Jump to content

Tom Hooker: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Added more categories.
 
(46 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American singer}}

{{about||the colonial leader|Thomas Hooker|the state representative|Thomas Hooker (Michigan politician)}}
{{about||the colonial leader|Thomas Hooker|the state representative|Thomas Hooker (Michigan politician)}}
{{BLP sources|date=June 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name = Tom Hooker
| name = Tom Hooker
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| alias = T. Beecher, Thomas Barbey, Tam Harrow, Lou Sern
| alias = T. Beecher, Thomas Barbéy, Tam Harrow, Lou Sern
| background = solo_singer
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Thomas Beecher Hooker
| birth_name = Thomas Beecher Hooker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1957|11|18}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1957|11|18}}
|birth_place =[[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], [[Connecticut]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Greenwich, Connecticut|Greenwich]], Connecticut, U.S.
| origin = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| origin = Los Angeles, California
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Italo disco]], [[hi-NRG]]
| genre = Pop, [[Italo disco]], [[hi-NRG]]
| instrument = [[Vocals]]
| instrument = Vocals
| occupation = Singer, actor, photographer
| occupation = Singer, actor, photographer
| years_active = 1980–1994, 2010–present
| years_active = 1980–1994, 2010–present
| label = Full Time Records (1980–1984)<br>Baby Records (1984–1995)<br>[[BMG Records]] (1988–1995)<br>MK Music (2010–2011)
| label = Full Time Records (1980–1984)<br>Baby Records (1984–1995)<br>[[BMG Records]] (1988–1995)<br>MK Music (2010–2011)
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts =
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


'''Tom Hooker''' or '''Thomas Barbey''' (born '''Thomas Beecher Hooker''' on November 18, 1957) is an [[American people|American]] singer and photographer.<ref>[http://www.abqjournal.com/north/venuenorth/293366venuenorth03-14-08.htm Thomas Barbey's Photomontages Combine Dreamlike Images]</ref> He was the voice and one of the songwriters behind most songs for popular [[Italo disco]] artist [[Den Harrow]].<ref name= "DenHarrow">[http://www.theransomnote.com/music/articles/another-island-present-the-saga-of-den-harrow/ Another Island Present: The Saga of Den Harrow]</ref>
'''Tom Hooker''' or '''Thomas Barbéy''' (born '''Thomas Beecher Hooker''' on November 18, 1957) is an American singer and fine art photographer. He was the voice and one of the songwriters behind most songs for popular [[Italo disco]] artist [[Den Harrow]].<ref name="DenHarrow">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-19 |title=Another Island Present: The Saga of Den Harrow |url=https://www.theransomnote.com/music/news/another-island-present-the-saga-of-den-harrow/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Ransom Note |language=en}}</ref> The 2018 documentary ''[[Dons of Disco]]'' covers Hooker's involvement in the Den Harrow project.<ref name=":4">''[[Dons of Disco]],'' 2018 Documentary</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Brody |first=Richard |date=2021-02-26 |title="Dons of Disco," Reviewed: A Stranger-Than-Fiction Battle in the World of Italian Pop |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/dons-of-disco-reviewed-a-stranger-than-fiction-battle-in-the-world-of-italian-pop |access-date=2024-07-28 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref>


==History==
==Early life==
Barbey, best known as Tom Hooker, was brought to Europe when he was six months old. At the age of ten, he started his musical career as a drummer. At 13, he created his first band. At 15, he first appeared in public at a concert as a drummer/singer. He studied languages in Switzerland.
Barbey, best known as Tom Hooker, was brought to Europe when he was six months old. At the age of ten, he started his musical career as a drummer. At 13, he created his first band. At 15, he first appeared in public at a concert as a drummer/singer. He studied languages in Switzerland.<ref name="McFarland" />


==Music==
==Music career==
In 1980, he moved to Italy, where he was discovered by Italian producers. His first hit was "Flip Over", [[b/w]] the track "We Can Start It All Over Again". He had his first major success in 1986 with "Looking for Love". His later work included collaborations with several other artists and producers, including [[Eddy Huntington]], for whom he provided several lyrics and backing vocals, including those for the Europe-wide hit "[[U.S.S.R. (song)|U.S.S.R.]]".<ref>[http://www.italo-interviews.com/EddyHuntington.html Interview with Eddy Huntington]</ref>
In 1980, he moved to Italy, where he was discovered by Italian producers. His first hit was "Flip Over", [[b/w]] the track "We Can Start It All Over Again". He had his first major success in 1986 with "Looking for Love".


