Biography

Jeffrey Vincent Thompson was born on May 27, 1961, in Watertown, CT, the third of 6 children, to Ed Thompson, a chemist, and Joline Petruzzi, a school teacher. His mother was of Italian descent and his father had Irish and German ancestry. He grew up in a physically abusive household, helping form a tough demeanor that would shape the rest of his life. He graduated from prestigious Amherst College in 1984 with an English degree and immediately embarked on a music career. In his earlier years, Jeff played drums for legendary singers Petula Clark, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr.