B.J. Thomas passed away on May 29, at the age of 78, after a brave battle with cancer. The singer, known for hits like “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” “Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love” and more, announced in March that he had Stage 4 lung cancer.
“I just wanted to take this unique opportunity to share my gratitude to Gloria, my wonderful wife and my rock for over 53 years, my family, friends, and fans,” Thomas said at the time. “I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to record and perform beautiful songs in pop, country, and gospel music, and to share those wonderful songs and memories around the world with millions of you. I ask all of you for your prayers during this time and that my music can live on with you.”
It didn’t take long after the news of his passing for artists to speak out about his enduring legacy, in pop, country music and Christian music.
“As a young man BJ’s biography and song called Home Where I Belong and his testimony of how Jesus Christ changed his life meant the world to me,” the Oak Ridge Boys‘ Joe Bonsall tweeted. “A few years ago I shared that with him one night over pizza on the Country Music Cruise. We cried and prayed together. I loved BJ Thomas.”
As a young man BJ’s biography and song called Home Where I Belong and his testimony of how Jesus Christ changed his life meant the world to me A few years ago I shared that with him one night over pizza on the Country Music Cruise We cried and prayed together I loved BJ Thomas pic.twitter.com/wh6l1eH0UX
— Joe Bonsall (@joebonsall) May 30, 2021
This is such sad news!” Travis Tritt said. “I had the privilege of establishing a friendship with BJ Thomas over the past year and was able to tell him how much his music had meant to me personally. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans.”
This is such sad news! I had the privilege of establishing a friendship with BJ Thomas over the past year and was able to tell him how much his music had meant to me personally. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans. #RIPBJThomas 🙏🏼 https://t.co/NXw0ybwzUN
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) May 30, 2021
“B.J.’ s music was a big part of my life as a kid, as a boy,” Steven Curtis Chapman said in a video he posted on social media, also sharing snippets of some of Thomas’ songs. “I got to meet him one time, very briefly … When B.J. Thomas came out with a gospel album, and started to talk about his faith; he had become a Christian and it was just a real radical transformation in his life, I wore that record out.”
Saddened by the news of the passing of a great artist and a brother who inspired and influenced me as a boy…Welcome Home BJ Thomas. pic.twitter.com/lbEyBcGSEQ
— Steven Curtis Chapman (@StevenCurtis) May 30, 2021
“In memory of one of the greatest voices ever in music… a true gentleman and a kind friend,” Dwight Yoakam wrote. “No one could peddle a note as smooth as BJ Thomas… Rest in sweet peace BJ. God keep you in his arms…Dwight.”
In memory of one of the greatest voices ever in music… a true gentleman and a kind friend. No one could peddle a note as smooth as BJ Thomas…
Rest in sweet peace BJ.
God keep you in his arms…
Dwighthttps://t.co/PtyUY3G7QS— Dwight Yoakam (@DwightYoakam) May 30, 2021
“BJ Thomas not only had a great voice, but he was right for his time in the movie, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid with the song Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head which was perfect for his career,” said Lee Greenwood. “I knew him personally & he was a wonderful human being. He will be sadly missed.”
BJ Thomas not only had a great voice, but he was right for his time in the movie, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid with the song Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head which was perfect for his career. I knew him personally & he was a wonderful human being. He will be sadly missed. pic.twitter.com/zFEVHq8qfj
— Lee Greenwood (@TheLeeGreenwood) May 30, 2021
Thomas is survived by his wife,Gloria, their three daughters, Paige Thomas, Nora Cloud, and Erin Moore, and four grandchildren, Nadia Cloud, Keira Cloud, Ruby Moore, and Billy Joe Moore. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Mission Arlington, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and the SPCA of Texas.
Everything Nash extends their deepest condolences to Thomas’ family.
