Lynda Thomas

Lynda Aguirre Thomas (born December 21, 1981), known professionally as Lynda, is a Mexican musician, singer, songwriter and activist. She achieved recognition in Mexico during the 1990s and early 2000s. She was signed to EMI Capitol Records and released four albums. Her last album, Polen appeared in 2001, and she retired shortly afterwards.

Thomas also produced and co-wrote songs for other artists. While in the public eye, she was involved in environmental, human rights and animal rights campaigns.

Thomas was born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, on December 21, 1981. In 1984, Thomas made her first appearance on TV alongside her sister Alissa Aguirre Thomas (Rosángel) on the Televisa's music contest Juguemos a Cantar. In 1986, Thomas launched a solo career, then in 1989, she took part in the TV singing contest Fantasía Musical featured in Siempre en Domingo. Soon after, following the advice of Raúl Velasco, she moved to Mexico City and was supported by her sister Alissa (Rosangel), Giorgio Moroder´s engineer Massimiliano "Max" Di Carlo, film score composer Tino Geizer and Carlos Lara, by then, her brother-in-law. The song "Cantemos Juntos", was released in 1989 under Melody records and later included on the LP compilation Los Triunfadores de Fantasía Musical.

1995–1998

In 1994, Thomas signed with EMI-Capitol. In 1995, at the age of 13, Thomas recorded her debut album Lynda, which was officially released in early 1996. It contained the single"Inseparables" and "Gira Que Gira", which became the commercial breakout of the album; the track charted in several countries during the spring of 1996, while the music video appeared on MTV and TeleHit. Soon after, Thomas released the single "Blue Jeans", which became a success throughout Latin America. She continued her studies during her early career. She also released the single "El Amor No Tiene Edad" (Love Has No Age). At the age of 14, she received the "Revelation Artist" award by Televisa.

In 1997, at the age of 15, Thomas released the albumUn Grito En El Corazón. the first single taken from the album was "Dile" (Tell Him). Thomas was commissioned to record the music for the 1997 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus tour through the Americas, and performed live on selected dates. A short-film recorded during 1996 and 1997 in Washington, D.C. and Mexico city was broadcast by Televisa in 1997. The album was supported by the singles "Como Vivir Sin Ellos", "No Puedo No Quiero" (I Can't, I Don't Want). and "Corazón" (Heart). In the summer of 1997, Thomas released the song "Sálvame (Destrucción Ambiental)", which dealt with environmental issues and donated the royalties to Greenpeace. It was followed by the single "Tanto, Tanto" (So much, so much). In December 1997, Thomas released a dance version of Jingle Bells. In January 1998, the single "Bang Bang" was released followed in February by the single, "Bailando" (Dancing), while the title track of the album appeared as a third single.

Subsequently, shortly before the international success of Mi Día de la Independencia, Thomas released as a promotional recording, a folk live version with orchestral arrangements of the 1978 song "Sólo Pienso en Tí" originally recorded and performed by the Spanish singer-songwriter Victor Manuel, which was also included in her live setlist since 1998.

Later, in December of that year, she was involved in a homage to Pope John Paul II alongside other singers, the song was "Pescador Juan Pablo II", and received the Medal of Merit from Vatican.

1998–2000: Independencia

In early 1998, Thomas moved to Los Angeles, CA, to begin recording "Mi Día de la Independencia", alongside her producers and Vinnie Colaiuta, it was finished recording in late 1998; the album was released around the world in early 1999, when Lynda Thomas had just turned 17.

In 1998, Thomas formed her alternative rock band which consisted of 6 members. During the promotion of MDI, the musician tried to convey the message that not all teenagers use drugs, alcohol or are depraved; she said that there are many teenagers who are interested in Social Welfare, Sustainable Development or Environmental Protection; she expressed her desire to become a spokeswoman for the teenagers. The album was presented officially to the media in early 1999, in a show case at the defunct "Hard Rock Live" from Mexico City. One year later, the album was re-released on two occasions. When Thomas released the album, she said about its concept - "I'm a rebel, not to make a mess of my life or do self-destructive things, I need the rebellion to achieve my dreams and defend them against all odds.

In late 1998, the track "Pienso En Tí" appeared as a double A-side single together with "Vivir Sin El". Both songs entered the top ten in some countries including Argentina, Chile and Spain during the first half of 1999. Thomas first released the single "No Quiero Verte", (I Don't Wanna See You), an alternative rock track which reached number one in Spain and Ibero-America, remaining more than 14 weeks at the top position; It became one of the best-selling singles of 1999 in Ibero-America.

