Thomas, Lafayette Jerl Thing
(1928–1977)
Thomas, Lafayette Jerl ;Thing 13 June 1928; Shreveport, LA – 20 May 1977; Brisbane, CA Lafayette Jerl Thomas was born June 13, 1928, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and was encouraged musically by his uncle, Jesse “Babyface” Thomas, whose brother was country bluesman Willard “Rambling” Thomas. The family moved to San Francisco soon after his birth, and there he learned to play both piano and guitar. In the 1940s he played with Al Simmons’s Rhythm Rockers, Candyman McGuirt’s band, and Little Bob…