User:Randstad2015/sandbox
Fonzi Thornton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | New York City United States |
| Genres | R&B, pop, rock, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter/producer, vocal contractor |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Labels | RCA |
Fonzi Thornton is an American singer, songwriter/producer and vocal contractor. In a career spanning 40 years, Thornton has sung backing vocals for top artists across many genres of music. His vocal credits can be found on the recordings of Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music), Chic, Diana Ross, Garth Brooks, Ray Charles, Mariah Carey, David Bowie, Robert Palmer, Michael Jackson, Patti Labelle, Al Jarreau, Celine Dion, Phoebe Snow and Bette Midler and many others. In 2008, Thornton joined the musical entourage of the “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin as backing vocalist and vocal contractor and continues to accompany her in concert, on recordings and TV. Luther Vandross
Early career[edit]
Born Alfonso Thornton in East Harlem, New York in his early teens, Fonzi joined neighborhood vocal group, Shades of Jade and befriended a young Luther Vandross. Thornton and Vandross became soloists with Listen My Brother, the Apollo Theater’s 16 member artist development workshop and sang on camera during the second season of the children's show, Sesame Street.
Later, Thornton gained a following on the NYC night club circuit with his band and self-titled vocal trio Fonzi. He and his group (renamed F360) toured England with Candi Staton and The Stylistics, then appeared with heavyweight Joe Frazier in a Miller Lite beer commercial.
1970-present[edit]
Chic Organization[edit]
In the late 1970’s, approached by producers, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, Thornton joined the Chic Organization as male vocalist on six albums and national concert tours. He can be hard on many of Chic's original recordings including Good Times and My Forbidden Lover from their 1979 Risque album. Thornton also appeared as the soloist on You Can't Do It Alone from Chic's 1980 Real People album.
After Chic disbanded in the early 1980’s, Rodgers and Edwards continued to use the distinct backing vocals of Thornton on chart topping productions for artists like Diana Ross, David Bowie, The Power Station, and Robert Palmer.
In 2010, Nile Rodgers included remixes of I Work For A Living and I'll Change My Game (from Thornton's unreleased 1980 album produced by Rodgers and Edwards) on the Chic box set, Savoir Faire. Most recently, Thornton provided backing vocals on Chic's 2015 release I'll Be There.
Luther Vandross[edit]
From 1980 through 1982, Thornton rejoined his childhood friend, Vandross, as a backup singer for his first two national tours. Besides singing on all of Vandross’ gold and platinum recordings, Thornton served as vocal contractor for every album, appeared on numerous TV shows, sat in on the singer's concerts and co-wrote songs on Luther's final four albums.
Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry[edit]
Crossing musical boundaries, in 1982 Thornton sang solo backing vocals on Roxy Music’s Avalon album and their world tour that followed. He performed with Bryan Ferry on several solo albums, on Saturday Night Live and in 1985, at Live Aid. In 2007, Thornton reunited with Ferry on the Late Show with David Letterman for US debut of his CD Dylanesque, and in 2011 joined Ferry on his first U.S. tour in 15 years. In 2014, Thornton again joined Ferry, providing vocals on his most recent Avonmore album.
Solo Career[edit]
In the spring of 1983, RCA Records released Thornton's debut urban soul-pop album The Leader (co-written and produced) featuring the lead single Beverly, which reached number 43 on Billboard's R&B chart. Thornton's second solo album, titled Pumpin', released in summer 1984 was representative of the dance/funk-rock vibe of the time. Both albums were re-released on Funkytown Grooves out of the UK, Pumpin' and The Leader (2014).
Recent Work[edit]
Thornton performs annually at two events honoring life achievement in the arts – the Kennedy Center Honors (2003-2007) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2001-2015).
He maintains his career as a session singer, performs regularly with Aretha Franklin. In October 2014, he appeared with her on the David Letterman show to a standing ovation for her performance of Adele's "Rollin in the Deep".
More recently, Thornton rejoined Bryan Ferry in concert on his 2014-2015 "Avonmore Tour" throughout Europe and the UK.