Her second physical single was"Maldita Timidez" (Damn Shyness), it was her second consecutive Ibero-American No. 1 of 1999; the music video, which featured actor Héctor Arredondo in his first professional acting work, climbed to the top position on MuchMusic and TeleHit, it also became number one on MTV for four non-consecutive weeks. the single established Thomas as one of the most successful alternative rock acts in IberoAmerica, mainly in Spain, in where, she received the Los 40 Principales award (the biggest recognition in mainstream music in such country).

In July 1999, the musician released a promotional recording of "Girando", the song addresses issues such as youth personal development and youth awareness, Girando charted inside the top 10 portion of the Iberian, Argentinian and Chilean airplay charts. A rare and never aired video was filmed while Thomas and musician Vinnie Colaiuta were recording the song in Los Angeles, California. The song was loosely inspired by She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals. At the time, Thomas had sold more than 3 million records only in Mexico.

Subsequently, "Mi Día de la Independencia" (My Independence Day), the opening theme from the album of the same name was released, it became a success Spain and Argentina.

"Corazón Perdido" (Lost Heart), was the last number one single from the 1990s released by Thomas, it reached number one in Spain and some countries of South America. The music video was also a success on MTV Latin America. Thomas recorded in Argentina an acoustic version of the song for MuchMusic. Meanwhile, Thomas continued across the world with the international Mi Día de la Independencia Tour, in several countries including France, Spain, Portugal or Italy among other European territories. The tour also included Acoustic gigs as happened in Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

Subsequently, in early 2000, the musician released officially the acoustic ballad "Ahí Estaré" (I'll Be There); first, the studio version won significative airplay on the radio in 1999. Subsequently, she released as a single in South America and Spain an acoustic live version of the song recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for MuchMusic on September 29, 2000.

She also worked for the TV ad campaign of Sabritas snacks company, with an adaptation of her successful single "Corazón Perdido". On March 23, 2000, Lynda Thomas re-released her album Mi Día de la Independencia, due to the high sales from the first edition. At the time, the musician released the acoustic single "Voy A Seguir" (I'll Go Ahead), written by Leonel García. During the "Mi Día de la Independencia" tour, she performed "Voy A Seguir" with her band in Buenos Aires.

In July 2000, Thomas released the song "A 1000 X Hora" (A Thousand Per Hour) in 12" inch and EP formats; it was written by Thomas about her eating and mental disorders; the track became number one in IberoAmerica and other regions of Europe, including Spain, Romania, Argentina, Portugal, Chile, Brazil and Hungary;Meanwhile, Mi Día de la Independencia Edición Especial was certified Gold a few weeks after its release.

She recorded the title track for the telenovela Primer Amor: A mil por hora.

The single sold over 500'000 units in Ibero-America and won a Gold certification, The 2006 debut single and video "Responde" by Hollywood actor and singer Diego Boneta was and adaptation of A 1000 X Hora.

Thomas also performed at the 2000 Chilean telethon, held at Estadio Nacional in Santiago de Chile.

2001–2002: Polen

In April 2001, Thomas released the last album in her career, "Polen", when she was 19 years old. For this album, the musician dabbled into post-grunge, folk, heavy metal, pop punk and Britpop; by the time, the album was released before the debut of other acts such as Avril Lavigne and Kelly Clarkson.

"Polen" featured American musician Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and co-production, who worked before with musicians such as Frank Zappa, Sting or Eric Clapton.

Shortly before the official release of "Polen", on Sunday, February 25, 2001, at Festival de Viña Del Mar held in Chile, Thomas was selected as a member of the international jury alongside soul performer Peabo Bryson and others; Viña Del Mar is considered the most important musical event in the Americas, she had also an acclaimed performance and received positive reviews by critics and audience in the main day of the festival.

The first single taken from "Polen" was the alternative track "Lo Mejor De Mí" (The Best Of Me), the song reached the number one spot on the charts.

Subsequently, also in 2001, the musician released "Polen (Todas Las Mujeres)", a rap metal-alternative metal track about women's human rights, gender discrimination, child sexual abuse, poverty, school bullying and domestic violence. In November 2001, the single had its last live performance. The song was influenced musically by Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin) and Epic (Faith No More).

Meanwhile, Thomas hosted alongside Colombian rock-singer Juanes in the first original edition of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards LatinAmerica, held in Santa Monica, California, in 2001.

