Sonny Thompson

Sonny Thompson (b August 22, 1923, Centreville, Mississippi - d August 11, 1989, Chicago) was an American R&B bandleader and pianist popular in the 1940s and 1950s.

Born Alfonso Thompson, he began recording in 1946, and in 1948 achieved two # 1 R&B hits on the Miracle label - "Long Gone (Parts I and II)" and "Late Freight", both featuring saxophonist Eddie Chamblee. The follow-ups "Blue Dreams" and "Still Gone" were smaller hits.

By 1952 he had moved on to King Records. There, he had further R&B top ten successes with singer Lula Reed, the biggest hit being "I'll Drown In My Tears". He continued to work as a session musician, and to perform with Reed into the early 1960s. He also had success as a songwriter, often co-writing with blues guitarist Freddie King.