July 14, 1972
retired broadcaster: on-air, MD, PD, asst PD, Prod Mgr, IT, station technician/engineer, pioneer Internet webcaster, station installation/maintenance; 12 years in commercial radio, 17 years volunteer in campus/community radio in B.C., Alberta & Wash. Amateur radio operator & “DXer” specializing in AM night-time DX, short-wave DX/listening & remote SDR DXing/listening
Debuting at #40 on this KGY chart, from July 1972, is BJ Thomas with “That’s What Friends Are For”. It’s just one of many charted songs by this 5 time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter born in Hugo, Oklahoma and raised in Houston. Thomas is perhaps best remembered for his first hit single … a cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” … and “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” which was featured in the Paul Newman/Robert Redford film “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid” … earning an Oscar for Best Original Song.
BJ Thomas died today (May 29th) at his home in Arlington, Texas at 78. His death was attributed to complications from lung cancer.