⚫
=== Den Harrow ===
By 1988, he moved to photography and his music style changed with his single "No More Heaven". His last single was "Run Away", which was a commercial failure.
⚫
Starting in 1985, Hooker co-wrote and sang lead vocals on the first two [[Den Harrow]] albums, backing vocals on the third album and co-wrote many subsequent Den Harrow songs under the name T. Beecher. When Hooker was credited for vocals at all, it was only for background vocals, as it was the producer's intention to have the lip-synching model Stefano Zandri as the public face of the project.<ref name=":1" />


⚫
In 2010, Tom Hooker recorded and published on YouTube a press conference-style video in which Hooker, flanked by Den Harrow co-producer Miki Chierigato, states and demonstrates that he was the vocalist on most of the Den Harrow records, and in which he accuses Stefano Zandri of continuing to publicly lip synch to those recordings.<ref name=":0">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNHcEbJ8qqk |title=Tom Hooker responds to Den Harrow's threats |date=2010-10-25 |last= |access-date=2024-07-28 |via=YouTube}}</ref> He also states that Zandri made threats and insults against Hooker and his family on Facebook for exposing the vocal inauthenticity of the Den Harrow recordings. Hooker asserts that Zandri no longer has permission to publicly lip sync to Den Harrow recordings that use Tom Hooker's voice.<ref name= "DenHarrow" />
⚫
==Den Harrow==
⚫
Hooker co-wrote and sang lead vocals on the first two [[Den Harrow]] albums, backing vocals on the third album and co-wrote many subsequent Den Harrow songs under the name T. Beecher. When Hooker was credited for vocals at all, it was only for background vocals, as it was the producer's intention to have the lip-synching model Stefano Zandri as the public face of the project.


=== Other music endeavors ===
⚫
In 2010, Tom Hooker recorded and published on YouTube a press conference-style video in which Hooker, flanked by Den Harrow co-producer Miki Chierigato, states and demonstrates that he was the vocalist on most of the Den Harrow records, and in which he accuses Stefano Zandri of continuing to publicly lip synch to those recordings. He also states that Zandri made threats and insults against Hooker and his family on Facebook for exposing the vocal inauthenticity of the Den Harrow recordings. Hooker asserts that Zandri no longer has permission to publicly lip sync to Den Harrow recordings that use Tom Hooker's voice.<ref name= "DenHarrow" />
His later work included collaborations with several other artists and producers, including [[Eddy Huntington]], for whom he provided several lyrics and backing vocals, including those for the Europe-wide hit "[[U.S.S.R. (song)|U.S.S.R.]]".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Eddy Huntington |url=http://www.italo-interviews.com/EddyHuntington.html |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=italo-interviews.com}}</ref>


In 1986 he took part in the project ''Fahrenheit 104'', a band also composed of Maurizio Vandelli , Jane Hill and Dario Farina, with which he recorded the song ''Highway To Freedom'' , composed by Vince Tempera for the musical part and by Michael Kunze for the lyrics, also published as a single by Baby Records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fahrenheit 104 / Tom Hooker – Highway To Freedom / Looking For Love |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/5531590-Fahrenheit-104-Tom-Hooker-Highway-To-Freedom-Looking-For-Love |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Discogs}}</ref>
⚫
==Photography==
In 1994, Hooker left the music scene to move to America to marry Suzanne Berquist. He eventually moved to [[Los Angeles]] and changed his name to Thomas Barbey, his mother's maiden name. He began a career as a visual artist, creating surreal [[photomontage]]s. He currently exhibits in galleries in many countries around the world.


In 1987, he was one of the writers for the hit [[Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room)]] by [[Paul Lekakis]], which became #1 in Australia and #43 in US Billboard Hot 100 chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Hooker |url=https://www.goodymusicproduction.com/artist.php?id=74 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=goodymusicproduction.com}}</ref>
⚫
==Revival==

⚫
In October 2010, Hooker collaborated with his longtime musical colleague and fellow composer, Miki Chieregato, to produce and release a brand new single and video, "Change Your Mind". This collaboration marks the return to the roots of the same production team that was responsible for all of the initial Den Harrow and Tom Hooker output between 1985 and 1988. In 2011, Hooker released a new recording and music video of the Den Harrow track "Future Brain", which features himself.
In the 90s he recorded some singles under the pseudonym ''David Harleyson'', obtaining some commercial success in [[Thailand]].<ref name="McFarland" />

