Russell Thompkins Jr.
Russell Thompkins Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Russell in Atlantic City in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Russell Allen Thompkins Jr. |
| Born | March 21, 1951 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S. |
| Genres | R&B,soul,disco |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Formerly of | The Stylistics |
| Website | russellthompkinsjr |
Russell Allen Thompkins Jr.(born March 21, 1951) is an Americansoulsinger, best known as the original lead singer of the vocal groupThe Stylisticsand noted for his hightenor,countertenor,andfalsettovocals. With Russell as lead singer, The Stylistics had 12 straight Top 10Billboard R&Bsingles, and 5 gold singles from 1971 through 1974.[1][2][3]
Early years[edit]
Born in Philadelphia, Thompkins was introduced to music by his father and started singing formally in school.[4]During high school, Thompkins was a member of a local vocal group called the Monarchs who defeated another group called the Percussions in a talent show atBenjamin Franklin High School.[4]Both groups disbanded shortly thereafter. Their remaining members, Thompkins, James Smith, andAirrion LovefromThe Monarchs,and James Dunn and Herbie Murrell from the Percussions, joined to form a new group calledThe Stylisticsin 1968.[5]
Career[edit]
In 1970, the Stylistics recorded "You're a Big Girl Now", which soon became a regional hit for Sebring Records. The largerAvco Recordssoon signed the Stylistics, and thesingleeventually climbed to number seven on theR&Bcharts in early 1971. Avco approachedrecord producerThom Bellto work with the group.[5]After the Stylistics auditioned for Bell he was unimpressed, but he ultimately agreed to produce them, because he believed in the potential of Thompkins's soaring high tenor voice.[5]Thom Bell focused the group's sound completely around Thompkins's voice. On most of the group's hits, Bell would have Thompkins sing virtually solo.[5]
From 1971 to 1974, the Stylistics had twelve consecutive U.S. R&B top ten hits and five top ten U.S.pophits, including "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)","You Are Everything","Betcha by Golly, Wow","Break Up to Make Up",and"You Make Me Feel Brand New".All of these songs (and everything the group ever recorded) were led by Thompkins, and with the exception of" You're a Big Girl Now ", written and composed by Thom Bell andlyricistLinda Creed(1974's "You Make Me Feel Brand New", a No. 2 pop hit, was also sung led by group member Airrion Love).
Thom Bell stopped working with the group in 1974, and the split proved commercially devastating to the group's success in the U.S. However, in 1975, the Stylistics did release one single which was commercially successful as an early disco track entitled, "Hey, Girl, Come and Get It". After 1976, the Stylistics general commercial decline was more pronounced, and they would only sporadically make the R&B charts in the next two decades. However, just as U.S. success began to wane, their popularity in Europe, and especially the United Kingdom, increased. The lighter "pop" sound fashioned by Van McCoy and Hugo & Luigi gave the band aUKNo. 1in 1975 with "Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)".
In 2000, Thompkins left the group saying he even regretted he had not left much earlier.[4]After his split from the group, Thompkins studied music formally and learned to play the piano.[4]
In 2002, he released a solo album entitledA Matter of Style,which includes cover versions ofGeorgeandIra Gershwin's "Embraceable You"and the Thom Bell and Linda Creed song" Jealousy ", originally recorded byDionne Warwick.[6]
In 2004, Thompkins Jr. started a new group, Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics, with Raymond Johnson, James Ranton, and Jonathan Buckson. They continue to tour and are featured on the DVDOld School Soul Party Live!,which was part of thePBSMy Musicseries. James Ranton left the group for health reasons but the group continues as a trio.
In 2007, Thompkins along with Ted Mills (original lead singer of Blue Magic) and William Hart (original lead singer of The Delfonics) teamed up to record an album entitled, "All The Way From Philadelphia", under the name, The 3 Tenors of Soul on Shanachie Records.[7][8]
As of 2022, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics are still performing and touring in the states and overseas.[citation needed]
In 2023,Rolling Stoneranked Thompkins at number 142 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.[9]
Discography[edit]
With The Stylistics[edit]
Further information:The Stylistics discography
Other projects[edit]
- Russell Thompkins Jr.: Matter of Style - 2002 (album)
- The 3 Tenors Of Soul: All The Way From Philadelphia - 2007 (album)
- Russel Thompkins Jr.: Between Love Songs - 2020 (album)
- Russ Thompkins Jr.: Riding Solo - 2024 (album)
References[edit]
- ^"Gold & Platinum The Stylistics".RIAA.RetrievedApril 18,2021.
- ^"The Stylistics | Biography & History".AllMusic.RetrievedApril 18,2021.
- ^"The Stylistics Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts".musicvf.RetrievedApril 18,2021.
- ^abcd"Russell Thompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics 06/19 by WDKK Radio | Music Podcasts".Blogtalkradio. June 19, 2009.RetrievedJuly 29,2014.
- ^abcdJackson, John A (2004).A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul.USA: Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-514972-2.
- ^CORRESPONDENT, Rita Charleston TRIBUNE (April 22, 2019)."The New Stylistics take stage with original lead singer".The Philadelphia Tribune.RetrievedApril 18,2021.
- ^"Three Tenors of Soul".SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews.September 14, 2007.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
- ^"The 3 Tenors of Soul Biography, Songs, & Albums".AllMusic.RetrievedOctober 12,2022.
- ^"The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time".Rolling Stone.January 1, 2023.RetrievedApril 14,2023.
