James Brown's bassist over 35 years
Fred Thomas occupies a very special niche in the history R&B. As James Brown’s principal bassist since 1971 (the “Make if Funky” era), he participated in one the most prolific periods in the Godfather of Soul’s incredible career as a member of Brown’s band, the J.B.'s.
His first three singles as solo artist were released Spring 2024 under Curtis E Records, titled "Living in New York City" (May 3) followed by "Nothing's Gonna Change (My Love for You)" (May 17) and "For a Lick and a Promise" (May 31).
Fred can be heard on hits such as: “Hot Pants”, “Papa Don’t Take No Mess,” “Make it Funky,” "Get on the Good Foot," "Doing it to Death," "I'm a Greedy Man," "I Got Ants in My Pants," "There it Is," "Stoned to the Bone," and instrumental classics like “Pass the Peas” and “Gimme Some More.” His lines heard on songs like Bobby Byrd's "I Know You Got Soul", Lyn Collin's "Think" have been sampled numerous times.
He's on the seminal "Live at the Apollo Vol. 3 Revolution of the Mind" and can be seen in "Soul Power" (2008) documentary of James Brown's 1974 concert in Zaire, and in the many James Brown "Soul Train" appearances.
In his band, Fred Thomas is front and center singing, playing bass and tearing into a mix of blues and soul classics and the JB hits he recorded on.
“Living in New York City.” I wrote the song back in the late 80's before I rejoined James Brown in 1992. I was just rolling along doing what was necessary and available to me to keep on doing my best. Sometime down and out but I had to keep on moving and never was in doubt,” from Fred Thomas.