Timmy Thomas

Born on November 13, 1944, in Evansville, Indiana, Timmy Thomas was a musician, singer, songwriter, and producer best known for his single “Why Can't We Live Together,” which sold two million copies and topped the US charts in 1972. He began his career in the music business as a backing vocalist in Phillip and the Faithfuls but came to prominence in the 1960s when he accompanied jazz musicians Donald Byrd and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. A renowned session musician, he then relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, before settling in Miami, Florida. Timmy Thomas made his debut as a solo artist with the single “Why Can’t We Live Together,” which reached Number 1 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart and landed at Number 6 in Canada, Number 12 in England, and Number 25 in Australia. While he continued as a solo artist, he never matched the success of his debut single although he did hit the charts with singles such as "People Are Changin’" (1972), "I've Got to See You Tonight" (1974), and "Gotta Give a Little Love" (1984). He issued several albums during his career including Why Can’t We Live Together (1972), The Magician (1976), Touch to Touch (1977), and With Heart and Soul (1994). After the release of his 1994 album, he devoted the rest of his career to production and music education. Timmy Thomas died on March 11, 2022, at the age of 77.