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All Music Guide:
Nicky Thomas was born Cecil Nicholas Thomas in Portland, Jamaica, in 1949. His first hit in the islands was "Run Nigel Run," produced by Derrick Harriot in 1969, but Thomas' most successful songs were recorded with producer Joe Gibbs, including the wonderful "Love of the Common People," which rode its reggae-pop sound into the U.K. Top Ten in 1970. Following a tour of Britain in support of the single that same year, Thomas decided to stay, and he continued to release his brand of pop-infused reggae from the U.K. until his death in 1990. Sort of a poor man's Jimmy Cliff, Thomas produced a small but infectious body of work, and he deserves to be remembered on the strength of "Love of the Common People" alone, as well as for songs like "BBC," a harsh criticism of Radio 1's treatment of Jamaican reggae artists.
Wikipedia:
Nicky Thomas (born Cecil Nicholas Thomas, 30 May 1949, Portland, Jamaica - died 1990) was a reggae singer who enjoyed considerable chart success in the 1970s.
Biography
After working as a labourer along with future members of The Gladiators, Thomas's break came with "Run Mr. Nigel Run", produced by Derrick Harriott. This was followed by a successful association with producer Joe Gibbs, with hits following in the form of "God Bless The Children", "Mama's Song", "Rainy Night In Georgia" and "If I Had a Hammer". He broke into the UK Top 10 in 1970 with his version of "Love of the Common People" which sold over 175,000 copies in the UK. A concert tour followed, after which Thomas decided to stay in the United Kingdom, promoting a compilation album of his work with Gibbs, also entitled Love of the Common People. This was followed by his self-produced Tell It Like It Is album, featuring the near-hit "Yesterday Man", and "BBC", his commentary on the lack of airplay for reggae records on BBC Radio 1.
Thomas continued recording commercial reggae, working with the likes of Lloyd Charmers. In 1974, he toured the UK backed by the musicians who would later go on to become Misty In Roots.
Nicky Thomas committed suicide in 1990.
