I’ve just been informed that Paul Thomas, bassist for Pat Roberts & The Heymakers, and Arizona Blues Hall of Famer, passed away early this morning.
I had the fortune to work with him for his last album “Lonesome and Blue” recorded las may and I can’t say better that his friend of Pat Roberts:
“I am still in shock, thank you to all my friends for your kind words. Paul was an amazing person and an incredible bassist, a very unique individual, and had a great sense of humor. He was loved by many and will be missed. His passing leaves a huge hole in the Phoenix roots music scene. Rest in Peace brother“.
Born in Tucson (AZ), Paul played with nearly every blues/roots musicians in the Phoenix area and performed and recorded with the heaviest hitters of the Blues World (Bo Diddley, Ike Turner, Kim Wilson, Jimmy Rodgers, Pinetop Perkins, Nappy Brown, Lynwood Slim, Rick Estrin, Kid Ramos, Henry Grey, Mojo Bruford, Junior Watson, and Louisiana Red). Paul was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 1999.
In 2009, he joined the band Pat Roberts & the Heymakers. They recorded the great album “Lonesome and Blue” in 2011 and just had a show last Saturday.
Very sad day….
