Hayden Thompson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hayden Thompson | |
|---|---|
 Thompson in 1992 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | March 5, 1938 Booneville, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | December 31, 2025 (aged 87) Glenview, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Rockabilly, rock and roll, country |
| Occupations | Guitarist, musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1953–? |
Hayden Thompson (March 5, 1938 – December 31, 2025) was an American singer, songwriter and rockabilly musician.[1] He is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.[2]
Thompson was born in Booneville, Mississippi, United States.[1] During high school Thompson formed the Southern Melody Boys, who made a 1954 recording which led from a radio session. "I Feel the Blues Coming On" was sung by Thompson and gave them another radio appearance on the "Louisiana Hayride" show.[3] Thompson then joined the Dixie Jazzlanders who toured Mississippi. He relocated to Memphis, Tennessee and made an unreleased recording in 1956. "Love My Baby" was issued on the Phillips International label in September 1957, and Thompson toured alongside Sonny Burgess and Billy Lee Riley. The following year, Thompson moved again, this time to Chicago, Illinois, where he gained a residency at Highwood's Tally Ho Club and at the Rivoli Ballroom, Chicago's latest country music venue.[1][3] He played three times at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry in 1966.[3]
Thompson's recording of "$16.88" for Kapp Records sold sufficiently to secure him an offer to record his debut album. Here's Hayden Thompson was released in 1967. Several recordings took place in the early-1970s, but circumstances meant that Thompson left the music industry at this point and worked as a limo driver. He re-emerged in the mid-1980s, becoming a regular performer on European rockabilly revival tours[3] Charly Records released an album of his in 1985.[1] Further albums were released, mainly by various European record labels, over the three decades. These included The Time Is Now (1990).[1]
Thompson died in Glenview, Illinois, on December 31, 2025, at the age of 87.[4][3]