Discography[edit]
| Year | Album Title | Artist | Credited Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Young Hearts Run Free | Candi Staton | Vocals (Background) |
| 1979 | Thighs and Whispers | Bette Midler | Vocals (Background) |
| 1979 | Risqué | Chic | Vocals |
| 1980 | Real People | Chic | Vocals (You Can't Do It Alone) |
| 1980 | Love Somebody Today | Sister Sledge | Vocals (Background) |
| 1981 | Miracles | Change | Vocals (Background) |
| 1981 | Take it Off | Chic | Vocals |
| 1981 | KooKoo | Debbie Harry | Vocals (Background) |
| 1981 | Never Too Much | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1981 | Freeze Frame | The J. Geils Band | Vocals (Background) |
| 1982 | Jump to It | Aretha Franklin | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1982 | Forever, for Always, for Love | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1982 | Avalon | Roxy Music | Vocals (Background) |
| 1983 | Hello Big Man | Carly Simon | Vocals (Background) |
| 1983 | The Leader | Fonzi Thornton | Artist, Vocals (Background), Producer, Vocal Arranger |
| 1983 | Busy Body | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1983 | High Road (Video) | Roxy Music | Vocals (Background) |
| 1983 | Believer | Chic | Vocals (Background) |
| 1984 | Pumpin | Fonzi Thornton | Artist, Vocals (Background), Producer |
| 1984 | Love Language | Teddy Pendergrass | Vocals (Background) |
| 1984 | Marcus Miller | Marcus Miller | Vocals (Background) |
| 1985 | Night I Fell in Love | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1985 | She's the Boss | Mick Jagger | Vocals (Background) |
| 1985 | Riptide | Robert Palmer | Vocals (Background) |
| 1985 | Do You | Sheena Easton | Vocals (Background) |
| 1985 | The Power Station | The Power Station | Vocals (Background) |
| 1985 | Boys and Girls | Bryan Ferry | Vocals (Background) |
| 1986 | L Is For Lover | Al Jarreau | Vocals (Background) |
| 1986 | Give Me The Reason | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1987 | Love Changes | Kashif | Vocals (Background) |
| 1988 | Any Love | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1989 | Soul Provider | Michael Bolton | Vocals (Background) |
| 1989 | Addictions, Volume 1 | Robert Palmer | Vocals (Background) |
| 1990 | Joe Cocker Live | Joe Cocker | Vocals (Background) |
| 1990 | Mariah Carey | Mariah Carey | Vocals (Background) |
| 1990 | Other Voices | Paul Young | Vocals (Background) |
| 1990 | Heart Still Beating | Roxy Music | Vocals (Background) |
| 1991 | So Intense | Lisa Fischer | Vocals (Background) |
| 1991 | Power of Love | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1991 | Burnin' | Patti Labelle | Vocals, Vocal Contractor |
| 1991 | Set the Night to Music | Roberta Flack | Vocals (Background) |
| 1991 | Emotionally Yours | The O'Jays | Vocals (Background) |
| 1992 | Chic-Ism | Chic | Vocals, Vocals (Background) |
| 1992 | Houseparty: Anthology | The J. Geils Band | Vocals (Background) |
| 1992 | Good Stuff | The B-52's | Vocals (Background) |
| 1993 | Don't Look Back | Al Green | Vocals (Background) |
| 1993 | Black Tie White Noise | David Bowie | Vocals (Background) |
| 1993 | Never Let Me Go | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1994 | Greatest Hits (1980-1994) | Aretha Franklin | Vocals (Background) |
| 1994 | Mamouna | Bryan Ferry | Vocals (Background) |
| 1994 | Songs | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background) |
| 1995 | Best of Candi Staton | Candi Staton | Vocals (Background) |
| 1995 | Think With Your Heart | Debbie Gibson | Vocals (Background) |
| 1995 | This Is Christmas | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Choir, Vocal Contractor |
| 1995 | Sweetest Days | Vanessa Williams | Vocals (Background) |
| 1996 | Falling Into You | Celine Dion | Vocals (Background) |
| 1996 | Your Secret Love | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1996 | Get On The Bus | Original Soundtrack | Vocals (Background) |
| 1996 | Living in Fear | The Power Station | Vocals (Background) |
| 1996 | Star Bright | Vanessa Williams | Vocals (Background) |
| 1997 | Deborah | Deborah Gibson | Vocals (Background) |
| 1997 | Invitation Only | Will Downing | Vocals (Background) |
| 1997 | Hercules | Soundtrack | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 1998 | Bathhouse Betty (Japan) | Bette Midler | Vocals (Background) |
| 1998 | These Are Special Times | Celine Dion | Vocals (Background) |