In 1994, he moved to America to marry his American girlfriend Suzanne Berquist and pursue his longtime hobby of photography. He changed his name to Thomas Barbéy, his mother's maiden name, because his wife did not want to be known as "Mrs. Hooker."<ref name=":0" />

⚫
=== Revival ===
⚫
In October 2010, Hooker collaborated with his longtime musical colleague and fellow composer, Miki Chieregato, to produce and release a brand new single and video, "Change Your Mind". This collaboration marks the return to the roots of the same production team that was responsible for all of the initial Den Harrow and Tom Hooker output between 1985 and 1988. In 2011, Hooker released a new recording and music video of the Den Harrow track "Future Brain", which features himself.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-16 |title=Tam Harrow, la parodia della italo disco |url=https://www.orrorea33giri.com/tam-harrow-incredible-idiot-2015-album-mp3/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Orrore a 33 Giri |language=it-IT}}</ref>

Since 2014, Tom Hooker and Miki Chieregato have been issuing Den Harrow parody tracks under the name of '''Tam Harrow.'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rampant |first=Veronica |title=Slamdance '19: DONS OF DISCO is an ItaloDisco Inferno! |url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/81651 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Aint It Cool News |language=en}}</ref>

In 2017, he released the double CD ''Back in Time'' , 27 songs including the duet with Linda Jo Rizzo ''I Want You Tonight''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Hooker e Miki Chieregato presentano "Back in Time" |url=https://www.ninobaldan.com/2017/03/tom-hooker-e-miki-chieregato-presentano.html?m=1 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=ninobaldan.com}}</ref>

⚫
== Thomas Barbéy Photography ==
In 1994, he began a career as a visual artist under the name Thomas Barbéy, creating surreal [[photomontage]]s.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Noorata |first=Pinar |date=2013-01-13 |title=Whimsically Surreal Photo Montages by Thomas Barby |url=https://mymodernmet.com/thomas-barbey-surreal-photo-manipulation/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=My Modern Met |language=en}}</ref> He currently exhibits in galleries around the world.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2013-01-14 |title=Surreal Photo Manipulations by Thomas Barbéy |url=https://www.boredpanda.com/surreal-photo-manipulations-thomas-barbey/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Bored Panda |language=en-US}}</ref>

Barbéy combines multiple images, with very different subjects, obtaining a result that is totally different from reality. All this is done with classic photographic techniques without the use of computer post-production. He prefers the use of 35mm cameras.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

== Personal life ==
He lives in Las Vegas with his wife Suzanne Berquist.<ref name="McFarland">{{cite book |last=Arena |first=James |title=Europe's Stars of '80s Dance Pop |date=2017 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company|McFarland]] |pages=96–102 |language=en |chapter=Tom Hooker}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 50: Line 69:
*1992: ''Fighting for Our Love''
*1992: ''Fighting for Our Love''
*2011: ''Unconditional Love''
*2011: ''Unconditional Love''
*2015: ''Incredible Idiot'' (as Tam Harrow - a parody on Den Harrow)
*2017: ''Back in Time''
*2017: ''Back in Time''
*2018: ''No Time to Say Goodbye''
*2018: ''No Time to Say Goodbye''
*2020: ''Together'' (as Tom Hooker & Tam Harrow)

===Albums as Tam Harrow===
*2015: ''Incredible Idiot''
*2020: ''Together'' (as Tom Hooker & Tam Harrow)
*2020: ''Together'' (as Tom Hooker & Tam Harrow)


Line 107: Line 129:
*2021: "In the sign of destiny" (feat. Lord, Peter Rafelson)
*2021: "In the sign of destiny" (feat. Lord, Peter Rafelson)
*2021: "Keep on rolling" (feat. Lord)
*2021: "Keep on rolling" (feat. Lord)

== Filmography ==

* ''[[:it:Jocks|Jocks]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Dons of Disco]]'' (2018)<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" />


==References==
==References==
Line 121: Line 148:
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American Italo disco musicians]]
[[Category:American Italo disco musicians]]
[[Category:Italian-language singers]]
[[Category:Italian-language singers of the United States]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Greenwich, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Musicians from Greenwich, Connecticut]]

