Ian Thomas (Canadian musician)
Encyclopedia
Ian Thomas is a singer, songwriter, actor and author. He is younger brother to famed comedian and actor Dave Thomas
.
musician in Canada during the 1970s, with his most memorable hit being 1973's "Painted Ladies". Success in the American market, however, has proven to be elusive with the possible exception of "Painted Ladies", which remains his only U.S. Top 40 hit, and the song "Runner" which was recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
. He has also done musical composition for about a dozen films and television shows. Before breaking through with "Painted Ladies", he was a producer at the CBC. Before that, he was part of the folk music
group Tranquillity Base.
In 1974 he won a Juno Award
for "Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year".
In 1981, Thomas made a cameo appearance on SCTV
with his real life brother Dave Thomas during a sketch of "The Great White North". He played himself and performed the songs, "Pilot" and "Hold On". He also wrote and recorded the theme song for his brother's film Strange Brew
. As well, Thomas was a musical guest on the CTV
children's show Whatever Turns You On (a short-lived spinoff of You Can't Do That on Television
) in 1979.
Many of his songs have been covered
by popular artists, including "Hold On" (Santana
, 1982), "The Runner" (Manfred Mann
's Earth Band, 1984), "Right Before Your Eyes" (America
, 1983), and "Chains" (Chicago
). In 1988, Daryl Braithwaite
had hits in Australia with two Thomas compositions: "As the Days Go By" (which peaked at #10), and "All I Do" (a #12 chart hit). Bette Midler
also covered his song "To Comfort You" on her Bette of Roses CD.
He is also known for the portrayal of the character "Dougie Franklin" on the Canadian comedy series The Red Green Show
.
From 1991 through 2002, Thomas released four albums with The Boomers
.
Currently, he performs with Murray McLauchlan
, Cindy Church
, and Marc Jordan
in the group Lunch At Allen's
.
In 2009, Thomas provided the music for the animated series Bob & Doug
, based on the SCTV characters of the same name.
He has written two books, Bequest (2006), Canadian Best Seller, and The Lost Chord (2008), both through Manor House Publishing
.
In 2010, Wounded Bird Records re-issued "Still Here" on CD.
Dave Thomas (actor)
David "Dave" Thomas is a Canadian comedian and actor. He was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, but moved to Durham, North Carolina where his father, John E. Thomas, attended Duke University and earned a PhD in Philosophy. Thomas attended George Watts and Moorehead elementary schools...
.
Career
Thomas was a successful rock and rollRock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
musician in Canada during the 1970s, with his most memorable hit being 1973's "Painted Ladies". Success in the American market, however, has proven to be elusive with the possible exception of "Painted Ladies", which remains his only U.S. Top 40 hit, and the song "Runner" which was recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Manfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann.-Formation:Having started in the 1960s with a British band that had such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn", then moving on to Jazz Fusion with Manfred Mann's Chapter Three, Manfred's third...
. He has also done musical composition for about a dozen films and television shows. Before breaking through with "Painted Ladies", he was a producer at the CBC. Before that, he was part of the folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
group Tranquillity Base.
In 1974 he won a Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
for "Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year".
In 1981, Thomas made a cameo appearance on SCTV
Second City Television
Second City Television is a Canadian television sketch comedy show offshoot from Toronto's The Second City troupe that ran between 1976 and 1984.- Premise :...
with his real life brother Dave Thomas during a sketch of "The Great White North". He played himself and performed the songs, "Pilot" and "Hold On". He also wrote and recorded the theme song for his brother's film Strange Brew
Strange Brew
The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie: Strange Brew is a 1983 Canadian comedy film starring the popular SCTV characters Bob and Doug McKenzie, played by Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis, who also served as co-directors. Max von Sydow co-stars....
. As well, Thomas was a musical guest on the CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
children's show Whatever Turns You On (a short-lived spinoff of You Can't Do That on Television
You Can't Do That on Television
You Can't Do That on Television is a Canadian television program that first aired locally in 1979 before ultimately airing internationally in 1981...
) in 1979.
Many of his songs have been covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by popular artists, including "Hold On" (Santana
Carlos Santana
Carlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...
, 1982), "The Runner" (Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann
Manfred Mann was a British beat, rhythm and blues and pop band of the 1960s, named after their South African keyboardist, Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band...
's Earth Band, 1984), "Right Before Your Eyes" (America
America (band)
America is an English-American folk rock band that originally included members Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek. The three members were barely out of their teens when they became a musical sensation during 1972, scoring #1 hits and winning a Grammy for best new musical artist...
, 1983), and "Chains" (Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
). In 1988, Daryl Braithwaite
Daryl Braithwaite
Daryl Braithwaite is an Australian pop singer. Best known as the lead vocalist of Sherbet, Braithwaite has also sustained a successful solo career, placing 15 singles in the Australian top 40, including the No...
had hits in Australia with two Thomas compositions: "As the Days Go By" (which peaked at #10), and "All I Do" (a #12 chart hit). Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
also covered his song "To Comfort You" on her Bette of Roses CD.
He is also known for the portrayal of the character "Dougie Franklin" on the Canadian comedy series The Red Green Show
The Red Green Show
The Red Green Show is a Canadian television comedy that aired on various channels in Canada, with its ultimate home at CBC Television, and on Public Broadcasting Service stations in the United States, from 1991 until the series finale April 7, 2006 on CBC...
.
From 1991 through 2002, Thomas released four albums with The Boomers
The Boomers (band)
The Boomers YYZ are a Canadian rock band from Ontario. Although their first album What We Do was not initially a commercial success in Canada, it became a cult hit in Germany, leading to a tour in 1991. This success promped the band to record The Art of Living; the single "You Gotta Know" was a...
