2021 – death of B.J. Thomas, American singer. Billy Joe Thomas (August 7, 1942 – May 29, 2021) was an American singer widely known for his country, contemporary Christian and pop hits of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Thomas was born in Hugo, Oklahoma, on August 7, 1942, the son of Geneva and Vernon Thomas. Popular songs by Thomas include "Hooked on a Feeling" (1968), "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (1969), "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" (1975), "Don't Worry Baby" (1977) and "Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned Love" (1983).