Thompson, Robbin

Robbin Thompson (June 16, 1949, Boston, MA – October 10, 2015, Richmond, VA) was an American singer-songwriter born in Boston, Massachusetts and based in Richmond, Virginia. Since 1976 he has recorded several albums which have featured guest appearances by, among others, Melissa Manchester, Steve Cropper, Waddy Wachtel, Bruce Hornsby and Ellen McIlwaine. He was also a member of an early Bruce Springsteen band, Steel Mill, and has co-written songs with Timothy B. Schmit, Phil Vassar, and Butch Taylor and Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band. He has twice won the American Song Festival and in 1980 had a minor national hit with "Brite Eyes". He has also written songs which have featured on the soundtracks of Gleaming the Cube and The Fighting Temptations. His song, "Sweet Virginia Breeze", has been designated the Official "Popular" State song of Virginia.

Thompson was asked to join Steel Mill in August of 1970 by Bruce Springsteen who wanted to expand their vocal ranges and share some lead singing with him. Thompson first performed with the band on August 25, 1970, and remained for the rest of the band's existence, a short duration of approximately five months. Springsteen decided to leave Steel Mill and start a new band in January of 1971. Thompson returned to Richmond where he embarked on a fruitful career as a songwriter and band leader. He also owned and operated a recording studio called "In Your Ear Music and Video Productions". Thompson died from cancer on October 10, 2015.

Source: Wikipedia and Albee Tellone