Fonzi Thornton

Fonzi Thornton
Background information
Born	New York City, New York, United States
Genres	R&B, pop, rock, gospel
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter/producer, vocal contractor
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1970 - present
Labels	RCA
Associated acts	Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, Chic (band)

Alfonso "Fonzi" Thornton is an American singer, songwriter/producer and vocal contractor. In a career spanning 40 years, Thornton has sung backing vocals for top artists across many genres of music. His vocal credits can be found on the recordings of Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music, CHIC, Diana Ross, Garth Brooks, Ray Charles, Mariah Carey, David Bowie, Robert Palmer, Patti Labelle, Al Jarreau, Celine Dion, Phoebe Snow and Bette Midler and many others. In 2008, Thornton joined the musical entourage of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin as backing vocalist and vocal contractor and continues to accompany her in concert, on recordings and TV.

Born in East Harlem, New York, in his early teens, Fonzi joined neighborhood vocal group, Shades of Jade and befriended a young Luther Vandross. Thornton and Vandross became soloists with Listen My Brother, the Apollo Theater’s 16 member artist development workshop and sang on camera during the second season of the children's show, Sesame Street.

Later, Thornton gained a following on the NYC night club circuit with his band and self-titled vocal trio Fonzi. He and his group (renamed F360) toured England with Candi Staton and The Stylistics, then appeared with heavyweight Joe Frazier in a Miller Lite commercial.

...
Wikipedia