Hayden E. Thompson obit

Hayden Thompson Obituary

 

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Hayden E. Thompson, age 87, of Wheeling, passed away Wednesday December 31, 2025. He was born March 3, 1938, in Booneville, Mississippi to Baxter and Thelma nee Smith Thompson.

Hayden's life was shaped by his deep love for music, especially rockabilly, which led him to record at the legendary Sun Studio, the same place where Elvis Presley once recorded. Music wasn't just a hobby for him; it was the center of his world and the force that guided his experiences. Since 1985, he traveled to Europe around 55 times, sharing his passion and soaking in musical influences along the way. His talent and dedication even brought him to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry on several occasions, a milestone few musicians reach. Above all, music was Hayden's true love, the constant thread running through everything he did.

Loving husband of Georgia nee Ohlwein. Dedicated father of Keith (Marcy) Thompson. Doting grandfather of Natalie (Noel) Cordero and Madelyn Thompson.

At high school Thompson formed the Southern Melody Boys, who made a recording which led from a radio session. "I Feel the Blues Coming On" was sung by Thompson and gave them another radio appearance on the "Louisiana Hayride" show. Thompson then joined the Dixie Jazzlanders who toured Mississippi. He relocated to Memphis, Tennessee and made an unreleased recording in 1956. "Love My Baby" was issued on the Phillips International label in September 1957, and Thompson toured alongside Sonny Burgess and Billy Lee Riley. The following year, Thompson moved again, this time to Chicago, Illinois, where he gained a residency at the Rivoli Ballroom, Chicago's latest country music venue.

Thompson's recording of "$16.88" for Kapp Records sold sufficiently to secure him an offer to record his debut album. Here's Hayden Thompson was released in 1967. Several recordings took place in the early-1970s, but circumstances meant that Thompson left the music industry at this point and worked as a limo driver. He re-emerged in the mid-1980s, becoming a regular performer on rockabilly revival touring packages. Charly Records released an album of his in 1985.[1] Further albums were released, mainly by various European record labels, over the three decades. These included The Time Is Now (1990).

Thompson died in Wheeling, Illinois on December 31, 2025, at the age of 87.