Bartlett-area lovers of rhythm & blues and soul couldn’t resist the sounds of Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics crooning from the stage Saturday night, April 13, at Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center.
Thompkins, who was the original lead singer of the Stylistics for more than 30 years, is known for his soaring clear falsetto in the group’s hits, including “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” “You’re a Big Girl Now,” “Just the Two of Us” and more.
Learn more about the artists and their iconic sounds at russellthompkinsjr.com. Learn what’s coming up next at BPACC at bpacc.org.
Vocalists bring the sounds and dance moves Saturday night as Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics perform. In front row, from left, are Raymond Johnson, one of the original Stylistics; singer/songwriter Jonathan Buckson; and Russell Thompkins Jr.
From 1971 to 1974, the original Stylistics had 12 consecutive U.S. R&B Top 10 hits and five Top 10 U.S. pop hits. In 2004, Russell Thompkins Jr. started a new group, Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics, with Raymond Johnson, James Ranton (who has since left the group for health reasons) and Jonathan Buckson. They continue to tour and are featured on the DVD “Old School Soul Party Live!” that was part of the PBS “My Music” series.
