Carroll Thompson is an English lovers rock and reggae singer from Letchworth, Hertfordshire, born in 1960. She starts out singing in school and church choirs, then initially works in pharmacy before moving into music in the mid-1970s, when she becomes a backing singer at several recording studios after auditioning for Frank Farian’s Sugar Cane group.

Solo career

Thompson begins a solo career and has early success with the lovers rock singles “I’m So Sorry” and “Simply In Love”, both of which top the reggae chart in 1981. Her debut album also appears that year. She continues to record solo reggae chart hits through the 1980s, although her releases become less frequent after the middle of the decade.

Awards and notable recordings

She wins two GLR Reggae Awards in 1982, for Best Female Performer and Best Song for “Hopelessly In Love”. She wins Best Female Performer again at the GLR awards in 1983. Thompson also records duets with Sugar Minott on “Make It With You” and with Trevor Walters on “Love Won’t Let Us Wait”.

Later work

Her profile revives in 1990 when she sings lead on a version of Diana Ross’s “I’m Still Waiting”, recorded with Aswad and Courtney Pine, which becomes a minor UK Singles Chart hit. That year she also has minor chart hits with Movement 98’s “Joy & Heartbreak” and “Sunrise”. In 1993, she works with Neil “Mad Profesor” Fraser on The Other Side Of Love. She is married to Radio 5 Live presenter Dotun Adebayo.