Sue Thompson was a singer known for 1960s songs including “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)” and “Norman.”
- Died: September 23, 2021 (Who else died on September 23?)
- Details of death: Died at her daughter’s home in Pahrump, Nevada of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 96.
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Musical career
Thompson began performing as a child, and she had a record contract by 1950, singing country music. But it took more than a decade for her to produce a hit, finally succeeding when she was paired with songwriter John D. Loudermilk. He wrote her songs “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)” and “Norman,” both Top 5 hits in 1961. The new singles embraced a pop music sound and verged on novelty tunes, as Thompson sang their lightly funny lyrics in a girlish voice. She had moderate success throughout the early 1960s with other singles, including “Have a Good Time,” “James (Hold the Ladder Steady),” and “Paper Tiger.” In later years, Thompson returned to a country sound for minor singles including “Good Old Fashioned Country Love” and “Never Naughty Rosie.”
Tributes to Sue Thompson
Full obituary: The New York Times
