED his fans and was in the process of starting a new solo project to present to the world. Tony would be the first one to say that without his fans, he would not have experienced “LIFE” as he knew it! So, thank you fans for the support that you showed Tony. On behalf of Tony’s parents, The Thompson Family, Tevin, Angela, and all of Tony’s relatives, we wish to thank everyone for your prayers, love, and support. Your emails, comments, and bulletins are very much appreciated. We know you loved him as much as we did. Tony will be missed, but never forgotten. Concluding, in the words of his son Tevin, “The Heavenly choir now has a new lead singer!” We love you Tony. You were God sent! Sincerely, Tony & Doris Thompson The Thompson Family Tevin Thompson Angela Garcia (Thompson) Funeral Arrangements are as follows and open to the public: Wake Service - Thursday June 7, 2007 New Breed Christian Center Pastor Darrell Blair 1500 S. Riverside Dr. Ft. Worth, Texas 76119 7:00 pm Wake Service – Friday June 8, 2007 Hippodrome Theater 724 Austin Ave. Waco, Texas 76701 7:00 pm – 9 pm Funeral Service – Saturday June 9, 2007 Victorious Life Church 7459 South I-35 Waco, Texas 76706 Exit #328 (Hewitt/Moody) 11:00 am NOTE: Remarks at the wake services will be limited to 2 minutes. Please be mindful of others following you that would like express their thoughts to the family. Thanks you!
Update Saturday, June 9, 2007 at 7:56PM -
KCEN-TV of Waco, TX did a brief news report on yesterday's memorial at the Hippodrome Theater. You can watch the quick clip below...Update Sunday, June 10, 2007 at 7:48PM -
The following is Tony Thompson's obituary, which published in the Waco Tribune-Herald from 6/7/2007 - 6/8/2007:Thompson Tony Thompson, 31, a lead singer for R&B group HI-5, passed away Friday, June 1, 2007, in Waco. The final performance for Tony will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2007, at Victorious Life Church, 7459 S. IH-35, Waco, TX. Visitations will be 7 to 9p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2007, at New Breed Christian Center, 4500 S. Riverside, Fort Worth, TX, and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 8, 2007, at the Waco Hippodrome. He was born Sept. 2, 1975, in Waco to parents Tony Thompson Sr. and Doris Carpenter-Thompson. Survivors include parents; son, Tevin; sisters and brother; and many other relatives and friends. Amalia Funeral Home, 5210 McCart Ave., Fort Worth D&D Johnson, The Funeral Specialist September 2, 1975 - June 1, 2007
The following are photos from Saturday's Memorial Service:
Photo Source: Wacotrib.com
May Tony Rest In Peace....
Final Update Monday, July 2, 2007 at 11:48AM - AUTOPSY RESULTS REVEALED:
Autopsy blames singer's death on Freon 'huffing'
Saturday, June 30, 2007
By Tommy Witherspoon
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Rhythm-and-blues singer Tony Thompson, whose body was found near an air-conditioning unit outside an East Waco apartment complex earlier this month, died accidentally while “huffing” Freon, an autopsy report released Friday shows.
Dr. Reade A. Quinton, a medical examiner at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas, determined that Thompson, 31, died from “toxic effects of chlorodifluoromethane,” or inhaling a toxic amount of Freon.
Freon is a gas primarily used in refrigeration and air-conditioning units.
Thompson, a Waco native and former lead singer for the platinum-selling Waco quintet Hi-Five in the 1990s, was found dead outside an apartment complex June 1.
Waco police said his body was found by officers working security at the apartment complex.
The autopsy report also shows that Thompson had a history of “Freon huffing.”
No alcohol or illegal drugs were detected in the singer’s system.
Methadone detected
However, the autopsy showed that Thompson had a small amount of methadone in his bloodstream.
Methadone is a synthetic narcotic used to treat drug addiction.
The U.S. Department of Justice has reported that the huffing of Freon is nothing new, but the practice of taking it from air-conditioning units in use apparently is.
Justice officials report that chronic inhalant abuse may result in serious and sometimes irreversible damage to the user’s heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and brain.
Death from inhalant abuse can occur after a single use or after prolonged use, according to Department of Justice reports.
Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson said officers report that Freon huffing is not a widespread phenomenon in Waco.
“I am told that it is not something that everybody does, but it is a way of getting high,” he said. “Evidently, it was a way that (Thompson) had gotten high before, but I don’t know exactly how it affects you.”
Anderson said Thompson apparently had taken the cap from the valve that attached the Freon to the air-conditioning unit, which resembles a stem on a bicycle tire.
He had something to depress the valve and some type of pipe from which he was inhaling the Freon, Anderson said.
Coming back home
Thompson, who had returned to Waco after a period in Dallas, enjoyed national success with Hi-Five in the early 1990s.
The music was generally described as an imaginative updating of groups such as the Jackson 5.
In recent years, Thompson had sought to find similar success in the music field.
At the time of his death he was working on a new CD project.
twitherspoon@wacotrib.com
757-5737 [SOURCE]
Update 7/12/07 - In honor of Tony, a MySpace tribute page has been created. Check it out here.
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tony thompson hifive memorial service for tony thompson funeral
posted by Soulfull @ 6/07/2007 , 
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Remembering Tony Thompson
It's now early Monday morning and I'm still in a state of shock from the June 1st passing of Tony Thompson, lead singer of Hi-Five. It has taken me at least two hours to start typing this post because honestly, I just don't know what to say. I really can't believe that something like this has happened. One minute I was reading about this on Concrete Loop and the next, I'm looking at this video of what the news media in Waco, Texas are reporting:Hot damn. This is just S-A-D. Wow. Drug overdose? Nope, I just can't believe that. I REFUSE to give into such speculation right now. We've got to hold fast until the facts come from the autopsy. From his MySpace page here and here, many, many thoughts of condolences from friends and family pour in. Here are just a few:
Jun 2 2007 12:55A - WELL CUZ U R GONE BUT U WILL NEVA B 4GOTTEN! I LUV U CUZ! R.I.P.! AND FAM. ME AND MY FAM HAVE EACH AND EVRYONE OF U N OUR PRAYERS! MUCH LOVE BEA AND FAM.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - thamagnificant
Jun 3 2007 11:03P - I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE FAN OF HI-FIVE MY CONDOLENCES GO OUT 2 HI-FIVE & TONY U WILL B MISSED UR VOICE WAS INCREDIBLE I'M Sooooo HURT & SAD WE MUST NEVER TAKE 4 GRANTED THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES GOD BLESS U ALL MUCH LUV & RESPECT!!!!!!! - JanellJun 2 2007 5:03P - May God continue to bless and keep you all under his wings. Too often ones life is so suddenly ended, but we all know our loved one is in a better place. Take care, Bethany
Jun 3 2007 3:18P - Tony, God bless you baby boy, you have done the world a great favor by giving us a little bit of you, You will be missed greatly, I was praying to God that I would one day meet you but I guess I'll just have to wait a little while longer, Just know that your music will never be forgotten, I promise because I won't let it be forgotten. I Love You Always Tony!! Love, Your biggest fan Monique!!
Jun 3 2007 7:06A - I WAS SHOCK WHEN I HEARD THE BAD NEWS AND IN DISBELIEF TIL I HEARD IT ON THE RADIO STATION HERE IN IRAQ, NEWS IN THE U.S. DOES NOT GET HERE FAST AND I'M WAS VERY UPSET WHEN I HEARD THAT TONY THOMPSON OF LEAD SINGER OF HI-FIVE HAD DIED. TONY REST IN PEACE BROTHER, MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND LOVE ONES YOU ALL ARE IN MY PRAYERS. YOUR MUSIC HAS TOUCH ME FOR MANY YEARS AND HI-FIVE WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE MUSIC GROUP. I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ONE DAY. YOUR FRIEND AND BIGGEST FAN TERRANCE.
Jun 2 2007 5:46P - We spoke just a few months ago about TROOP and Hi-Five touring together. I was realy looking forward to that. We will just have to re-schedule later. Much love to you and yours. Your music will be forever with us. I respect your legacy. God bless. AL MAC from TROOP
Jun 2 2007 5:40P - You guys are the best...Im sorry to hear about the loss of Tony Thompson..We have lost a great singer... RIP - Trina
Yes indeed! Tony had a voice that was so distinctive, so made for lead. I loved his vocal range, his runs, and I really can't begin to tell you how much that song, Unconditional Love, has meant to me. In life, there are some things you will never forget and that song is definitely an unforgettable one. Shoot, Tony (and all the guys from Hi-Five for that matter) were my musical boyfriends. When I was feeling lonely or depressed, I'd play Unconditional Love to remind myself of how much I wanted to have a love just like that. To have someone "climb the highest peak, swim the deepest seaor cross the desert land" for my love. That song helped me to NOT SETTLE for games. PRAISE GOD, I found that kind of love. The kind of unconditional love that has enjoyed the music of Tony and Hi-Five. :Sigh: God willing, I hope to be 80 years old STILL singing the words of... trust and honesty, and that's the way it's supposed to be... Unconditional love.
Rest In Peace Tony Thompson
May Your Soul Find Rest In God's Loving Care...
Hi-Five - I Like The Way (Kissing Game) - Live On Soul Train
Note: If any additional information is released regarding the passing of Tony Thompson, trust that I will post about it here... 6.9.07 - Updates regarding Tony Thompson's funeral, can be found here
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Tony Thompson hifive restinpeace
posted by Soulfull @ 6/04/2007 , ,
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Lost Without The Music Of Robin Thicke
Hello R&B Lovers! I'm back!! Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking? Where in the world has this chick been? And you know what, I have a really good answer to that - IMEEM. Man, I kid you not! I've been so engrossed with listening to music and connecting with folks over there, that I've totally neglected to share my crazy musings here. Well, not again, my friends! I will definitely make it a point to bore you all with my musical rambles more often. LOL! So let's just move into my latest musical fetish. Judging by the oversized photo above, I'm sure you've guessed that this post is about Robin Thicke. Yup, I know this blog is about remembering R&B, but let me tell you - If any artist out today is doing a good job of remembering the roots of R&B, it's Mr. Robin Thicke.
Robin Charles Thicke (born March 10, 1977 in Los Angeles, California) is a Grammy Award winning American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and occasional actor. He is sometimes billed as just Thicke. Thicke was born to vocalist Gloria Loring and Canadian entertainer Alan Thicke (best known for his role on the sitcom Growing Pains). At a young age, Thicke showed an interest in music and has often cited classic soul singers like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder as his influences. At the ages of 12 and 13, Thicke was a guest actor on several episodes of The Wonder Years and in an episode of Growing Pains. He decided to pursue a music career at the age of sixteen, Thicke became a friend to the president of Uptown Records, Andre Harrell, and struck a deal with the fledgling Nu America Records, a subsidiary of Interscope Records.Thicke also penned a wide range of hits for pop artists such as Jordan Knight, writing and co-producing an extensive share of his self-titled album, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Mya, Brandy, Michael Jackson and Marc Anthony. In 2005 Thicke won his first Grammy award for his collaborations on Usher's 2004 release Confessions. He is married to actress Paula Patton, who is pictured on the cover of his A Beautiful World album.
As an artist, he recorded and performed solely under his surname, Thicke. He would continue to do so until 2005-2006. His second single, the ballad "Lost Without U" began getting a lot of radio airplay in Urban & Rhythmic stations towards the end of 2006 and early 2007. With the assistance of radio airplay the song has reached as high as number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100, and number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. "Lost Without U" became Thicke's first number one hit on the R&B singles chart and he became the first white male artist since George Michael to top the chart.
You see, you can't just box Robin into the blue-eyed soul category. That just wouldn't do him justice. Robin's latest album is so beautifully arranged that it's a surprise this joint hasn't gone DOUBLE-platinum! So which songs am I really feeling? Well, all of them. I've been grooving to Can U Believe so much that I truly FEEL INVINCIBLE and hopefully as a peace offering (to anyone still reading this sporadic blog), I've included a T-I-G-H-T playlist I've discovered on where else, but Imeem. ENJOY!!! :-)
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Robin Thicke the evolution of robin thicke
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posted by Soulfull @ 6/02/2007 , ,
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