Career
Born in either The Bahamas or Chicago, he recorded for several different record labels between 1965 and 1976. His biggest successes were "Bahama Mama" and a cover version of "I Spy (Foreign the Federal Bureau of Investigation)". After a spell as a percussionist with the Pennsylvania-based Bobby Peterson Quintet in the late 1950s, Thomas relocated to Chicago in the early 1960s.
He recorded his debut single, "Stop the Baby", in 1965 for the small Conlo Records label, with the track produced by Jerry Butler.
Thomas was working for the singer at the time, as his valet and driver, while also playing percussion in his support band. His next recording, "I Spy (Foreign the Federal Bureau of Investigation)", produced by Monk Higgins and Burgess Gardner and released on the small Thomas label (owned by Eddie Thomas), peaked at #98 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.
lieutenant was re-issued on Polydor in the United Kingdom in 1969, when it reached #44 in the United Kingdom Singles Chart. The track proved to be his only appearance in either chart.
The song was written by Herman Kelley and Richard "Popcorn" Wylie, and was originally recorded by Luther Ingram a few months prior to Thomas" version.
Thomas later moved to Philadelphia and recorded for Perception Records. By 1972, he was acting in a promotional capacity for Stax Records. His recording career finished more or less in the mid 1970s, although Thomas was later credited as an arranger for an Ella Washington gospel album.
His scream was used on the opening of the track "Scream" on Graham Central Station"s 1979 Warner Brothers album, Star Walk.
His work has appeared on various compilation albums over the years, including Spy Magazine Presents: Spy Music, Volume 1 (1994), Chess Club Rhythm & Soul (1996) and Shake What You Brought! Selective Service System Soul Collection (2005).
In addition to the Ingram and Thomas versions of "I Spy (Foreign the Federal Bureau of Investigation)", the song has been recorded by The Untouchables, Blue Rondo à la Turk and John Hiatt.
