Born in East Harlem, New York, in his early teens, Fonzi joined neighborhood vocal group, Shades of Jade and befriended a young Luther Vandross. Thornton and Vandross became soloists with Listen My Brother, the Apollo Theater’s 16 member artist development workshop and sang on camera during the second season of the children's show, Sesame Street. Later, Thornton gained a following on the NYC night club circuit with his band and self-titled vocal trio Fonzi. He and his group toured England with Candi Staton and The Stylistics, then appeared with heavyweight Joe Frazier in a Miller Lite commercial.
1970-present
CHIC Organization
In the late 1970s, approached by producers, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, Thornton joined the CHIC Organization as male vocalist on six albums and national concert tours. He can be heard on many of CHIC's original recordings including "Good Times" and "My Forbidden Lover" from their 1979 Risqué. Thornton also appeared as the soloist on "You Can't Do It Alone" on CHIC's 1980 Real People album. After CHIC disbanded in the early 1980s, Rodgers and Edwards continued to use the distinct backing vocals of Thornton on chart topping productions for artists like Diana Ross, David Bowie, The Power Station and Robert Palmer. In 2010, Nile Rodgers included remixes of "I Work For A Living" and "I'll Change My Game" on the CHIC box set, Savoir Faire, released in France on Warner Bros. Most recently, Thornton provided backing vocals on CHIC's 2015 release "I'll Be There".
Luther Vandross
From 1980 through 1982, Thornton rejoined his childhood friend, Luther Vandross, as a backup singer for his first two national tours. Besides singing on all of Vandross’ gold and platinum recordings, Thornton served as vocal contractor for every album, appeared on numerous TV shows, sat in on the singer's concerts and co-wrote songs on Luther's final four albums.
Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry
Crossing musical boundaries, in 1982 Thornton sang solo backing vocals on Roxy Music’s Avalon album and their world tour that followed. He performed with Bryan Ferry on several solo albums, on Saturday Night Live in 1987 and in 1985, at Live Aid. In 2007, Thornton reunited with Ferry on the Late Show with David Letterman for US debut of his CD Dylanesque, and in 2011 joined Ferry on his first U.S. tour in 15 years. In 2014, Thornton again joined Ferry, providing vocals on his most recent Avonmore album.
Solo career
In the spring of 1983, RCA Records released Thornton's debut urban soul-pop album The Leader featuring the lead single "Beverly", which reached number 43 on Billboard's R&B chart. Thornton's second solo album, titled Pumpin', was released in summer 1984 was representative of the dance/funk-rock vibe of the time. Both albums were re-released on UK Funkytown Grooves.
Recent Work
Thornton performs repeatedly at two events honoring life achievement in the arts – the Kennedy Center Honors and the ''Songwriters Hall of Fame. He maintains his career as a session singer and appeared regularly in concert with Aretha Franklin. In October 2014, Thornton appeared with Aretha on the David Letterman Show to a standing ovation for her performance of Adele's Rolling in the Deep. Most recently, Thornton sang backup for Aretha's 2015 Kennedy Center Honors tribute to Carole King. Thornton rejoined Bryan Ferry in concert on his 2014-2015 "Avonmore Tour" throughout Europe and the UK. He continued with Ferry on the 2016 "Avonmore Tour with shows in the UK, Europe and North America. Thornton performed live on stage with Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden on June 24th and 25th of 2008 singing backup vocals on songs "All Night" "Who You Are" and "W.M.A."
