Tasha Thomas

Tasha Thomas(c. 1945– November 8, 1984) was an American singer and actress, known for her role asAunt Emin the original Broadway production ofThe Wiz.Thomas also had a hit single, "Shoot Me (With Your Love)", from her 1979 album,Midnight Rendezvous.Her birthplace is often cited as "Jeutyn, Alaska", though no such town exists.

Tasha Thomas
Background information
Born	c. 1945
Died	November 8, 1984
Genres	R&B,soul,disco,funk
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, actress
Years active	1972–1984
Labels	Orbit,Atlantic,Buddha,Roulette

Music career

Thomas' breakthrough came when she was cast in the original Broadway production ofThe Wizin the role ofAunt Em.Her performance on thecast album,singing her soulful rendition of the ballad "The Feeling We Once Had", earned her wide critical acclaim. In 1972 Tasha sang backup vocals along with singer-songwriter &Songwriters Hall of FamerEllie Greenwich(1949–2009) forJim Croce's debut albumYou Don't Mess Around With Jim.She appears onSlade's 1976Nobody's FoolsLP providing backing vocals on several songs including thetitle track.Tasha also provided backup vocals on the 1977KissalbumLove Gun,as one of the "KISSettes".

In 1978, on the basis of her growing popularity as a singer capable of performing in many different styles and genres, producers James R. Glaser (aka Jimmi Hood) and Peter Rugile signed Thomas to their company, Orbit Record Productions. Her first record release on the producer'sindependent label,Orbit Records, was the international dance hit, "Shoot Me (With Your Love)", written by James R. Glaser. Unable to keep pace with the demand for the record, producers Glaser/Rugile took Thomas and their production company toAtlantic Recordsto complete Thomas's firstsolo albumMidnight Rendezvous.

Recorded in 1979,Midnight Rendezvousincluded the track, "Shoot Me (With Your Love)", which was the biggest hit from the album. TheNew York Timesmusic criticRobert Palmer,described the song as "...one of the grittiest and most rousing disco records of the year destined to become a classic of erotic dance music."

Television appearances

Following the success of "Shoot Me (With Your Love)", Thomas was frequently invited to guest star on television music and talk shows, including appearances onDon Kirshner's Rock Concert,Soul Train(season 8, episode 32 – air date: March 24, 1979),The Merv Griffin Show,(season 11, episode 2395)The Midnight Special(season 7, episode 25 – air date: May 4, 1979) andDance Fever(May 1979).

Death

Thomas died of cancer in 1984, at the age of 39.

Awards

"Shoot Me (With Your Love)" was nominated for "Best R&B Single of the Year" at the 1979 BMA Awards.

Discography

Albums

• The Wiz(1975) Atlantic Records, ASIN: B000V6AS46
• Midnight Rendezvous(1979) Atlantic Records, ATLANTIC SD 19223 1

Singles

• "Rock-A-Bye, Baby" (2011)
• "Shoot Me (With Your Love)" – U.S. No. 91Pop,No. 25R&B;UKNo. 59
• "Hot Buttered Boogie"
• "Street Fever"

External links

• Tasha Thomasdiscography atDiscogs