Soul Shouting Tommy

Biography

Thomas James Hunt, known professionally as Tommy Hunt, was born on June 18, 1933, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and became one of the most significant figures in northern soul music. After a tumultuous early life that included time in reform school and the U.S. Air Force, Hunt went AWOL to be with his dying mother and subsequently served prison time for desertion. Following his release, he relocated to Chicago where he joined the Five Echoes before being recruited by the legendary doo-wop group the Flamingos in 1959, replacing drafted member Zeke Carey. With the Flamingos, Hunt achieved international success with the classic recording "I Only Have Eyes for You," performing alongside musical giants including Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, and Diana Ross, and becoming a regular performer at the Apollo Theater in New York.

In 1970, seeking new opportunities, Hunt made the pivotal decision to relocate to England, where he would reinvent himself as a northern soul icon. He became a fixture on the northern soul circuit, performing at legendary venues like the Wigan Casino and recording several hits on Spark Records, including a cover of "Crackin' Up." His passionate vocal delivery and authentic soul style resonated deeply with the northern soul audience, earning him a devoted following of over one million fans and establishing him as one of the greatest vocalists of the movement. Hunt's career spanned decades, taking him from the cabaret circuit to Amsterdam in 1986 and eventually back to the UK in 1997, where he continued performing with backing groups including the New Flamingos, the Black Beltones, and the Twisted Wheels. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 as a member of the Flamingos and received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. Hunt passed away on February 12, 2025, at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy that spanned from the golden age of doo-wop through the northern soul renaissance.

Fun Facts

• Hunt went AWOL from the U.S. Air Force to visit his sick mother, an act of devotion that resulted in prison time for desertion but demonstrated the deep personal values that would characterize his life.
• Despite being sent to reform school as an elementary student, Hunt's passion for music never wavered, and he went on to perform alongside some of the greatest soul musicians of all time, including Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross.
• Hunt was one of the last surviving members of the original Flamingos and continued recording new music well into his 90s, releasing an album with The Twisted Wheels in 2024 where he wrote all the lyrics.
• Hunt's autobiography, titled "Only Human, My Soulful Life," was published in December 2008 and provided an intimate account of his journey from Pittsburgh to becoming a northern soul legend.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Zeke Carey - Original Flamingos member whose departure created the opportunity for Hunt to join the group (The Flamingos) [1959]

Key Collaborators

• The Flamingos - Primary vocal group where Hunt achieved international success with doo-wop recordings (I Only Have Eyes for You (1959)) [1959-1960s]
• Russ Winstanley and Mike Walker - Wigan Casino operators who approached Hunt and facilitated his northern soul career (Northern soul recordings on Spark Records) [1970s]
• The New Flamingos - Backing group formed with members of Spanish vocal group Velvet Candles for revival performances (Live performances including Screamin' Summer Festival Barcelona) [2011 onwards]
• The Black Beltones - Backing band for live performances (Live shows) [2010s]
• The Twisted Wheels - Backing band for performances around Spain (First album (2024) with all lyrics written by Hunt) [2010s-2024]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. To Be Loved by You (You Gave Me Reason to Live - Southern and Deep Soul from Louisiana)
2. I'm the Man (The Funky Side of Goldband/ANLA Records)
3. I'm the Man (The Funky Side of Goldband/ANLA Records)
4. To Be Loved By You (You Gave Me Reason To Live - Southern And Deep Soul From Louisiana)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz