Ian Thomas (born 23 July 1950, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) is a singer, songwriter, actor and author. He is younger brother to famed comedian and actor Dave Thomas.
Thomas was a successful rock and roll musician in Canada during the 1970s, with his most memorable hit being 1973's "Painted Ladies". Success in the American market, however, has proven to be elusive with the possible exception of "Painted Ladies", which remains his only U.S. Top 40 hit, and the song "Runner" which was recorded by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. He has also done musical composition for about a dozen films and television shows. Before breaking through with "Painted Ladies", he was a producer at the CBC. Before that, he was part of the folk music group Tranquillity Base.
In 1974 he won a Juno Award for "Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year".
In 1981, Thomas made a cameo appearance on SCTV with his real life brother Dave Thomas during a sketch of "The Great White North". He played himself and also performed the songs, "Pilot" and "Hold On". He also wrote and recorded the theme song for his brother's film Strange Brew. Thomas also was a musical guest on the CTV children's show Whatever Turns You On (a short-lived spinoff of You Can't Do That on Television) in 1979.
Many of his songs have been covered by popular artists, including "Hold On" (Santana), "The Runner" (Manfred Mann's Earth Band), "Right Before Your Eyes" (America), and "Chains" (Chicago). In 1988, Daryl Braithwaite had hits in Australia with two Thomas compositions: "As the Days Go By" (which peaked at #10), and "All I Do" (a #12 chart hit). Bette Midler also covered his song "To Comfort You" on her Bette of Roses CD.
He is also known for the portrayal of the character "Dougie Franklin" on the Canadian comedy series The Red Green Show.
From 1991 through 2002, Thomas released four albums with The Boomers.
Currently, he performs with Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church and Marc Jordan in the group Lunch at Allen's.
In 2009, Thomas is providing the music for the animated series Bob & Doug, based on the SCTV characters of the same name.
He has also written two books, Bequest (2006), Canadian Best Seller, and The Lost Chord (2008), both through Manor House Publishing.
Right Before Your Eyes
Young Man's Blues
Pilot
The Runner
Time Is The Keeper
Painted Ladies
