Rob Thomas (musician)

Rob Thomas
Thomas at the 2010 Vanity Fair party in New York City
Background information
Born
Robert Kelly Thomas

(1972-02-14) February 14, 1972
Landstuhl, West Germany
OriginSarasota, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • guitarist
  • actor
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
Works
Years active1989–present
Labels
Member ofMatchbox Twenty
Formerly ofTabitha's Secret
Spouse
Marisol Maldonado
(m. 1999)
Websiterobthomasmusic.com
Signature

Robert Kelly Thomas (born February 14, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is the lead vocalist for the Florida-based rock band Matchbox Twenty, which he formed in 1995 and with whom he has released five studio albums. As a solo act, he is best known for his guest performance on Santana's 1999 single "Smooth", which won three Grammy Awards, peaked the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks, and in 2018 was named the second-most successful song in the chart's history. His 2005 single, "Lonely No More," was his first to be released as a lead solo artist. It peaked at number six on the chart and led his debut solo album, ...Something to Be (2005), which peaked atop the Billboard 200.

As part of Matchbox Twenty, Thomas performed and wrote the band's string of commercially successful singles, including "Push", "3AM", "Real World", "Back 2 Good", "Bent", "If You're Gone", "Mad Season", "Disease", "Unwell", "Bright Lights", "How Far We've Come", and "She's So Mean". Thomas has also been a credited songwriter for other artists including Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, Marc Anthony, Pat Green, Taylor Hicks, Travis Tritt, and Daughtry. In 2004, the Songwriters Hall of Fame gave Thomas its first Hal David Starlight Award, which recognizes young songwriters.