Peak UK Chart Position: #3 in April 2000.

Rob Thomas – born Robert Kelly Thomas, in Landstuhl, West Germany – celebrates his 45th birthday today. He moved with his parents back to America aged six months old. He is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the primary songwriter and lead singer of the band Matchbox Twenty. Thomas also records and performs as a solo artist with “Lonely No More” released in 2005 becoming his biggest solo chart success. Thomas earned three Grammy Awards for co-writing and singing on the Santana triple-platinum hit “Smooth”, on the album “Supernatural” in 1999.

Quick facts:

• “Smooth” was the first success in the UK for Santana since 1977’s “She’s Not There”, and became their biggest hit single.
• “Smooth” became a massive American hit in 1999, spending 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Carlos Santana’s previous biggest US hit was “Black Magic Woman”, which peaked at number four in 1971.
• The three Grammy awards for “Smooth” were: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year.
• In 2004, the Songwriters Hall of Fame awarded Thomas its first Hal David Starlight Award, recognising young songwriters who have already had a lasting influence in the music industry.