The legendary Tommy Hunt, now singing for his sixth decade professionally, had a hit in 1975 with a cover of a song I first discovered myself and broke at Blackpool Mecca, by Roy Hamilton, called "Cracking Up Over You", and then we filmed it for "The Strange World Of Northern Soul". Born on the 18th June 1933, music dominated his life, and whilst performing in a club one night he was approached by Zeke Carey of The Flamingos to join the group and temporarily take his place whilst he served his time in the Army. There followed in 1958 their biggest hit 'I Only Have Eyes For You' for which the Flamingos are world renowned and it remains their most popular song, being used in movies and on compilation discs to this date. Tommy left the group in 1960 due to differences, mainly because he was not Jewish as were all the other members with the exception of Nate Nelson. Within 3 days he was approached by Luther Dixon and released 'Parade Of Broken Hearts' which was slow to be picked up by the radio stations until one day in New York a deejay by the name of Jocko introduced the song and flipped it by mistake causing the phones to ring off the hook... That song was 'Human'...Tommy's biggest hit in the USA. Tommy became a regular performing at The Apollo in New York. To the best of his knowledge Tommy remains the only person to have his photo framed twice in the Apollo foyer, both with the Flamingos and as a solo artist. Several years and a couple of minor hits later Tommy crossed the waters and sang for the U.S. Army in Germany and in 1969 having caught the travel bug left his homeland when the Beatles invaded America and traveled back to Germany, through Belgium and across the Channel to England. After several performances in the Theater Clubs throughout the UK, Tommy sang for the 2nd Anniversary of the Wigan Casino and there followed the ladder of his success on the Northern Soul Scene. Tommy was approached by Russ Winstanly and Mike Walker of Wigan Casino fame and released several hits on Spark, firstly a cover version of "Cracking Up Over You", formerly sung by his idol and biggest influence Roy Hamilton, and then followed on by this song, which gained some chart success in 1976, "Loving On The Losing Side". 1982/83 saw him win the Male Vocalist of the Year, presented by the Club Mirror Award. In 1996 the first of his recognitions came in the form of The Rhythm and Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award for the Flamingos contribution to music. In 1997 Tommy moved back to England and embarked on a revived northern soul scene, experiencing all the love and dedication once again from the crowd who had never faltered in their love and appreciation for his music. The Flamingos were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of America for their 30 year outstanding contribution to music.
