Fonzi Thornton

Fonzi Thornton entered the world as Alfonso Thornton in New York City and soon carved out a career as a supporting vocalist for Luther Vandross. His contributions traveled internationally with the star and surfaced across multiple gold and platinum albums from that artist. Additional background vocal work placed him on assorted recordings, among them projects by Chic. A solo agreement with RCA Records arrived for Thornton in 1983. Working alongside RCA executive Robert Wright, he shared writing and production credits on his first album, The Leader. The urban pop collection reached stores in spring 1983 and spotlighted the enduring dance track “Beverly,” which reached number 43 on Billboard’s R&B chart that same season. Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic lent their presence to the set. Thornton and Wright once more joined forces on songwriting and production for his next RCA effort, Pumpin’, issued in summer 1984 and shaped by the dance-rock currents of the period.