During the second half of 2001, Thomas released the post-grunge track "Estoy Viva" (I'm Alive), written and produced by Thomas and recorded in Los Angeles, California alongside Vinnie Colaiuta; for the track (as well as Perdedor), Thomas dabbled into a different musical direction, influenced by Brit-pop and the Seventies punk rock; Estoy Viva was banned from radio broadcast; the single obtained moderate airplay in Spain.

last days in the music industry - "Ay, Ay, Ay" - "Amar Así"

Furthermore, in the fall of 2001, the musician released the Andalusian-Flamenco Folk rock single "Ay, ay, ay". The song was written by Thomas, influenced by the work of the Chilean Nobel prize winner Pablo Neruda. The lyrics were based on the poem "La Canción Desesperada" ( first published in 1924). The flamenco song was a commercial failure in Ibero-America, except in Spain, Chile and Portugal. At the time, Thomas created alongside Greenpeace a Whale Sanctuary on the Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California against illegal hunting, contamination and industrial waste. Subsequently, was released the alternative punk-rock track "En El Anden". It was the last song recorded by Thomas alongside her sister Alissa and Vinnie Colaiuta.

In November 2001, Thomas released at the request of her record label the teen pop-punk single Mala Leche ("Nasty Person"), in Spain, Argentina and Chile; for the song, Thomas recorded the last music video in her career, in early 2002 it was released other countries. The track became a top 3 single all over Ibero-America.

On April 11 and 23, 2002 the studio album Polen was remastered and re-released only in the United States to increase the popularity of the album; it coincided with the American Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards show hosted by Thomas for the IberoAmerican broadcasting, in which she conducted interviews with several actors and music groups of that time including Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mike Myers, Dana Carvey, O-Town, No Secrets, Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith or Ashley Judd among others.

She also released the last official single in her career, "Para Ti" (It's For You), a semi-acoustic track which reached Top ten in some countries. It was also the last musical theme that Thomas performed live in her career, it happened in May 2002.

When Lynda Thomas finished her last tour in her whole career, in May 2002, the soft-ballad "Amar Así" (Love This Way) was scheduled to be the last official CD single taken from the album Polen, but the track had never an official release; by the time, it received some airplay on the radio. Later, "Amar Así" was covered by other artists.

In 2002, Thomas finished recording her world music-experimental rock album in English language, which was originally scheduled for release in the second half of the same year; a Spanish-language, Portuguese-language and Italian-language versions of the album were also scheduled for international release.

2002–present: Retirement

In May 2002, at the age of 20, Thomas retired from music and public life.

She was a record producer and songwriter of several singers and bands including RBD, Kudai, Eme 15 among others.

In May 2000, her official website Lynda.com.mx acquired and re-launched by Starmedia LatinAmerica in association with Greenpeace, focused on social impact issues and political interviews conducted by Thomas.

Multiple offers to return to the music industry have been sent to Thomas, including agents and multimedia companies such as Televisa, Azteca (multimedia conglomerate), Rede Globo and some record labels; as of 2017, there is no response by the artist. In the 1990s-related musical "Verdad o Reto", on stage in 2015 and 2016, the main characters are named Lynda (referring to the singer) and Macarena (due to the Los Del Río song).

Influences

According to Thomas, Peter Gabriel (left) and Natalie Merchant (right) significantly influenced her music

According to Lynda Thomas, during her career, her major musical influences were the former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel and his pupil Paula Cole, the former lead singer for 10,000 Maniacs Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan, Fiona Apple, Björk, Janis Joplin, Ani DiFranco, The Cranberries and Jewel.

Thomas kept a low profile during her career and turned down leading roles in film and television. From 1997 (at the age of 15) until 2002, Thomas imparted university lectures on poverty, violence, human rights, environmental issues, and public policy subjects. On Twitter, she has expressed her support for the LGBT community.

Illnesses and sudden absence from public life

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the musician suffered from Bulimia nervosa, social isolation and a major depressive disorder, for her single "A 1000 X Hora", she wrote about her illness. From 2002 to April 2018, she was absent from the public eye. On April 19, 2018, she made her first post on her new Twitter account, @LyndaThomasOf, briefly addressing her extended absence. On April 24, she posted a video going into detail. She is now a mother to a boy named Noah.

Studio albums / Singles

Reissues

Extended Plays

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• Alissa - Alissa Rosángel (1993)
• Teletón (Mexico) (Compilation live albums) (1996-2001)
• Estrellas de Navidad (1997)
• Juan Pablo II Homenaje (1998)
• Primer amor... a mil por hora (2000) (writer, producer)
• Clase 406 (2002) (writer, producer)