![]() The people who really knew about Stax always recognized his contributions and importance to the label and to his family.” “It was a testament to his career that when he was honored with a brass note on Beale Street, Stax artists flew in from all over the country," Sampson said. " Rob Bowman traveled from Canada to speak, and David Letterman's bandleader Paul Shaffer sent a personalized video message to him. ![]() "I was very flattered, because the general public doesn't know about people like me," said Thomas. "They know singers, but they don't know the producers and songwriters and session guys. Speaking to the Commercial Appeal in 2011, on the occasion of his induction to the Beale Street Walk of Fame, Thomas - known for both his candor and his dedication to the more famous members of his family - seemed humbled by the honor. The keyboards, arrangements and production talents he lent to everyone from his sister Carla Thomas to Isaac Hayes were absolutely essential to the success of Stax Records.” “He contributed so much to the ‘Memphis Sound’ but never quite got the mass recognition he merited, although he always seemed to accept that role. ![]() “Marvell Thomas was one of those rare behind-the-scenes musicians,” said Stax spokesman Tim Sampson. He has left a rich musical legacy to be enjoyed by all." The Stax Museum of American Soul music confirmed Thomas' death and on Tuesday the Thomas family released a statement that read in part, "To us, he was our husband, father, and brother. ![]() The son of Bluff City entertainment icon Rufus Thomas, and the older brother of singing sisters Carla and Vaneese Thomas, Marvell was a respected pianist, producer and arranger in his own right, having played on many of the foundational hits for Stax and later on landmark albums like Isaac Hayes' “Hot Buttered Soul.” View Gallery: Memphis Music Family: Rufus, Carla and Marvell ThomasĪ member of Stax's first family, Marvell Thomas, died Monday following a brief, undisclosed illness. ![]()
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