Timmy Thomas Dies: Singer-Songwriter Of 1972 Hit Anti-Battle Anthem ‘Why Can’t We Reside In combination’ Was once 77

Timmy Thomas, the singer, songwriter and keyboardist whose minimalist but pressing 1973 hit anti-war anthem “Why Can’t We Reside In combination” would ultimately promote greater than two million copies, died Friday, March 11, at a medical institution in Miami. He used to be 77.

His circle of relatives introduced his demise on Fb and spouse Lillie (Brown) Thomas advised The New York Instances that the purpose used to be most cancers.

Accompanied simplest via his Lowrey organ and an early drum gadget set to a staccato, bossa nova beat, Thomas delivered a fervent, depression vocal efficiency calling for an finish to warfare because the warfare in Vietnam dragged on. In a chorus that used to be as catchy because it used to be pleading, Thomas sang, “Everyone needs to reside in combination/Why can’t we are living in combination?”

The track, launched in August 1972, reached No. 1 on R&B charts and No. 3 at the Billboard Pop Singles chart in early 1973.

Even if Thomas would have more than a few R&B singles charting modestly over the following decade, he’d by no means repeat the economic luck of “Why Can’t We Reside In combination.” He recalled in a 2015 Spin mag interview {that a} document govt as soon as advised him, “Timmy, your serious problem used to be what you mentioned used to be so profound that you want to by no means again it up.” Thomas added, “I had some great regional data after that, however not anything that international.”

The track has lived on as a staple of ’70s-era oldies radio and, in conjunction with Freda Payne’s “Convey the Boys House,” Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Edwin Starr’s “Battle” and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Lucky Son,” stays a basis of the period’s anti-war sentiment.

The track won renewed consideration when Drake sampled the unique in his 2015 hit “Hotline Bling.”

“Why Can’t We Reside In combination” has been lined via a lot of artists, maximum particularly Sade in 1984, Joan Osborne in 2002 and Steve Winwood in 2003.

“Timmy Thomas has for years influenced many of us, none greater than me,” Winwood mentioned in a observation these days, “his being an organist and the use of percussion loops – issues that I’ve endeavoured to do through the years. Timmy used to be a prolific songwriter and has had many releases, however he’s absolute best identified for ‘Why Can’t We Reside In combination’, and rightly so. Its lyrics are as poignant these days as ever, and it’s been lined via many musicians and singers. I’ve accomplished it two times: as soon as reside with Santana, and alone album in 2003. A vital innovator, he and his songs might be remembered via many for a long time. Farewell, Timmy.”