When my wife and visited the Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch in Johnson City, TX, in the early 2000s, the tour of the compound ended with a ride back to the Visitor Center while “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” played in the tour bus. The guide said this was Johnson’s favorite song and he played it in his yellow Cadillac when he was driving around his spread.<\/p>\n
Robert Vellani,
\nBurlington, NC<\/p>\n
___________________________________<\/p>\n
As a singer, BJ Thomas’s voice has always been an inspiration to me. I was hired to sing on a session at the old Cherokee Studios on Fairfax, sometime in the late 80s,\u00c2\u00a0I think. BJ Thomas was there working in another one of the studio rooms, and came into ours to listen. Since he was hanging out there in the control room, I started chatting with him, and let him\u00c2\u00a0know how much his work had meant to me. The discussion got into talking about what he’d been up to lately, and I casually mentioned that I’d seen that he had recently gone through a period of being a gospel artist.<\/p>\n
He looked straight ahead and said, “Well, I learned one thing: The only thing more corrupt and full\u00c2\u00a0of greed than the record business is the gospel record business.”<\/p>\n
Gary Stockdale<\/p>\n
___________________________________<\/p>\n
Maybe BJ actually had THREE careers?? He went through a public conversion and started making Christian records for Word Inc. out of Waco, TX around 1977. He had a string of nearly ten Contemporary Christian records over the next 6 or 7 years. He toured with Andrae Crouch and others. The story goes that Christians in his audience would boo when he sang his pop hits. And then others would boo when he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d talk about Jesus and sing his CCM hits. I got to him in once in the late \u00e2\u20ac\u02dc90\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in the halls at Warner Bros. Nashville. I was beside myself trying to even speak a word. What a legend. What a loss.<\/p>\n
Chris Hauser<\/p>\n
___________________________________<\/p>\n
BJ: “Raindrops….”, “Hooked…” and “Another Done Somebody Wrong Song”. Great Southern Company(me, Ira Sokoloff, Phil Walden, and others) did his merchandise in late ’70’s\/early ’80’s. He was just starting to do religious songs mostly by then. A nice, gentle man.<\/p>\n
Willie Perkins<\/p>\n
___________________________________<\/p>\n
Thanks Bob,I worked in a club where every night the DJ would end the night by playing Hooked On a Feeling.I heard it every night.And I never got tired of it.It’s a great song,and BJ Thomas nails it.I’ve been listening to it all weekend in my mind.Stay well Bob.Thanks,Ted Keane<\/p>\n
___________________________________<\/p>\n
Good one Bob. I liked his songs and immediately went to Spotify to listen.<\/p>\n
Kenneth Williams<\/p>\n
___________________________________<\/p>\n
Katherine Ross ….\u00c2\u00a0 made me wanna be that bicycle….\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Andrew Loog Oldham<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n B.J.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nephew is a good friend of mine so I got a chance to meet him a couple times in the past few years. More than just a great performer, he was a genuinely nice human being. He made me feel welcome and apparently asked about me every time he talked to Bobby after that. Condolences to his lovely wife Gloria and their whole family.<\/p>\n Tim Fricke<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Nice job, Bob. ___________________________________<\/p>\n Reservoir Dogs.!<\/p>\n Both of his iconic songs are eternally etched into our existence via the power of film.<\/p>\n Paul Koidis<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Hey Bob, what a great read and reminded of BJ Thomas and his music. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0I had such a flash back after reading your post, I guess growing up in Seattle I heard a bunch of BJ on Seattle radio KING Am and KJR both played him a lot. I just wanted to add his version of BeachBoys \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry Baby \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 and ( Hey Won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you play ) another somebody done somebody wrong song. \u00c2\u00a0Were huge records… and they will always put that period in a capsule for me and many.\u00f0\u0178\u2122\u0152\u00f0\u0178\u008f\u00be<\/p>\n Frank Higginbotham<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n He was a good man. We had Instagram communication. He was humble, kind and funny. He deserved a lot more than he received.<\/p>\n Lgjg94<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Got to meet BJ Thomas when he was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame years ago. He personified what would become blue-eye soul pop music after the Righteous Brothers. ___________________________________<\/p>\n Bob…check out B.J.