.
Currently, he performs with Murray McLauchlan
Murray McLauchlan
Murray McLauchlan, CM is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player.-Biography:Born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, he emigrated to Canada with his family when he was five years old...
, Cindy Church
Cindy Church
Cindy Church is a Canadian country and folk artist. Church released three studio albums on Stony Plain Records and was nominated for Best Country Female Vocalist at the Juno Awards in 1995 and 1996. She is also a member of the award winning group Quartette....
, and Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan , is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician, and actor. Covering a wide variety of genres, he has written songs for a number of well-known artists, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, and Josh Groban...
in the group Lunch At Allen's
Lunch At Allen's
Lunch At Allen's is a band consisting of four Canadian artists of folk, country, and popular music. The band was formed as a result of meeting in Toronto for lunch at Allens restaurant after one of the members' heart bypass surgery.-Members:...
.
In 2009, Thomas provided the music for the animated series Bob & Doug
Bob & Doug (2009 TV series)
Bob and Doug is a Canadian animated sitcom, which premiered on Global on April 19, 2009. The series is a revival of the SCTV sketch characters Bob and Doug McKenzie....
, based on the SCTV characters of the same name.
He has written two books, Bequest (2006), Canadian Best Seller, and The Lost Chord (2008), both through Manor House Publishing
Manor House Publishing
Manor House Publishing Incorporated is a small publishing company based in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, established 1998. It publishes mostly in soft cover books by Canadian authors, many previously unpublished...
.
In 2010, Wounded Bird Records re-issued "Still Here" on CD.
With Tranquility Base (1970-71)
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada RPM 100 RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
Canada A/C |
US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|||
| 1970 | "If You're Lookin'" | 24 | 47 | - | Non-LP singles |
| "In the Rain" | - | - | - |
Ian Thomas solo career (1973-1988)
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada RPM 100 RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
Canada A/C |
US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|||
| 1973 | "Painted Ladies" | 4 | 5 | 34 | Ian Thomas |
| "Come the Son" | 41 | 84 | - | ||
| 1974 | "Long Long Way" | 85 | 39 | - | Long Long Way |
| 1975 | "Mother Earth" | 41 | - | - | Re-recorded single version: Original version from Long Long Way |
| "Julie" | 69 | - | - | Delights | |
| "The Good Life" | 92 | - | - | ||
| 1976 | "Liars" | 25 | - | - | Calabash |
| "Mary Jane" | - | - | - | ||
| 1977 | "Right Before Your Eyes" | 57 | - | - | |
| 1978 | "Coming Home" | 40 | 33 | - | Still Here |
| 1978 | "I Really Love You" | - | - | - | |
| 1979 | "Time is the Keeper" | 71 | - | - | Glider |
| "Pilot" | 83 | - | - | ||
| 1980 | "Tear Down the Wall" | - | - | - | The Best of Ian Thomas |
| 1981 | "The Runner" | - | - | - | The Runner |
| "Hold On" | 28 | 20 | - | ||
| "Borrowed Time" | - | - | - | ||
| "Chains" | 29 | - | - | ||
| 1983 | "Strange Brew" | - | - | - | Strange Brew Strange Brew The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie: Strange Brew is a 1983 Canadian comedy film starring the popular SCTV characters Bob and Doug McKenzie, played by Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis, who also served as co-directors. Max von Sydow co-stars.... Soundtrack |
| 1984 | "Do You Right" | 65 | - | - | Riders on Dark Horses |
| "Picking Up the Pieces" | - | - | - | ||
| 1985 | "Endless Emotion" | - | - | - | Add Water |
| "Harmony" | - | - | - | ||
| "Touch Me" | - | - | - | ||
| 1988 | "Back to Square One" | - | - | - | Levity |
| "Levity" | 25 | - | - |
With The Boomers (1991-2002)
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada RPM 100 RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
Canada A/C |
US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|||
| 1991 | "Love You Too Much" | 41 | 32 | - | What We Do |
| "One Little Word" | 49 | 29 | - | ||
| "Wishes" | 68 | 28 | - | ||
| 1993 | "You've Got to Know" | 20 | 26 | - | Art of Living |
| "Art of Living" | 41 | - | - | ||
| 1994 | "Good Again" | 68 | - | - | |
| 1996 | "I Feel a Change Coming" | 17 | 15 | - | 25 Thousand Days |
| 1997 | "Saving Face" | 18 | 24 | - | |
| 2002 | "I Want to Believe in Something" | - | - | - | Midway |
With Lunch At Allen's (2004-present)
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada RPM 100 RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
Canada A/C |
US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
|||
| 2004 | "Perfect World" | - | - | - | Lunch at Allen's |
| 2007 | "What Kind of Love" | - | - | - | Catch the Moon |
Solo albums
- 1973 - Ian Thomas
- 1974 - Long Long Way
- 1975 - Delights
- 1976 - Calabash (aka Goodnight Mrs. Calabash)
- 1978 - Still Here
- 1979 - Glider
- 1980 - The Best of Ian Thomas
- 1981 - The Runner
- 1984 - Riders on Dark Horses
- 1985 - Add Water
- 1988 - Levity
- 1993 - Looking Back
Albums with The Boomers
- 1991 - What We Do
- 1993 - Art of Living
- 1996 - 25 Thousand Days
- 2002 - Midway
Albums with Lunch At Allen's
- 2004 - Lunch At Allen's
- 2007 - Catch The Moon
- 2010 - More Lunch At Allen's