| 1998 | I Know | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor, Songwriter |
| 1998 | R | R. Kelly | Vocals (Background) |
| 1999 | All the Way; A Decade of Song | Celine Dion | Vocals (Background) |
| 1999 | Celine Dion/Unison | Debbie Gibson | Vocals (Background) |
| 1999 | Joy: A Holiday Collection | Jewel | Vocals (Choir) |
| 1999 | Snowfall on the Sahara | Natalie Cole | Vocals (Background) |
| 1999 | Tarzan | Original Soundtrack | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 2000 | Love & Freedom | BeBe Winans | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 2000 | Moonchild | Debbie Gibson | Vocals (Background) |
| 2000 | Greatest Hits, Volume 1 | Natalie Cole | Vocals (Background) |
| 2001 | M.Y.O.B | Deborah Gibson | Vocals (Background), Vocal Arranger |
| 2001 | Luther Vandross | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor, Songwriter |
| 2001 | Music Box/Emotions/Mariah Carey | Mariah Carey | Vocals (Background) |
| 2001 | Best of Roxy Music | Roxy Music | Vocals (Background) |
| 2002 | Chicago: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture | Original Soundtrack | Choir, Chorus, Vocals |
| 2002 | A Walk to Remember | Original Soundtrack | Choir, Chorus, Vocal Contractor |
| 2002 | Best of Both Worlds: The Robert Palmer Anthology | Robert Palmer | Vocals (Background) |
| 2003 | Sound + Vision (2003 Box) | David Bowie | Vocals (Background) |
| 2003 | Diana (Deluxe Edition) | Diana Ross | Vocals (Background) |
| 2003 | Dance Wih My Father | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor, Songwriter |
| 2003 | Essential Luther Vandross | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background) |
| 2003 | Live Radio City Music Hall 2003 | Luther Vandross | Co-Producer |
| 2003 | R in R & B Collection, Volume 1 | R. Kelly | Vocals (Background) |
| 2003 | Avalon (Bonus Track) | Roxy Music | Vocals (Background) |
| 2003 | Thrill of It All (Remastered) | Roxy Music | Vocals (Background) |
| 2004 | Genius Loves Company | Ray Charles | Vocals (Background) |
| 2004 | Forever, for Always, for Luther | Various Artists | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 2005 | Soul Divas: Toni Braxton/Patti Labelle/Jody Watley | Vocals (Background) | |
| 2005 | Essential Luther Vandross (2-CD/DVD) | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background) |
| 2005 | Power Station (Expanded) | The Power Station | Vocals (Background) |
| 2005 | Chic - Live Paradiso Amsterdam (Live DVD) | Chic | Vocals |
| 2006 | Cool Yule | Bette Midler | Vocals (Background) |
| 2006 | In the Night/Instant Love | Cheryl Lynn | Vocals (Background) |
| 2007 | Love, Luther (Box Set) | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background) |
| 2007 | Forever Ray Charles | Ray Charles | Vocals (Background) |
| 2008 | This Kind of Love | Carly Simon | Vocals (Background) |
| 2008 | Spirit US | Leona Lewis | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 2008 | This Christmas, Aretha | Aretha Franklin | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 2008 | Phoebe Snow | Phoebe Snow | Featured Vocalist |
| 2009 | Cool Yule/Yule Log (DVD) | Bette Midler | Vocals (Background) |
| 2010 | The Chic Organization Box Set, Volume 1: Savior Faire | Chic | Featured Artist, Vocals (Background) |
| 2010 | Daydream/Mariah Carey | Mariah Carey | Vocals (Background) |
| 2011 | A Woman Falling Out of Love | Aretha Franklin | Vocals (Background) |
| 2011 | 1986-1991: The Warner Years | Miles Davis | Vocals (Background) |
| 2012 | The Classic: Christmas Album | Luther Vandross | Vocals (Background), Composer |
| 2012 | Now | Dionne Warwick | Vocals (Background) |
| 2012 | Knew You Were Waiting: The Best of Aretha Franklin (1990-1998) | Aretha Franklin | Vocals (Background) |
| 2012 | Hidden Gems | Luther Vandross | Composer, Liner Notes |
| 2013 | Blue Eyed Soul, Garth Brooks | Garth Brooks | Vocals (Background) |
| 2013 | Icon: Robert Palmer | Robert Palmer | Vocals (Background) |
| 2014 | The Box Set Series | Luther Vandross | Additional Production, Composer, Vocals |
| 2014 | The Essential R. Kelly | R. Kelly | Vocals (Background) |
| 2014 | Avonmore | Bryan Ferry | Vocals (Background) |
| 2014 | Aretha Sings the Great Diva Classics | Aretha Franklin | Vocals (Background), Vocal Contractor |
| 2015 | I'll Be There | Chic Featuring Nile Rodgers | Vocals (Background) |
References[edit]
External links[edit]
