Remembering B.J. Thomas

Though in this rare instance, I knew it was imminent, sadness fell upon me, much like the literal raindrops in the last two days, with the news that a great performer, B.J. Thomas, best known for singing “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” as Paul Newman and Katharine Ross rode on a “new fangled thing,” called a bicycle, in the 1969 film, “Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid,” had died at age 78.

In addition to the rain, I note that as with Jerome Hellman, noted in my most recent post, Mr. Thomas’ song, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, won the 1969 Academy Award. (Mr. Hellman, as noted was the producer on the Best Picture winner for Midnight Cowboy. Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid was one of the four other nominees in that category).

Thomas’ “Hooked On A Feeling” and his cover of the Beach Boys “Everything Will Work Out” (maybe it still will), will always have great meaning to me. 

His brave battle to overcome addiction is another, very significant attribute, Mr. Thomas carries, that will resonate down the corridors of time.