Nicky Thomas

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. 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.[1] 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".[1] He broke into the UK Top 10 in 1970 with "Love of the Common People" (later also a top 10 hit for Paul Young), a tour following, after which Thomas decided to stay in the United Kingdom, promoting a compilation of his work with Gibbs, also titled 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 the commentary on the lack of airplay for reggae records on Radio 1, "BBC".[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.[