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s follow-up to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Feeling,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Eyes Of A New York Woman\u00e2\u20ac\u009d…it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153guitar sitar\u00e2\u20ac\u009d on it and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one of the great NYC songs…love it to this day…<\/p>\n Matthew Auerbach<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Actually, the artist briefly known as \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBlue Swede\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 never disappeared but, rather, stepped seamlessly back into his career as himself, Bj\u00c3\u00b6rn Skifs, in Sweden, where he remains an icon to this day. His version of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHooked On A Feeling\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 was a bit of a joke which, as things did and continue to occasionally do, went inexplicably \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcviral\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. His Wiki page is only in Swedish, if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re curious here it is, Google Translate works just fine.<\/p>\n https:\/\/sv.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Bj%C3%B6rn_Skifs<\/p>\n Eric Bazilian<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n More important than so many others. Forever hooked on a feeling<\/p>\n Randy Lauderdale<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Thank you for this tribute to BJ Thomas.<\/p>\n Some of the things you said really resonate with me and take me back to 1969.<\/p>\n Your observation about polling and quizzing youngsters about movies today, made me think of an experience I had a few weeks back.<\/p>\n I play a ZOOM open mic each week where a\u00c2\u00a0‘challenge’ gets set for the upcoming week. The\u00c2\u00a0challenge was to play a song from a movie.\u00c2\u00a0 I decided to play ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head’ -\u00c2\u00a0 thinking my audience will be familiar with the song. Age-wise, they range from late 20’s up to late 60’s. To\u00c2\u00a0my surprise, there were people who didn’t know the\u00c2\u00a0song and\u00c2\u00a0didn’t know the movie it came from. But they all agreed it was a great song.<\/p>\n I came away happy to know that the song was recognized for its strengths (it transcended the performer!!) but sad that a movie, a scene, a song\u00c2\u00a0that I accept as such an emotionally resonant and iconic part of our culture, can mean nothing to people whom I otherwise share a bond with through the weekly playing of live music on ZOOM.<\/p>\n andy jones<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Hey Bobby, yeh i heard the news about B.J.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0i was on Facebook yesterday and saw a great pic of him… obviously a young foto..forgot how good looking he was..hahah…it’s funny how you say we all were so young at the time when all that great music was being recorded…where do you even start right?\u00c2\u00a0 i was trying to get downtown yesterday and a guy came up behind me on a bike and said\u00c2\u00a0 randy!….RANDY!…i’m like holy fuck who is it now… he says B.J. Thomas just died… i’m like ya i just heard..don’t have a clue who this guy was cause we’re all wearing masks up here but he knew who i was.. it’s funny how you just don’t know sometimes who remembers anything but i guess us oldtimers remembered him.. he had a real good string of hits… and he will be remembered …All the Best baby… thanks for the tribute to Mister Thomas<\/p>\n Randy Dawson<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n I am a bit of a cover act, I do well over 100 songs. I play ‘Rain Drops’, and almost aways announce it The horn section piece at the end is my favourite I cover it with vocal da da da das.<\/p>\n I like music from folk to death metal, but that little At least he went fast.<\/p>\n OK, now I need to figure out Hooked in a key Cheers<\/p>\n Mitch Nixon<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n listen to rock and roll lullabye and mighty clouds of joy—two BJ also-ran songs that are simply glorious<\/p>\n such a voice<\/p>\n a wile ago he also release an album done in the bossa nova style—pretty cool stuff<\/p>\n frank<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Thank you. I remember the high school party I was at when I heard \u00e2\u20ac\u0153hooked on a feeling\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 for the first time. \u00c2\u00a0Fan ever since \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0We lost a good one<\/p>\n John Huie<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been reading you for years and never commented.<\/p>\n You nailed it with the BJ Thomas piece.