Rob Wigley Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Just been talking to someone who swears he knows someone who was talking to Bobby Thurston 2 years ago...... I think hes long gone to soul heaven--about 15 to 18 years anybody provide an answer please ta Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Gary Samways Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Just been talking to someone who swears he knows someone who was talking to Bobby Thurston 2 years ago...... I think hes long gone to soul heaven--about 15 to 18 years anybody provide an answer please ta Rob eh up mate, must admit i thought he'd gone, but only a few years ago i thought Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sean Hampsey Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 If he did pass away I don't recall hearing about it, Rob. I've racked my brains and I can't remember hearing anything of his demise. Born in 1954, he'd only be 56 (if he's still around) but he was one hell of a big guy (Billy Stewart proportions) so who knows, maybe another 'early' one. Sean Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Eddie Hubbard Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Richard Searling announced that he'd died on one of his Radio shows ,quite a while back ...Best,Eddie Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sean Hampsey Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Richard Searling announced that he'd died on one of his Radio shows ,quite a while back ...Best,Eddie Any idea how long ago Eddie? Sean Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Kjw Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Definitely passed on - I seem to remember it was a heart attack which wasn't surprising going by the size of him I don't think it was as long as 15 years ago - must be within the last 10 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Julie Moore Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 Been Googling this all day ,all it says anywhere was Born 1954 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Richard Searling announced that he'd died on one of his Radio shows ,quite a while back ...Best,Eddie That's what I thought Eddie-but not a shred of written evidence !! Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Been Googling this all day ,all it says anywhere was Born 1954 Not a shred of evidence to prove if he's alive which seems very strange ! rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Definitely passed on - I seem to remember it was a heart attack which wasn't surprising going by the size of him I don't think it was as long as 15 years ago - must be within the last 10 Thats what i heard--but how do we know ?-heart attack again seems to fit the bill Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Just been talking to someone who swears he knows someone who was talking to Bobby Thurston 2 years ago...... I think hes long gone to soul heaven--about 15 to 18 years anybody provide an answer please ta Rob I have checked the information super highway , and there is nothing stating BT has given up his very last drop , sorry breath , and has yet to check out the grave , soory goove ...... Looks like he is still with us Rob . Looked at my article yet ? It is like waiting for the exam results to come in ....... Malc Burton. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 I have checked the information super highway , and there is nothing stating BT has given up his very last drop , sorry breath , and has yet to check out the grave , soory goove ...... Looks like he is still with us Rob . Looked at my article yet ? It is like waiting for the exam results to come in ....... Malc Burton. Its in the "Things to be marked" pile Godfrey been on nights and nothing sinks in !! Can we run a book on this ? Dead "ODDS ON"--alive 10/1 and odds shortening.. I hope he's alive-but very much doubt it-and if he is why the F**k isn't there any new material ?? (Very last drop was a stunner 1) Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Its in the "Things to be marked" pile Godfrey been on nights and nothing sinks in !! Can we run a book on this ? Dead "ODDS ON"--alive 10/1 and odds shortening.. I hope he's alive-but very much doubt it-and if he is why the F**k isn't there any new material ?? (Very last drop was a stunner 1) Rob The last release I know of was " The Main Attraction " album in 1981 , which flopped better than Dick Fosbury . I will do a search on Faeces Book , if he is still alive , he will be on there ....... Malc Burton Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 Got this via EMS https://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Bobby%20Thurston.html But the discography is way out with the mailine LP @ 1988 come on lets get it sorted DEAD OR ALIVE ?? Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Julie Moore Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 The suspence is killing me im gonna check concert listings thought i say a list yesterday ? watch this space Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve G Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Got this via EMS https://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Bobby%20Thurston.html But the discography is way out with the mailine LP @ 1988 come on lets get it sorted DEAD OR ALIVE ?? Rob Yup Mainline LP came before the Prelude ones, but after his excellent Avco 45 Must admit I thought he had died. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 Yup Mainline LP came before the Prelude ones, but after his excellent Avco 45 Must admit I thought he had died. So did we all Steve -but where's the proof !!! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Julie Moore Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Sorry folks came up with Jack even trawled fb only 145 bobby thurston!s on there i hope someone has better luck than me Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 I've put my mate Eric LeBlanc on the case - he knows all there is to know about dead R&B and Soul artists, and quite a bit about living ones as well. Will report back... ...but in the meantime I'm sure that I read an obit some time in the 90s saying that BT had died from complications related to diabetes. I can't imagine that I dreamed that up - but let's hope Eric can sort this out for us! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