Latest revision as of 19:16, 19 September 2024

For the colonial leader, see Thomas Hooker. For the state representative, see Thomas Hooker (Michigan politician).
Tom Hooker
Birth nameThomas Beecher Hooker
Also known asT. Beecher, Thomas Barbéy, Tam Harrow, Lou Sern
Born (1957-11-18) November 18, 1957 (age 67)
Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
OriginLos Angeles, California
GenresPop, Italo disco, hi-NRG
Occupation(s)Singer, actor, photographer
InstrumentVocals
Years active1980–1994, 2010–present
LabelsFull Time Records (1980–1984)
Baby Records (1984–1995)
BMG Records (1988–1995)
MK Music (2010–2011)

Tom Hooker or Thomas Barbéy (born Thomas Beecher Hooker on November 18, 1957) is an American singer and fine art photographer. He was the voice and one of the songwriters behind most songs for popular Italo disco artist Den Harrow.[1] The 2018 documentary Dons of Disco covers Hooker's involvement in the Den Harrow project.[2][3]

Early life

[edit]

Barbey, best known as Tom Hooker, was brought to Europe when he was six months old. At the age of ten, he started his musical career as a drummer. At 13, he created his first band. At 15, he first appeared in public at a concert as a drummer/singer. He studied languages in Switzerland.[4]

Music career

[edit]

In 1980, he moved to Italy, where he was discovered by Italian producers. His first hit was "Flip Over", b/w the track "We Can Start It All Over Again". He had his first major success in 1986 with "Looking for Love".

Den Harrow

[edit]

Starting in 1985, Hooker co-wrote and sang lead vocals on the first two Den Harrow albums, backing vocals on the third album and co-wrote many subsequent Den Harrow songs under the name T. Beecher. When Hooker was credited for vocals at all, it was only for background vocals, as it was the producer's intention to have the lip-synching model Stefano Zandri as the public face of the project.[3]

In 2010, Tom Hooker recorded and published on YouTube a press conference-style video in which Hooker, flanked by Den Harrow co-producer Miki Chierigato, states and demonstrates that he was the vocalist on most of the Den Harrow records, and in which he accuses Stefano Zandri of continuing to publicly lip synch to those recordings.[5] He also states that Zandri made threats and insults against Hooker and his family on Facebook for exposing the vocal inauthenticity of the Den Harrow recordings. Hooker asserts that Zandri no longer has permission to publicly lip sync to Den Harrow recordings that use Tom Hooker's voice.[1]

Other music endeavors

[edit]

His later work included collaborations with several other artists and producers, including Eddy Huntington, for whom he provided several lyrics and backing vocals, including those for the Europe-wide hit "U.S.S.R.".[6]

In 1986 he took part in the project Fahrenheit 104, a band also composed of Maurizio Vandelli , Jane Hill and Dario Farina, with which he recorded the song Highway To Freedom , composed by Vince Tempera for the musical part and by Michael Kunze for the lyrics, also published as a single by Baby Records.[7]

In 1987, he was one of the writers for the hit Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room) by Paul Lekakis, which became #1 in Australia and #43 in US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[8]

In the 90s he recorded some singles under the pseudonym David Harleyson, obtaining some commercial success in Thailand.[4]

In 1994, he moved to America to marry his American girlfriend Suzanne Berquist and pursue his longtime hobby of photography. He changed his name to Thomas Barbéy, his mother's maiden name, because his wife did not want to be known as "Mrs. Hooker."[5]

Revival

[edit]

In October 2010, Hooker collaborated with his longtime musical colleague and fellow composer, Miki Chieregato, to produce and release a brand new single and video, "Change Your Mind". This collaboration marks the return to the roots of the same production team that was responsible for all of the initial Den Harrow and Tom Hooker output between 1985 and 1988. In 2011, Hooker released a new recording and music video of the Den Harrow track "Future Brain", which features himself.[9]

Since 2014, Tom Hooker and Miki Chieregato have been issuing Den Harrow parody tracks under the name of Tam Harrow.[10]

In 2017, he released the double CD Back in Time , 27 songs including the duet with Linda Jo Rizzo I Want You Tonight.[11]

Thomas Barbéy Photography

[edit]

In 1994, he began a career as a visual artist under the name Thomas Barbéy, creating surreal photomontages.[12] He currently exhibits in galleries around the world.[13]

Barbéy combines multiple images, with very different subjects, obtaining a result that is totally different from reality. All this is done with classic photographic techniques without the use of computer post-production. He prefers the use of 35mm cameras.[12][13]

Personal life

[edit]

