Thomas E. Tribble (5 August 1921 – 27 March 2017) was a rhythm & blues singer, drummer, band leader and songwriter, nicknamed T.N.T. Tribble.
Thomas Edward Tribble was born in Canon, Georgia to Lee and Jessie Tribble. He was a sibling to five brothers and one sister. Thomas took up the drums upon moving to Washington, DC in the late 30s. He enlisted and served in the US Army during World War ll until 1945, whist still carrying on his musical studies. In 1946 he joined his brother Floyd’s band, The Treble Clefs and later formed his own group.
Thomas had a passion for music and was a well-known and talented drummer whose professional name was "TNT" Tribble. He first came to fame in 1951 and soon after began recording for Victor and then Gotham (1952-54). He also recorded later sessions for 20th Century in 1955, for Chart in 1957 and East-West in 1958.
He was a featured vocalist with Frank Motley's band 1951-1952, and then left for a solo career touring the East Coast performing Rhythm N Blues, early Rock ‘n’ Roll and soul music. He even led his own eclectic band, T.N.T. Tribble and His Crew. Around this time he married Loretta Motta Tribble who died in 2009.
Tribble also was a much in-demand session man. He recorded with Charles Gonzales, Bobby Parker (1961), Lloyd Smith and as the drummer with Ike and Tina Turner in the early ’60s on “A Fool In Love” and “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine.” Tribble left the road in the 60’s but he set up a sideline business in interior decorating while maintaining his primary occupation in live music. He kept a weekend gig at Rocky’s on Kenilworth Avenue in Washington for over ten years. In 1988 he moved to Jimmy McPhail’s Gold room on Bladensburg Avenue.
He passed away at the age of 95 in his home on March 27, 2017.
(Edited from Discogs, Legacy & various snippets of information)