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WE REMEMBER: Alvin Thomas, Music Marketing & Promotion Executive

(January 15, 2007)

Alvin L. Thomas, CEO of Thomas Marketing Group, Chicago, passed January 10, 2007 of congestive heart failure. He was 56.

Under the guidance of his legendary father Eddie Thomas, Alvin began his career in the music industry. In 1975, he was appointed A&M Records first Black Regional Director. During this time, he marketed and promoted Platinum Recording artists such as The Brothers Johnson, Patti Austin, LTD featuring Jeffrey Osborne, Billy Preston, and The Carpenters just to name a few.

Thomas was later recruited by Electra Asylum‘s General Manager Don Mizell to head up the first Black Urban Music Division. After several years with Electra, he branched out on his own and became Mid-West’s most prominent marketing consultant forming "THE THOMAS MARKETING GROUP." This marketing effort contributed to such artists as Lionel Richie, Dave Hollister, The Isley Brothers, Warren G, Van McCoy, Whitney Houston, Barry White, Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Kahn, Phil Perry, The Stylistics, Mariah Carey, Roy Ayers, Al Jaureau, Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band, and a host of others too numerous to name.

Thomas had marketing responsibilities with organizations such as, GRP Record Group, Verve Records, Columbia Records, Dream Works, Ruben Rodriguez Entertainment, Doug Wikens & Associates, Jesus Garber Company, & Virgo Records.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 19, 2007 at Grant Memorial AME Church, 4017 S. Drexel Blvd, Chicago, IL 60616 Repass & Wake: 10AM - 12PM; Funeral: 12PM - 1PM.

Alvin Thomas (r) and Lionel Richie exchange greetings in this undated photo

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