B.J. Thomas, the Grammy-winning vocalist behind tunes including 'Hooked on a Feeling,' died at the age of 78 after a battle with stage 4 lung cancer, which he was diagnosed with in March.
Thomas' management team announced his death on his Twitter account, saying that he died on Saturday (May 29) of complications from stage 4 lung cancer, which he was diagnosed with in March. He was being treated in a Texas hospital and hoped to make a full recovery.
In a statement, Thomas requested for prayers while also expressing thanks for his decade-long career.
Thomas’ death was confirmed via his official Twitter account, ''It is with profound sadness we confirm the passing of BJ Thomas''.
Early Career
From humble beginnings as a church singer, Thomas rose to fame in 1966 with a version of William's "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," which went on to become his first million-selling record.
Aside from music, Thomas grew up loving baseball and began referring to himself as B.J. since so many of his Little League buddies were also called Billy Joe.
Achievements
Thomas has eight No. 1 hits and 26 Top 10 songs in his career, having won five Grammys and selling 70 million records worldwide. "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song," "I Just Can't Help Believing," "Don't Worry Baby," and "Hooked on a Feeling" were among his hits.
Thomas' smash tune "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," composed by Burt Barone and Hal David and featured in the famous Paul Newman and Robert Redford film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," received the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Over 2 million copies were sold, and it has since been included in films such as "Forrest Gump" and "Spider-Man 2."
Career Ups and Downs
Thomas became addicted to drugs and alcohol not long after. He described meeting his wife Gloria as a watershed moment in his life, when he became a born-again Christian, stopped using drugs, and turned to gospel music to communicate his religion. His CD "Home Where I Belong" won a Grammy and a Dove Award in 1976.
Aside from his well-known songs, Thomas also sang the theme song for the sitcom "Growing Pains," "As Long As We've Got Each Other," and voiced several Coca-Cola and Pepsi commercials, in addition to his well-known tunes. He also appeared in the film "Jory and Jake's Corner" and penned his autobiography, "Home Where I Belong."
Thomas is survived by Gloria, his wife of 53 years; his three daughters, Paige Thomas, Nora Cloud, and Erin Moore; and four grandkids, Nadia Cloud, Keira Cloud, Ruby Moore, and Billy Joe Moore.
Bert Harbison of the Nashville Songwriters Association told the note singer in the previously stated 2021 Tennessean interview, "BJ, you are one of my favourite artists of all time... There's something magical about you holding the microphone, and all I want to say is thank you for all the years of music from all the fans.”
“All I am is simply another guy,” Thomas said of his own profession and life on his website. I've been very lucky. I've had a wonderful life, I've been a loving husband and father, and now I'm a grandparent, and I'm inspired by all of these instructors, preachers, mothers, and fathers to help my kids develop character and self-respect.
I hope it doesn't come out as too grandiose, but that's what it comes down to. It's what I've attempted to achieve with my music and with the majority of my life.”
BJ Thomas' funeral arrangements will be announced soon and will be kept private. Mission Arlington, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and the SPCA of Texas will accept in-memory gifts in lieu of flowers.
“I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to record and perform beautiful songs in pop, country, and gospel music, and to share those wonderful songs and memories
Written By - Anjali Gupta
Edited By - Gunika Manchanda
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