Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

THOMPSON, Sue

(b Eva Sue McKee 19 July '25, Nevada MO) Country-pop singer with a little-girl voice that enabled her to enjoy teen-pop success in early '60s when she was in her late 30s with "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)', "James (Hold The Ladder Steady)' and "Norman' (all top 20 pop, all written by John D. Loudermilk). Her family moved to San Jose '37; she worked in a defense plant, married at 20, divorced three years later. Vocalist with Dude Martin's Western Band in Oakland (later married Martin), leading to records for Mercury; worked on TV in San Francisco, L.A. with husband. Singer-comedian Hank Penny joined band '52; a year later he became Sue's third husband. They worked together on own TV show in LA, then to Las Vegas. Recorded for Decca both as solo and duets with Penny. Moved on to Hickory and tapped teen pop market with four Loudermilk songs and several others '61-5; duets with Don Gibson made country charts '72-4. Returned to Nevada casino circuit '75; hosted show from Palomino Club in North Hollywood; still undertaking show dates early '90s. Albums on Hickory long out of print; hits compilation on Curb/WB.