Robbin Thompson

Robbin Thompson was a singer, songwriter, father, and grandfather based in Richmond, Virginia. His musical career spanned more than 40 years.

Following stints with the Tasmanians and Mercy Flight, Robbin was the lead singer in the Bruce Springsteen band Steel Mill. He has won the American Song Festival twice, and has recorded more than a dozen albums.

Thompson, along with friend Steve Bassett, authored the song “Sweet Virginia Breeze,” which was recently confirmed as the popular state song of Virginia. He has also written and recorded songs with Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit (who also sings harmonies on many of Robbin’s recordings).

Robbin shared the stage with many recording artists, including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Bruce Springsteen, and Bruce Hornsby, to name just a few.

His film scoring credits include the title song to the cult classic Gleaming the Cube, and Robbin was the co-writer and vocalist on the song “I Won’t Quit” in the film The Fighting Temptations starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce.

 

Robbin was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, but responded well to number of treatments and continued performing well into his 66th year.

On October 10, 2015, just after midnight, Robbin Thompson broke on through to the other side. He was a devoted husband to his wife Vicki, married for 41 years, and a loving father to his daughters, Wrenn and Rikki. He was known as Baba to his grandchildren (and youngest fans) Finch, Griffin, Oscar, and Dottie.