Rob Thomas

A gifted singer-songwriter, Rob Thomas achieved stardom as the brooding, big-voiced lead singer of Matchbox 20, whose 1996 debut Yourself or Someone Like You conquered the world, selling more than 12 million copies and scoring hits with "Push," "3 A.M." and "Real World." He became a global superstar when he wrote and sang Santana's biggest hit, "Smooth," which spent 12 weeks at No. 1, won Thomas three Grammy Awards and became one of the biggest rock hits of the modern era. Buoyed by Thomas' solo success, Matchbox 20 scored again with 2000's Mad Season, which gave them their first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit, "Bent" as well as 2002's More Than You Think You Are and its major hit "Unwell." Thomas also found time to launch a successful solo career with 2005's chart-topping Something to Be and 2009's Cradlesong, scoring hits on his own with "Lonely No More," "This is How a Heart Breaks," "Her Diamonds" and "Someday." The band reunited, however for 2007's Exile on Mainstream and 2012's North and continued to delight fans with live performances. Arguably one of the most successful rock singer-songwriters of his generation, Rob Thomas seemed to have a golden touch when it came to music.