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Robbin Thompson

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427:, released in 1980 and credited to The Robbin Thompson Band. Background vocals on the majority of album were provided by Schmit and Roberts. The album would eventually sell 200,000 copies and included a re-recorded version of "Sweet Virginia Breeze" as well as "Candy Apple Red" and "Brite Eyes". All three songs were hits in the Southeastern United States. The latter song was also a minor national hit and spent nine weeks on the 241:
Between 1963-67 he was the lead singer and songwriter with several Florida-based bands including The Hanging Five, The Five Gents and The Tasmanians. The latter band even released a couple of singles in 1966. In 1968 he formed Transcontinental Mercy Flight before moving to
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song "Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go". According to Thompson they were going to try and perform a version of "He's Guilty (Send That Boy To Jail)", a Steel Mill-era song that Thompson had recorded. However, apparently nobody in the E Street Band could remember how it went.
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In 1976, Thompson launched his solo career with the release of an eponymous album on Nemperor Records. Among the album's highlights was the American Song Festival winner "Boy From Boston". The album featured guest appearances by
313:. While Springsteen was Steel Mill's main songwriter, the band performed some Thompson songs, including "Train Ride". Thompson would release his own version of this song as a B-side in 1982 and then on a 1999 re-issue of 508:
and saw Schmit once again provide backing vocals. In between Thompson was also involved in a collaboration with fellow songwriters Michael Lille and Lewis McGehee, recording an eponymous album as The Famous Unknowns.
524:, again featured Schmit and Taylor, as well a song called "Orange Moon" that was recorded in Shanghai with traditional Chinese musical instruments. It included another Springsteen/Steel Mill song, "The Train Song". 344:
After the breakup of Steel Mill, Thompson and Springsteen occasionally guested at each other's concerts. On August 6, 1981 at the Bayou Club in Washington D.C., Thompson was joined onstage by Springsteen,
420:, a collaboration with another Richmond-based songwriter, Steve Bassett. Among the songs they co-wrote and recorded for this album was an early version of "Sweet Virginia Breeze". 466:", was his first to be released on his own label Out There Records. It also included "Guilty", Thompson's version of "He's Guilty (Send That Boy To Jail)", originally written by 266:
decided to add another vocalist he recruited Thompson. He made his debut with Steel Mill on August 29, 1970 at the 3rd Annual Nashville Music Festival, sponsored by
1262: 1257: 193:. He twice won the American Song Festival and in 1980 had a minor national hit with "Brite Eyes". He also wrote songs featured on the soundtracks of 406:. Schmit would go on to provide harmony vocals on several of Thompson's albums. They co-wrote "Find Out in Time", which was recorded by Schmit with 532:
with an invited audience of eighty people over two nights. It features thirteen live tracks and stories about how some of the songs were written.
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chart, reaching No. 78. The album included "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues", which was originally intended to be theme song for a film based on the
1252: 1121: 1165: 1140: 1302: 1297: 1171: 833: 1237: 235: 922: 895: 864: 1272: 1267: 1247: 1227: 1197: 1232: 482:, which combined five new songs with eleven songs from his first four albums. Among the new songs was the title song for the film 1242: 1222: 1287: 1292: 478:. Another highlight was "You're My Obsession" which was an American Song Festival winner in 1984. In 1988 Thompson released 262:
when they played a concert at VCU. Throughout early 1970 Mercy Flight continued to open regularly for Steel Mill and when
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plus later songs such as the original version of "Sweet Virginia Breeze" and a reissue of "Guilty". His 2003 album,
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and died of cancer on October 10, 2015, after a long battle with a rare gastrointestinal stromal tumor. He was 66.
247: 1202: 970: 1307: 412: 209:", which Thompson co-wrote with Steve Bassett, became Virginia's second official state song (joining " 550: 354: 201: 403: 322: 1125: 944: 306: 227: 206: 53: 1192: 1187: 459: 302: 325:. While Thompson went on to establish his own career, the remaining members of the band – 8: 298: 570: 529: 505: 391: 243: 231: 210: 190: 146: 142: 70: 791:"Sweet Virginia Breeze/Virginia Is For Lovers" (1986, Virginia Is For Lovers 605061XA) 548:
and Butch Taylor of the Dave Matthews Band. It was also featured on the soundtrack of
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Steel Mill was one of about twenty different acts to take part. Headliners included
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Thompson was first diagnosed with cancer in 2000. He was a resident of
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won in The 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for Gospel Song.