funkyfeet Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 Soul singer Bobby Thurston was a native of Washington, D.C., and got his start singing and playing congas with a group called Spectrum Ltd. in his high school years. He caught his break when writers/producers Willie Lester and Rodney Brown heard him sing live, and signed him as part of their attempt to forge a stable of artists in the vein of Philadelphia International. Thurston recorded his first album, Sweetest Piece of the Pie, in 1978, and it was very much in the smooth, mellow Philly soul vein, with help from keyboardist/arranger Al Johnson. Thurston's subsequent recordings for Prelude were more consistently disco-oriented, starting with 1980's double-sided 12" club smash "You Got What It Takes"/"Check Out the Groove." The accompanying LP, You Got What It Takes, became his biggest seller, but the 1981 follow-up, The Main Attraction, was less successful, and Thurston faded from view as disco died out. Steve Huey, All Music Guide Just found this on the net: Bobby Thurston Sweetest Piece Of The Pie music CD album $22.85 in stock at CD ... in hearse chasing, issued just months after the great singer's death. ... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Kjw Posted May 5, 2010 Share Posted May 5, 2010 I think I read about his death in one of the 'In The Basement' magazines they used to cover loads of obituaries from well know soul artists to backing singers / producers etc Also seem to remember something about him being a school teacher before becoming a professional singer Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 5, 2010 Author Share Posted May 5, 2010 looking good for us -but sadly not for Bobby waiting for Tony's report back It does seem incredible that a talented man of that size could just disappear without a trace ! with a sizeable hit record under his belt as well ! Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Fuzzj Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 ralph tee will know or john benson i know hes gone but dont know when. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 (edited) looking good for us -but sadly not for Bobby waiting for Tony's report back It does seem incredible that a talented man of that size could just disappear without a trace ! with a sizeable hit record under his belt as well ! Rob My pal Eric's sleuthing has come up with a birth date (28 March 1947) and birthplace (Washington DC) but there's no death certificate for Bobby H Thurston - a legal requirement, I believe, for all deceased Americans, especially those who worked in or for the government, which Bobby did (for the state department) - so rumours of his death could actually be exaggerated. Although I'm still sure I read an obit, like others on here are. He was still living in DC at the start of the 00ties, apparently - and I do now have the address that he was living at, at that time. Incidentally, Bobby only had the one small hit ("You Got What It Takes") in the USA. Amazingly, "Check Out The Groove" did not chart at all over there! Edited May 10, 2010 by TONY ROUNCE Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
funkyfeet Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 (edited) Bobby Thurston Sweetest Piece Of The Pie music CD album $22.85 in stock at CD ... in hearse chasing, issued just months after the great singer's death. ... The LP came out in 1978 so if the above statement is true then he must have passed away either in 1977 or 78, but no firm confirmation. Edited May 10, 2010 by funkyfeet Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 Bobby Thurston Sweetest Piece Of The Pie music CD album $22.85 in stock at CD ... in hearse chasing, issued just months after the great singer's death. ... The LP came out in 1978 so if the above statement is true then he must have passed away either in 1977 or 78, but no firm confirmation. Cant be as he had a massive hit with "Check out the groove " April 1980 and the follow up albums in 81/82-however SPOTP was re-issued in 1988.....so that might make more sense Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 ralph tee will know or john benson i know hes gone but dont know when. Hi fuzz Just got a message off Ralph Tee on Facebook He says "Bobby Thurston died MANY years ago" ..... so we still need to establish where & when & how-like F**king CLUDO this one ! Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Fuzzj Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Hi fuzz Just got a message off Ralph Tee on Facebook He says "Bobby Thurston died MANY years ago" ..... so we still need to establish where & when & how-like F**king CLUDO this one ! Rob rob bobby appeared on top of the pops in 81 ish . im sure one of dearloves repoters did an indepth interview 4 voices from the shadows 90s i will have a look or ask richard searling hes a fountain of trivia dates times etc unless u want to send him a email gud look Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 rob bobby appeared on top of the pops in 81 ish . im sure one of dearloves repoters did an indepth interview 4 voices from the shadows 90s i will have a look or ask richard searling hes a fountain of trivia dates times etc unless u want to send him a email gud look bobby thurston b. 1954, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Bobby Thurston hails from Washington D.C. Bobby originally sang backing vocals and played congas with the group Spectrum Ltd while at high school. Eventually he took over as lead singer while maintaining a job at the State Department. Performing one night he met producers Willie Lester and Ronnie Brown who took him to the Prelude label. Here Lester / Brown wrote and produced his debut album 'You Got What It Takes,' from which 'Check Out The Groove' was a UK Top 10 in 1980. The album contained Bobby's version of Billy Stewarts classic 'Sitting In The Park'. 'The Main Attraction' followed in 1981 and featured the popular 'Very Last Drop'. Bobby moved on to Willie Lester and Ronnie Brown's own label Mainline for one album, 'Sweetest Piece Of The Pie', including 'Just Ask Me' and 'Treat Me The Same Way', eventually released in the UK on the Hi Hut label in 1988. The album featured Al Johnson on keyboards and arrangements. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rob Wigley Posted May 10, 2010 Author Share Posted May 10, 2010 Yes he was in the UK at the Skeggy Tent thing that member Golden 101 put on in 1980/1 ? I know several people that saw him "Live" there although the event was far ahead of its time for its day. I think Bobby never returned to the USA , but decided to take up a career as "The Jolly Fisherman" I think he's hiding in Donna & Daves cafe I WILL get to the bottom of this one day Rob Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Rob I saw him at Skeggy with Mass Production and he never even had any "Chips" and as much as I love Skeggy I don't think he bid on a bungalow in Chapel St leonards. Have sent emails to some contacts to see if they have any idea where the man is Soulfully Yours Jonathan Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve G Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 (edited) Thanks for posting that Rob, but hey another review that misses out his Avco 45 and his first LP. What's with these internet turnips that can't get their facts right.? Fookin ameteurs. Edited May 10, 2010 by Steve G Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
John Benson Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 ralph tee will know or john benson i know hes gone but dont know when. Sorry but I don't know any more info than we already have here If it was reported in David Cole's mag 'In the Basement', maybe he still has a contact who can confirm this for sure? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Jbabyncville Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 On 5/2/2010 at 03:05, Guest said: I have checked the information super highway , and there is nothing stating BT has given up his very last drop , sorry breath , and has yet to check out the grave , soory goove ...... Looks like he is still with us Rob . Looked at my article yet ? It is like waiting for the exam results to come in ....... Malc Burton. I'm a distant cousin...I don't recall hearing that he is dead and Spokeo has him listed as still alive. If and when I find out anything different, I'll update. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Jbabyncville Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 On 4/14/2018 at 20:14, Jbabyncville said: I'm a distant cousin...I don't recall hearing that he is dead and Spokeo has him listed as still alive. If and when I find out anything different, I'll update. In Memory of Bobby THURSTON March 28, 1947 - September 7, 2016 Obituary Arrangements under the direction of National Harmony Memorial Park, HYATTSVILLE, MD. "Mr. Bobby Haywood Thurston is resting in the Garden of Warren, Lot 319, Site 4.Any obituary would be at the funeral home which was McGuire Funeral Home." was the quote I received from National Harmony Memorial Park and was referred to McGuire Funeral Home. Yet the funeral home website has no obit and like someome else said I was not able to find a death certificate either...Strange altogether....I don't know what else to say. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mickey Finn Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Well, thanks for taking the trouble to find out. What a shame that he's no longer with us, and so recently too. RIP Bobby. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Jbabyncville Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 I guess he's not with us....no obit, no death certificate and when you do a search of the cemetary website, it has no record... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mickey Finn Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 https://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Bobby-THURSTON&lc=9735&pid=181438857&uuid=98fd405a-9acc-4242-b2c6-1a273bd59192 According to this link there's a book of remembrance that is now closed but can be reopened. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Still Diggin Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 5 hours ago, Mickey Finn said: https://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Bobby-THURSTON&lc=9735&pid=181438857&uuid=98fd405a-9acc-4242-b2c6-1a273bd59192 According to this link there's a book of remembrance that is now closed but can be reopened. I seem to remember reading some time ago that Bobby had infact passed away. However the obituary mentioned above has a birth date of 1947, however discogs has a birth date of 1954 which ties in a little better with the start of most artists recording deals, ie Mainline records ' This cant be happening to me' 1975, later picked up by Avco. Although discogs has no listing for the Mainline 45 only Avco, I am pretty sure it was his first as I have a copy. So maybe the obituary above is a different person? Andy Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Jbabyncville Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 On 4/18/2018 at 18:46, still diggin said: I seem to remember reading some time ago that Bobby had infact passed away. However the obituary mentioned above has a birth date of 1947, however discogs has a birth date of 1954 which ties in a little better with the start of most artists recording deals, ie Mainline records ' This cant be happening to me' 1975, later picked up by Avco. Although discogs has no listing for the Mainline 45 only Avco, I am pretty sure it was his first as I have a copy. So maybe the obituary above is a different person? Andy My mother's father(who came back to VA) and Bobby's father(who stayed in DC) were brothers. My Mom was born in 1945 and she has fond memories of him as a child near her age. If he was born in 1954 as stated he would have came along with the twins born in 1955 instead of Mom. Maybe they fudged with his age??? I only met him once in maybe 1981 or 1982 and he appeared more closer to my Mom's age....IDK I'm still looking. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Get involved with Soul Source
Add your comments now
Join Soul Source
A free & easy soul music affair!
Join Soul Source now!Log in to Soul Source
Jump right back in!
Log in now!