He lives in Las Vegas with his wife Suzanne Berquist.[4]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • 1980: Tom Hooker
  • 1986: Only One
  • 1988: Bad Reputation
  • 1992: Fighting for Our Love
  • 2011: Unconditional Love
  • 2017: Back in Time
  • 2018: No Time to Say Goodbye
  • 2020: Together (as Tom Hooker & Tam Harrow)

Albums as Tam Harrow

[edit]
  • 2015: Incredible Idiot
  • 2020: Together (as Tom Hooker & Tam Harrow)

Singles

[edit]
  • 1980: "Flip Over"/"We Can Start It All Over Again"
  • 1981: "Toccami"/"Go Today"
  • 1981: "I Want to Love"
  • 1982: "Dove Andiamo"/"Try Me"
  • 1982: "With Your Body"
  • 1983: "Come Back Home"
  • 1984: "Give It to Me"
  • 1984: "Indian Girl"/"Love Attack"
  • 1984: "Real Men" (12")
  • 1985: "Cry"/"Don't Forget (To Buy This Record)"
  • 1986: "Help Me"
  • 1986: "Looking for Love"
  • 1986: "Swiss Boy" (under the pseudonym Lou Sern)
  • 1986: "Help Me"
  • 1987: "Atlantis" (12")
  • 1988: "Feeling Okay" (12")
  • 1988: "No More Heaven" (12")
  • 1990: "Living in the Sunshine" (7")
  • 1991: "Sex-O-Phone & Funk Guitar" (12")
  • 1994: "Runaway" (12")
  • 2010: "Change Your Mind"
  • 2012: "No Elevation" (with Miki Chieregato)
  • 2014: "Illusions/Nobody Loves Me"
  • 2016: "Tell Me"
  • 2016: "My Russian Lady Night"
  • 2017: "I Want You Tonight" (with Linda Jo Rizzo)
  • 2017: "King of the World"
  • 2017: "Find a Way and a Time"
  • 2017: "Rain" (with Miki Chieregato)
  • 2020: "You And I" (with Tam Harrow)
  • 2020: "With Our Love" (with Bad Boys Blue and Scarlett)

Singles as Tam Harrow

[edit]
  • 2014: "Idiot"
  • 2014: "Incredible"
  • 2014: "Kept Boy"
  • 2014: "You DJ You Rock"
  • 2014: "Fixation"
  • 2015: "Vodka Kaboom"
  • 2015: "Swiss Cows" (feat. Lou Sern)
  • 2016: "Go to Mexico"
  • 2018: "No Time to Say Goodbye"
  • 2018: "Big Boys Don't Cry"
  • 2019: "Dancing to the Night"
  • 2020: "Your Love Is So Nice"
  • 2020: "Latin Lover"

Collaborations

[edit]
  • 2021: "A Sailor from the Moon" (feat. Lord, Begüm Günceler)
  • 2021: "In the sign of destiny" (feat. Lord, Peter Rafelson)
  • 2021: "Keep on rolling" (feat. Lord)

Filmography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Another Island Present: The Saga of Den Harrow". Ransom Note. 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  2. ^ a b Dons of Disco, 2018 Documentary
  3. ^ a b c Brody, Richard (2021-02-26). ""Dons of Disco," Reviewed: A Stranger-Than-Fiction Battle in the World of Italian Pop". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  4. ^ a b c Arena, James (2017). "Tom Hooker". Europe's Stars of '80s Dance Pop. McFarland. pp. 96–102.
  5. ^ a b Tom Hooker responds to Den Harrow's threats. 2010-10-25. Retrieved 2024-07-28 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "Interview with Eddy Huntington". italo-interviews.com. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  7. ^ "Fahrenheit 104 / Tom Hooker – Highway To Freedom / Looking For Love". Discogs. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  8. ^ "Tom Hooker". goodymusicproduction.com. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  9. ^ "Tam Harrow, la parodia della italo disco". Orrore a 33 Giri (in Italian). 2015-02-16. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  10. ^ Rampant, Veronica. "Slamdance '19: DONS OF DISCO is an ItaloDisco Inferno!". Aint It Cool News. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  11. ^ "Tom Hooker e Miki Chieregato presentano "Back in Time"". ninobaldan.com. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  12. ^ a b Noorata, Pinar (2013-01-13). "Whimsically Surreal Photo Montages by Thomas Barby". My Modern Met. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  13. ^ a b "Surreal Photo Manipulations by Thomas Barbéy". Bored Panda. 2013-01-14. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Tom_Hooker&oldid=1246570117"