119: 1104: 1102: 804:"Candy Apple Red/Barroom Romance" (1980, Richmond Records 500) 317:. Steel Mill played their final show on January 23, 1971 at 1099: 267: 1016:
One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen
807:"Movin' On Up/Train Ride" (1982, Short Pump Records RR502) 701:
One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen
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The Famous Unknowns (with Michael Lille and Lewis McGehee)
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One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs Of Bruce Springsteen
474:. In 1997 this song was also included on the compilation 971:"Iconic Richmond singer-songwriter Robbin Thompson dies" 859: 857: 855: 801:"Brite Eyes/That's Alright" (1980, Ovation Records 1157) 500:
from 1998 was the first of several collaborations with
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while "I Won't Quit" was co-written and recorded with
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Boy From Boston/Another Cup of Coffee and a Cigarette
250:. While at VCU he formed Mercy Flight in early 1969. 1141:"Former Springsteen bandmate, Robbin Thompson, dies" 890: 888: 886: 884: 882: 1006: 1004: 879: 1179: 1001: 1122:"Independent Music Awards – 7th Annual Winners" 741:Dream On Melinda(mono)/Dream On Melinda(stereo) 600:Since Grade School: A Robbin Thompson Anthology 480:Since Grade School: A Robbin Thompson Anthology 451:was eventually made the song was not featured. 434:, peaking at No. 66. It spent six weeks on the 827: 825: 823: 258:On November 11, 1969, Mercy Flight opened for 729:Boy From Boston(mono)/Boy From Boston(stereo) 917: 915: 913: 165:, among others. He was a member of an early 820: 528:was recorded at the in Your Ear Studios in 1138: 423:Thompson had some commercial success with 1174:, richmond.com; accessed January 9, 2016. 910: 1263:21st-century American singer-songwriters 1258:20th-century American singer-songwriters 760:I Can't Explain This Feeling/If I Don't 1180: 372:, joined Springsteen on stage for the 16:American singer-songwriter (1949–2015) 1253:Singer-songwriters from Massachusetts 1139:Napoliello, Alex (October 11, 2015). 963: 925:. RobbinThompson.com. August 28, 2010 898:. RobbinThompson.com. August 29, 2010 867:. RobbinThompson.com. August 29, 2010 540:. The title song was co-written with 831: 458:, which featured cover versions of " 1168:, nj.com; accessed January 9, 2016. 380: 13: 1303:21st-century American male singers 1298:20th-century American male singers 1172:Notice of death of Robbin Thompson 1166:Notice of death of Robbin Thompson 1072:Springsteen – Blinded By The Light 1070:Patrick Humphries and Chris Hunt. 832:Reid, Zachary (October 10, 2015). 447:of the same name. However, when a 14: 1319: 1238:Musicians from Richmond, Virginia 781:Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett 650:Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett 1273:21st-century American guitarists 1268:20th-century American guitarists 1248:Independent Music Awards winners 1228:Singer-songwriters from Virginia 1198:American male singer-songwriters 945:"Virginia now has 2 state songs" 536:featured a guest appearances by 353:for an eight-minute version of " 248:Virginia Commonwealth University 1233:Singer-songwriters from Florida 1132: 1114: 1077: 1064: 1042: 689:(1994, Out There Records 33194) 632:(2006, Out There Records 92305) 626:(2003, Out There Records 31003) 1243:People from Melbourne, Florida 1223:Deaths from cancer in Virginia 1020: 989: 937: 638:(2007, Out There Records 2207) 614:(1998, Out There Records 0898) 608:(1991, Out There Records 6591) 602:(1988, Out There Records 1188) 576: 221: 1: 1288:Guitarists from Massachusetts 813: 735:Dream On Melinda/It's My Turn 706:"Wouldn't Want to Be You" on 657:(1978, Richmond Records 1001) 606:I Don't Need A Reason To Ride 596:(1985, Out There Records 585) 516:, was basically a reissue of 512:In 2002 a second collection, 490:I Don't Need A Reason To Ride 253: 230:. From age seven he lived in 1293:Melbourne High School alumni 775:(1972, Colpar Records 1007S) 743:(1976, Nemperor Records 011) 737:(1976, Nemperor Records 011) 731:(1976, Nemperor Records 010) 725:(1976, Nemperor Records 010) 416:. In 1978 Thompson released 7: 773:What Am I Gonna Do?