Starship featuring Mickey Thomas eager to appear at The Palace
“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” poured out of thousands of transistor radios in 1976. and it was sung by Mickey Thomas as a member of the Elvin Bishop Band.
Later, when he became the lead singer of Starship, Thomas showcased his versatility on hits like “Jane” and “We Built This City.” Thomas will be revisiting those hits when Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas lands at the Palace Theatre on Sunday at 6 p.m.
The making of a singer
Thomas, like many other musicians, cites The Beatles as an early influence. “I was lucky to see them live at the age of 15,” said Thomas, adding that as he matured, his musical tastes expanded. “Growing up in South Georgia, I gravitated towards soul and R&B music, with influences like Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Otis Redding and Jackie Wilson,” he said.
Later, Thomas made his mark on the music world, with the hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” as part of the Elvin Bishop Band. “After three years with the group, I felt as if I had achieved what I was going to achieve in advancing my career there and left to pursue a solo career when I got the call from Jefferson Starship,” he said.
Thomas eyed the opportunity warily at first.
“I was hesitant because I didn’t know much about them at the time,” he explained. “I didn’t own any of their albums, but living in the Bay Area, I asked myself, “What do I have to lose. I gave it a shot, thinking that, at a minimum, I’d have the opportunity to hang out with some interesting characters,”
The meeting ended up being a pivotal moment in his career.
“We started jamming and the first thing they played for me was ‘Jane’ and it immediately piqued my interest. I thought it was cool and that’s when I knew that the relationship would actually work,” he said.
Bob Koehler, a long-time fan and drummer for Manifest and later Stanley and the Stoners, recalls the transition from Jefferson Airplane to Jefferson Starship. The York County resident said, “When I heard Mickey Thomas sing ‘Jane’ with Aynsley Dunbar on drums, I felt that was a change for the better. He was a big influence on a lot of singers; his voice is incredible,” he said.
Staying sharp and in shape
Thomas said that he appreciates fans’ recognizing his vocal precision. “I’m still doing all of the songs in the original keys and that can be quite the challenge 50 years later,” he said.
Thomas also understands the importance of keeping himself in good physical shape, with the ability to perform between 50 and 60 concerts a year. “My health is good, I work out regularly and my wife eats healthy, so I do too,” he said.
Thomas points out the importance of hydration, remarking that the band’s riders may have evolved a bit over the years. “These days we have a lot of water on our rider, along with a little wine and beer. My only vice now is a good chardonnay,” he says with a chuckle.
Stephanie Kalina-Metzger is a freelance writer.