<\/p>\n I recall the Scepter 45\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s<\/p>\n Thanks<\/p>\n Rick Gelok<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Man you got me right back in memory lane His music stuck with you like glue. I even remover walking my family\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Dog called Snoopy Another sign of those times \u00c2\u00a0I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d also sneak a cigarette if it was after Sundown \u00c2\u00a0Man you felt like you had it really going on<\/p>\n Thanks for reawakening those memories Bob<\/p>\n Cheers The Sutterman<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n I’d just like to note\u00c2\u00a0that BJ Thomas’ first hit, his version of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” is also one of his best and really shows how well he could sing.\u00c2\u00a0 Also his “I Can’t’ Help Believing” was his fourth Top Ten single. Not two.<\/p>\n Toby Mamis<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n As you wrote in your love letter to 1971, I too was born at the perfect time, albeit several years before you. Hooked on a Feeling was pure dynamite with so much character and punch that it almost jumped out of the tinny transistor that I had. \u00c2\u00a0Raindrops was pure dreck in comparison, although the Bacharach\/David team created that incredible and indelible string of masterpieces otherwise.<\/p>\n As far as earthy, well Katherine Ross and Ali McGraw did it for me as I was transitioning from teen-boy to teen-man. \u00c2\u00a0Election night in NY and one of the Independent stations (PIX or WOR) played The Graduate year in and year out for a while – for me!, and if I see it another 10 times it won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be enough. \u00c2\u00a0Both that and Goodbye Columbus struck a chord deep within me and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not sure that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve ever gotten over how they affected me. \u00c2\u00a0And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll surely never forget how both Ross and McGraw in those roles did that to me as well.<\/p>\n And now, you reminded me to pull up Hooked on a Feeling – the original of course and let it reign o\u00e2\u20ac\u2122er me.<\/p>\n Alan<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Great tribute to BJ Thomas . . . he could flat-out sing, and had a surprising number of hit singles. The kind of performer who you go to see and find yourself saying \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I forgot he did that one\u00e2\u20ac\u009d . . .<\/p>\n – Raindrops (of course),<\/p>\n – Hooked On A Feeling (as you nailed spot on), but also<\/p>\n – Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song<\/p>\n – No Love At All<\/p>\n – Rock & Roll Lullaby<\/p>\n – I Just Can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Help Believing<\/p>\n – Everyone Is Out Of Town<\/p>\n – Most Of All<\/p>\n . . . I think he even did the theme to a TV show back in the 80\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, and he had quite a run in Contemporary Christian music after dealing with some challenges. Great songs delivered by a terrific singer. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sobering when the guys who created our lives\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 soundtracks move on.<\/p>\n Be well Bob and keep up the great work . . . I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been enjoying your musical insights for years now, ever since the late, great, Bud Prager turned me onto your newsletter.<\/p>\n God bless & GOGETEM!<\/p>\n Pat O’Connor<\/p>\n ___________________________________<\/p>\n Hey Bob,<\/p>\n great write up about B.J. Thomas .Let me tell you about what a class act he was.<\/p>\n I was blessed to \u00c2\u00a0cross paths with him on numerous occasions in various circumstances over the years and he was always professional, humble , kind , and always made time for everyone. \u00c2\u00a0It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a dream come true when one of your musical hero\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s turns out to be a wonderful human. \u00c2\u00a0Years ago when I first met him , I told him the story\u00c2\u00a0 of how in \u00e2\u20ac\u212268 or \u00c2\u00a069 as a child , my Mom took me to see him in concert at the Univ. of Alabama. \u00c2\u00a0It was my first real concert and my\u00c2\u00a0little 5 year mind was blown and \u00c2\u00a0I knew right then what I wanted to do in life. Play music on stage. \u00c2\u00a0I told B.J. of how it was such an inspiration to me and his reply in a serious , straight man face – \u00e2\u20ac\u0153 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m so \u00c2\u00a0very sorry you ended up in the music business” Then he busted out laughing loudly and gave me a big hug! \u00c2\u00a0I melted.. I have a framed photo of that moment and\u00c2\u00a0the both of us are cracking up.<\/p>\n Fast forward , years later in August of \u00c2\u00a02019 \u00c2\u00a0my band Sixwire ( who I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the drummer for ) \u00c2\u00a0is the house band for Elvis Week at Graceland ,\u00c2\u00a0and B.J. was the main guest star performer singing songs that were recorded at American Sound studios ( where \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hooked on a Feeling\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and tons of other hits were recorded) \u00c2\u00a0He was amazing! \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0All songs were in the original song keys and he sang his ass off, and he could not have\u00c2\u00a0 been nicer to all of the musicians on stage. \u00c2\u00a0A joy to work with.<\/p>\n Sorry for the length , but here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00c2\u00a0the pay off. \u00c2\u00a0My Mom ( and all my fam) was at this show. \u00c2\u00a0She is a lifelong , huge fan of B.J.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s and insisted that she come back stage after ward and meet her life long crush and musical hero. \u00c2\u00a0I made it happen. \u00c2\u00a0Back story, she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 80\u00c2\u00a0years old, has some obvious major health issues going on. \u00c2\u00a0B. J. \u00c2\u00a0comes over to me and asks \u00e2\u20ac\u0153who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s this young lady?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00c2\u00a0and\u00c2\u00a0she just lit UP, all goofy and smiling and acting like a total fan girl. \u00c2\u00a0He looks at me and just smiles and winks and gave\u00c2\u00a0her all the time she wanted and took pics of the 3 of us\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 and just like that , my Mom thought she was 25 years old and\u00c2\u00a0she floated out of the room , and just for a moment , I saw my Mom became the healthy lady she used to be. I could have cried.<\/p>\n So I go visit my parents \u00c2\u00a0for Xmas a few months later and she has a framed photo of her and B. J. on her mantle , with ME cropped\u00c2\u00a0OUT of the photo!! \u00c2\u00a0I knew you loved B.J. Mom, but what the hell?! ( Oldest son, kicked to the curb \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.). We still laugh about it,\u00c2\u00a0and she was deeply saddened to hear of his passing yesterday..That photo of her and B.J. is one of her prized possessions. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0B.J. went out of his way to make her feel special, and boy did he do that. \u00c2\u00a0He would\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve laughed his ass off about my Mom\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s photo cropping skills too, \u00c2\u00a0I assure you.<\/p>\n I just wanted to share this with you as \u00c2\u00a0I know you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be flooded with Chuck D. Tilley ___________________________________<\/p>\n I was thrilled to read your tribute to BJ, and to include Reggie Young as well was really special.<\/p>\n Two of the nicest and most talented people I ever knew.<\/p>\n I first met BJ ,on a Dick Clark American\u00c2\u00a0Bandstand tour, many years ago.<\/p>\n Son of a preacher man, a true gentleman, humble, always smiling and caring.<\/p>\n A voice from above.<\/p>\n Met Reggie when I moved to Nashville, another fantastic human being.<\/p>\n Giant of the guitar, and as a man.<\/p>\n Thank you for letting people know of the tremendous contributions that they made to the music we have been listening to all these years.<\/p>\n Best to you and your family,<\/p>\n Felix Cavaliere<\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When my wife and visited the Lyndon B. 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\nI was in a band that was fortunate to open up for B. J. once back in the lat 70’s. He couldn’t have been a nicer guy. He came in to our dressing room after we were done and told us we’d done a great job, and chatted with us for a little bit.
\nA very nice guy indeed.
\nBill Scherer<\/p>\n
\nHe told a story of how he was supposed to sing the song \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In the Ghetto\u00e2\u20ac\u009d which would have made him an even bigger star with its far reaching civil rights message.
\nBut at the last minute the song was pitched to Elvis who needed a career boost badly and the rest is history. RIP BJ
\nKenny Lee Lewis<\/p>\n
\nAll genres pop, rock, folk, country.<\/p>\n
\nas the happiest song ever.<\/p>\n
\npiece of music of all time.<\/p>\n
\nsong, and that little horn piece just moves me.<\/p>\n
\nI can sing.<\/p>\n
\ntons of stories of how wonderful B. J. was. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Take care and \u00c2\u00a0stay healthy \u00c2\u00a0Bob .<\/p>\n
\nNashville<\/p>\n