/Changes 636:Just A Blur In The Rearview 624:One Step Ahead of the Blues 534:Just A Blur in the Rearview 522:One Step Ahead of the Blues 10: 1324: 762:(1966, Power Records 4933) 557:In early 2008, Thompson's 368:, Thompson, together with 234:, where he graduated from 173:, and co-wrote songs with 1208:American rock songwriters 755:(1966, Conda Records 101) 676:(2010, Out There Records) 644:(2013, Out There Records) 620:(2002, Out There Records) 590:(1976, Nemperor 440 0698) 216: 115: 111: 103: 95: 87: 77: 60: 40: 30: 23: 1283:Guitarists from Virginia 1218:American male guitarists 1213:American rock guitarists 1159: 797:The Robbin Thompson Band 663:The Robbin Thompson Band 564: 551:The Fighting Temptations 360:On March 3, 2003 at the 202:The Fighting Temptations 1278:Guitarists from Florida 838:Richmond Times-Dispatch 710:(2001, Capitol Records) 703:(1997, Capitol Records) 323:Asbury Park, New Jersey 36:Robert Wickens Thompson 753:"Baby/Love, Love, Love 594:Better Late Than Never 456:Better Late Than Never 454:Thompson's 1985 album 246:, initially to attend 1203:American rock singers 695:Tracks on anthologies 612:Out on the Chesapeake 559:Move on Down the Line 498:Out on the Chesapeake 410:on their 1977 album, 303:Ike & Tina Turner 236:Melbourne High School 228:Boston, Massachusetts 226:Thompson was born in 207:Sweet Virginia Breeze 54:Boston, Massachusetts 674:Live at the National 670:(1980, Ovation 1759) 687:The Famous Unknowns 492:from 1991 featured 1308:Steel Mill members 977:. October 10, 2015 949:The Progress-Index 571:Richmond, Virginia 530:Richmond, Virginia 506:Dave Matthews Band 392:Melissa Manchester 244:Richmond, Virginia 232:Melbourne, Florida 211:Our Great Virginia 205:. In March 2015, " 191:Dave Matthews Band 147:Melissa Manchester 143:Richmond, Virginia 71:Richmond, Virginia 1128:on March 6, 2009. 1014:liner notes from 1011:Brucebase 1970–71 485:Gleaming the Cube 468:Bruce Springsteen 388:Timothy B. Schmit 362:Richmond Coliseum 264:Bruce Springsteen 196:Gleaming the Cube 175:Timothy B. Schmit 167:Bruce Springsteen 125: 124: 107:Out There Records 1315: 1153: 1152: 1150: 1148: 1136: 1130: 1129: 1124:. 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Retrieved 1134: 1126:the original 1116: 1108: 1089:. Retrieved 1079: 1071: 1066: 1054:. Retrieved 1044: 1032:. Retrieved 1022: 1015: 995: 991: 981:November 22, 979:. Retrieved 965: 953:. Retrieved 948: 939: 927:. Retrieved 900:. Retrieved 869:. Retrieved 842:. Retrieved 837: 796: 780: 772: 767: 759: 754: 748: 740: 734: 728: 722: 715: 707: 700: 694: 686: 681: 673: 667: 662: 654: 649: 641: 635: 629: 623: 617: 611: 605: 599: 593: 587: 580: 568: 558: 556: 549: 533: 525: 521: 517: 513: 511: 502:Butch Taylor 497: 489: 483: 479: 475: 455: 453: 435: 429: 424: 422: 417: 411: 404:Rick Roberts 384: 374:Hank Ballard 359: 343: 314: 299:The Illusion 291:Ballin' Jack 279:Brian Hyland 272: 257: 240: 225: 200: 194: 183:Butch Taylor 138: 134: 130: 129: 66:(2015-10-10) 18: 1193:2015 deaths 1188:1949 births 1147:January 10, 1109:Backstreets 1091:January 10, 1087:. Brucebase 1056:January 10, 1052:. Brucebase 1034:January 10, 1030:. Brucebase 1028:"1949-1964" 996:Backstreets 955:January 10, 844:January 10, 577:Discography 542:Phil Vassar 442:Tom Robbins 287:Bobby Bloom 275:Roy Orbison 222:Early years 179:Phil Vassar 1182:Categories 929:January 9, 902:January 9, 871:January 9, 865:"About Me" 814:References 472:Steel Mill 464:Be My Baby 327:Vini Lopez 260:Steel Mill 254:Steel Mill 171:Steel Mill 96:Instrument 88:Occupation 47:1949-06-16 32:Birth name 923:"Buy CDs" 699:"Guilty" 430:Billboard 82:Folk rock 1143:. NJ.com 716:Singles 655:Together 437:Cash Box 418:Together 139:Thompson 91:Musician 975:WTVR-TV 768:Robbin' 581:Albums 504:of the 462:" and " 364:during 189:of the 116:Website 1085:"2003" 1074:(1985) 1050:"1981" 496:while 432:charts 307:Cactus 217:Career 169:band, 135:Robbin 104:Labels 99:Guitar 78:Genres 73:, U.S. 56:, U.S. 1160:Links 565:Death 445:novel 355:Carol 1149:2016 1093:2016 1058:2016 1036:2016 983:2016 957:2016 931:2016 904:2016 873:2016 846:2016 470:for 449:film 408:Poco 402:and 349:and 333:and 309:and 297:and 268:WMAC 213:"). 199:and 185:and 181:and 161:and 61:Died 41:Born 357:". 321:in 1184:: 1101:^ 1003:^ 973:. 947:. 912:^ 881:^ 854:^ 836:. 822:^ 554:. 488:. 398:, 394:, 390:, 341:. 329:, 305:, 293:, 289:, 285:, 281:, 277:, 270:. 238:. 177:, 157:, 153:, 149:, 137:" 1151:. 1095:. 1060:. 1038:. 985:. 959:. 933:. 906:. 875:. 848:. 133:" 49:) 45:(

Index

Boston, Massachusetts
Richmond, Virginia
Folk rock
Official website
Richmond, Virginia
Melissa Manchester
Steve Cropper
Waddy Wachtel
Bruce Hornsby
Ellen McIlwaine
Bruce Springsteen
Steel Mill
Timothy B. Schmit
Phil Vassar
Butch Taylor
Carter Beauford
Dave Matthews Band
Gleaming the Cube
The Fighting Temptations
Sweet Virginia Breeze
Our Great Virginia
Boston, Massachusetts
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne High School
Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University
Steel Mill
Bruce Springsteen
WMAC
Roy Orbison

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