Tommy Hunt was a soul singer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Flamingos, whose hits include “I Only Have Eyes for You.”
- Died: February 12, 2025 (Who else died on February 12?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 91.
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Tommy Hunt’s legacy
The Flamingos had already established themselves as a popular doo-wop group when Hunt joined in 1956, having had hits with “A Kiss from Your Lips” and “I’ll Be Home.”
The addition of Pittsburgh-born, Chicago-based Hunt proved to perfect the formula, however, resulting in their biggest hit of all, “I Only Have Eyes For You” – which hit No. 3 on the R&B charts and No. 11 on the mainstream charts in 1959 – along with a string of other charting songs, including “Lovers Never Say Goodbye,” “Mio Amore,” and “Nobody Loves Me Like You.”
Hunt forged out as a soloist in 1961. Within months of his departure, he had a hit of his own: “Human,” a song intended as a B-side that ended up becoming his biggest hit in the U.S. The following year, he recorded the first released version of “I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself,” penned by Burt Bacharach (1928–2023) and Hal David (1921–2012), which later became popular remakes by Dusty Springfield (1939–1999), Dionne Warwick, and The White Stripes.
He appeared with regularity at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater. For a time in the 1970s and ‘80s, Hunt moved to the UK, where a thriving soul scene meant his classic approach continued to be in demand.
In 1996, Hunt was honored with a Rhythm and Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with The Flamingos. In 2000 and 2001, they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, three years later entering the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame. Hunt’s 2008 autobiography, “Only Human, My Soulful Life,” chronicles the ups and downs of his career.
Tributes to Tommy Hunt
Full obituary: Clash Magazine
