B.J. Thomas, courtesy.

Artists in Nashville and beyond have offered condolences for five-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter B.J. Thomas, who died last weekend following a fight with cancer.

“One of the signs of true greatness in any of the arts is instant recognition of the creator,” said Paul Stanley of Kiss. “When you heard B.J. Thomas sing there was never a doubt who it was. … I will always know that voice.”

Thomas died May 29 at home in Arlington, Texas from complications due to stage four lung cancer. He was 78.

He enjoyed great success in both country, pop and gospel music and won numerous CMA and Dove awards in addition to his Grammys since the 1960s. He is best known for his hits, which include “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (an Academy Award winner for best original song), a cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and the Grammy-winning “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.”

Other hits included  “I Just Can’t Help Believing, “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love,” “New Looks From An Old Lover” and “Hooked on a Feeling.” Billboard named him among its Top 50 Most Played Artists Over The Past 50 Years. He sold more than 70 million albums worldwide, scoring eight No. 1 hits and 26 Top 10 singles.

Dionne Warwick called Thomas one of her favorite duet partners.

“I will miss him as I know so many others will as well,” she said in a statement. Richard Marx noted that he spoke to B.J. Thomas three weeks earlier.

“He seemed ready to fight his diagnosis. He was a kind and elegant gentleman and I will miss him, and his amazing voice,” Marx said. “American Pie” singer-songwriter Don McLean, meanwhile, spoke of B.J. Thomas’ popularity earlier in his career: “All the girls loved him.”

Billy Joe Thomas was born in rural Oklahoma but his family moved to Houston, where he grew up listening to the likes of Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb, as well as soul artists like Little Richard and Jackie Wilson. Thomas sang in church as a youth. His first success came in 1966, with “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” which reached No. 8 on the pop charts and became his first million-selling single, which preceded his debut album. Thomas’ second huge hit was 1968’s “Hooked on a Feeling.” Labelmate Dionne Warwick introduced him to Burt Bacharach. In January 1970, Thomas topped the charts with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” which Bacharach co-wrote with Hal David. The song was featured in the Paul Newman and Robert Redford film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and won the Oscar for best original song.

B.J. Thomas turned to gospel music in the mid-’70s after taming drug and substance addictions. In 1976, his gospel album Home Where I Belong won him Grammy and Dove awards. In the process, it became the first gospel record to sell a million copies. He also recorded a popular version of “Amazing Grace.”

“His testimony of how Jesus Christ changed his life meant the world to me,” said Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys. “A few years ago I shared that with him late one night over pizza on the Country Music Cruise. We cried and prayed together. I loved B.J. Thomas.”

His country hits in the 1980s included “New Looks from an Old Lover Again,” “The Whole World’s in Love When You’re Lonely” and “Two Car Garage.” Another track, “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs charts, and won the Grammy for Best Country Song in 1976. In 1981 Thomas became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Thomas also sang on the “Growing Pains” theme song, appeared in several films and wrote two books, including an autobiography. He released his last album in 2013.

B.J. Thomas is survived by  his wife of 53 years, Gloria, three daughters and four grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, his family suggested donations be made to Mission Arlington, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and the SPCA of Texas.

More comments from artists:

“BJ had an enormously warm heart and a huge talent to match.” – Sam Moore

“His legendary music brings sunshine into the world. Godspeed.” – Andrew Farriss

“This first song I sang on the first gig I ever had in 1973 was “Raindrops.” I mimicked B.J. the best I could. I tried to sing just like him. He was my hero. I later had the honor to call him my friend and he made a great friend.” – T. Graham Brown

“Like many others, I have been a lifelong fan of B.J. Thomas. His unique vocal style has always soothed my soul. I am so blessed to have gotten to know this kind and gentle man as a precious friend. He was so supportive of others in the music business and always a class act. There will never be anyone that could fill his shoes. Soar high my friend. With you not here, ‘we’re all so lonesome we could cry.’” – Kelly Lang

“I loved and admired B.J. Thomas and his music long before I had the opportunity to get to know him while at a charity golf tournament in Texas. He was so kind and such a gentle soul. When he sang it was like reliving all those amazing memories and feelings that mesmerized me all my life, along with the rest of the world, all over again. Being in his presence, I could see why many musicians who played on B.J.’s early sessions spoke of his enormous charisma… which they said could only be compared to Elvis. The indelible mark he made in the world of music is iconic, but getting to know B.J. as a real friend was the greatest gift of all. He will truly be loved, missed and remembered forever.” — Deborah Allen

Follow editor Roman Gokhman at Twitter.com/RomiTheWriter.