Apropos for what he says will be his final album, singer/songwriter and yacht rock staple Stephen Bishop has rounded up Eric Clapton, Sting, Graham Nash, Jimmy Webb, Art Garfunkel, Dave Grusin, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and the members of America for THIMK, which will be released Aug. 15.
Clapton and Sting lend a hand on first single “Now That I’ve Hit the Big Time,” which is out now. Among the other contributors to THIMK are former Ambrosia frontman David Pack, David Benoit, bassist Nathan East, keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, bassist Leland Sklar, drummers Steve Gadd and Nic Collins and Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro.
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“After five decades of recording music and performing, I figured it was time to close this chapter of my music career,” says the 73-year-old Bishop, who is best known for soft rock hits such as “On and On” “Separate Lives,” “Save It for a Rainy Day,” the 1982 Tootsie theme “It Might Be You” and cameos in such films as Animal House and The Blues Brothers. “THIMK — my 20th and final album — is a celebration of friendship, legacy and all the people who’ve been part of this long, wonderful ride. I’ve developed a bit of arthritis in my hands over the past few years, so I wanted to give this last album everything I had while I still could. I’m proud of it — and grateful for the chance to spend my life doing what I love.”
CD and vinyl editions will feature the bonus tracks “Dance Off the Moon” and “You Can Laugh at Me,” plus in-studio clips from the THIMK sessions and rare footage from throughout Bishop’s career.
As for the unusual album title, Bishop reveals, “THIMK, pronounced just like ‘think,’ but with an ‘M.’ Flashback to the 1980s. While out shopping, I stumbled upon a pin with the peculiar word THIMK on it. Given my penchant for collecting eccentric pins, I adorned many in those days, but this one left a lasting impression. Over the years, I considered using THIMK as a title for an album many times but ultimately decided it was too unusual. Years later, my wife found the THIMK pin. She thought it was funny and quirky, just like me, and believed it would prompt people to think about THIMK. Now, after all these years, it finally found its perfect moment. Interestingly, we recently discovered that the word THIMK also appeared in the film Taxi Driver.”
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