Hi-Five experienced tragedy and lineup changes. The group’s lead singer, Tony Thompson, died in 2007, and the band has seen various members come and go over the years.
Hi-Five, an American R&B quintet best known for their hits in the early 1990s, such as “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game),” faced significant challenges after their initial success. The group originally consisted of Tony Thompson, Roderick “Pooh” Clark, Marcus Sanders, Russell Neal, and Toriano Easley. They were signed to Jive Records and saw their peak success with their self-titled debut album, which went platinum.
However, the group’s trajectory changed when Easley was replaced by Treston Irby after Easley was charged with murder in 1990. Despite the lineup change, the group continued to make music and released their second album, “Keep It Goin’ On,” which included hits like “She’s Playing Hard to Get.”
The mid-90s marked a decline in the group’s popularity, and they disbanded after the release of their third album, “Faithful,” in 1993. The members pursued individual projects, but tragedy struck in 2007 when lead singer Tony Thompson was found dead at the age of 31 due to inhaling a toxic amount of freon.
In 2012, the group attempted a comeback with the album “Hi-Five: The EP,” featuring new material. However, another tragedy occurred in 2014 when Russell Neal was charged with murder, leading to further complications for the group.
Despite the adversities, Hi-Five has continued to perform with a new lineup, keeping the legacy of their early hits alive for their fans. The group’s journey has been marked by both their memorable contributions to R&B and the unfortunate personal struggles and tragedies that have affected their career.