BIOGRAPHY
Tony Thompson, born Anthony T. Thompson on November 15, 1954 in Springfield Gardens, Queens, New York, was an American session drummer best known for his drumming with The Power Station (1984–85, 1995–97) and his long tenure with Chic (1977-83).
Thompson played drums on numerous hit recordings including Chic's first hit, "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)", "Le Freak" and "Good Times", Sister Sledge hits "We Are Family" and "He's the Greatest Dancer", as well as "Upside Down" and "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross. He also played drums on a long list of successful albums such as Diana for Diana Ross, David Bowie's Let's Dance, Madonna's Like a Virgin, The Honeydrippers - Vol 1, The Power Station's 1985 album Power Station, Robert Palmer's Riptide, and even Adam Ant with his unreleased Persuasion album.
Throughout his music career, Thompson played drums for Patti Labelle, Raymond Jones (Ecstasy, Passion & Pain), Jody Watley, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Robert Palmer, Adam Ant, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Non-Toxic, The Distance, Crown of Thorns, and was a founding member of That Hideous Strength.
The 1985 Live Aid charity benefit concert saw Thompson playing drums with The Power Station as well as joining the remaining members of Led Zeppelin on stage (along with Phil Collins) at John F. Kennedy Stadium. Led Zeppelin again asked Thompson to join them as a replacement for John Bonham during their 1986 reunion attempt which later stalled (in part) because Thompson was in a serious car accident that year and was unable to continue drumming at that time.
Tony Thompson died in Los Angeles, CA on November 12, 2003, within one month of being diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer); he was 48.
