Joe Thomas

Directing

Joe Thomas

Born 1956-04-12 · Illinois, USA

Joseph Thomas (born Joseph Grzyb, April 12, 1956 – April 28, 2024) was an American producer, businessman, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter based in Illinois. He was known for musical collaborations and subsequent lawsuits pertaining to musician Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys. Thomas was producer and director of the PBS music program Soundstage for WTTW.

Acting credits

Behind the camera

Alanis Morissette: Live at Soundstage poster
8.0

Explosive and energetic, Alanis Morissette pulls in the audience on this Soundstage with hints of hard rock, gentle folk, electronic beats, and free-flowing Eastern melodies. The set includes quintessential hits about loving and letting go from the seven-time Grammy winner's days as a confessional rock phenomenon. The singer/songwriter also introduces fans to her latest and most adventurous album, So-Called Chaos. The honest, unadulterated performance reflects Morissette's move away from her days as a rancorous 90's rocker, and into the mode of a mature musician ready to experiment with her strengths. Morissette's enduring introspection, continual evolution, and evocative stage presence shine in this Soundstage performance.

Alanis Morissette: Live at Soundstage

2003

Blondie: Live at Soundstage poster
NR

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Blondie is still putting out new music and rocking out for fans everywhere! Debbie Harry and her band bring their eclectic mix of pop, rock and punk sounds to Soundstage, performing hits such as 'The Tide is High,' 'One Way or Another,' and 'Heart of Glass' in an electrifying concert audiences are sure to love!

Blondie: Live at Soundstage

2017

Blondie: Live at Soundstage poster
NR

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Blondie is still putting out new music and rocking out for fans everywhere! Debbie Harry and her band bring their eclectic mix of pop, rock and punk sounds to Soundstage, performing hits such as 'The Tide is High,' 'One Way or Another,' and 'Heart of Glass' in an electrifying concert audiences are sure to love!

Blondie: Live at Soundstage

2017

Foreigner - Live in Chicago poster
6.6

Foreigner is currently celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of Foreigner “4.” This new public television special is part of that celebration and features songs from the multi-million-selling iconic album and many other Foreigner hits. Foreigner “4” spawned ‘”Waiting for a Girl Like You” – one of Billboard’s All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs, “Urgent” and Foreigner’s epic signature song “Juke Box Hero,” all of which are featured in this concert special.

Foreigner - Live in Chicago

2009

The Fray - Live at Soundstage poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

The Fray - Live at Soundstage

2010

Kenny Chesney: Summer In 3D poster
10.0

Country music singer Kenny Chesney performs live in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle, Indianapolis and Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Kenny Chesney: Summer In 3D

2010

Fleetwood Mac: Live in Boston poster
7.4

Live in Boston is a live performance by the band Fleetwood Mac, released June 15, 2004. The concert was filmed September 23 and 24, 2003 at the Fleet Center (now known as the TD Garden) in Boston, Massachusetts during the group's Say You Will Tour.

Fleetwood Mac: Live in Boston

2004

Best of Chris Isaak poster
6.0

Chris Isaak begins his third decade as one of the most distinctive recording artists- and the epitome of modern cool-with his first career-spanning retrospective.

Best of Chris Isaak

2006

Yes - Songs From Tsongas poster
NR

Songs from Tsongas is a live video and album by the English rock band Yes, released on DVD in 2005 and CD and Blu-ray in 2014 by Image Entertainment. It was recorded at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts on 15 May 2004 during the band's 2004 tour in celebration of their 35th anniversary. It is the band's last live album to feature original singer Jon Anderson.

Yes - Songs From Tsongas

2015

Stevie Nicks - Live in Chicago poster
7.7

This Bluray features Nicks' October 25, 2007 Soundstage performance. The Bluray features special guest Vanessa Carlton for whom Nicks provided backing vocals on her 2007 album Heroes & Thieves. The first lady of Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks performs her classic rock hits as well songs from her acclaimed solo albums on LIVE IN CHICAGO. Recorded in 2007 before a crowd of adoring fans, these Soundstage sessions feature Nicks at her most engaging, offering mesmerizing versions of "Rhiannon," "Landslide," "Dreams," and many more.

Stevie Nicks - Live in Chicago

2009

Soundstage - Chris Isaak Christmas poster
NR

Taped at the Soundstage studio this September, in Chicago, Chris and his long-time band perform some of his childhood favorites such as "Mele Kalikimaka" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in addition to classic holiday standards ranging from "White Christmas" to "Chestnuts." Isaak also includes some holiday originals such as "Washington Square" and "Hey Santa." Other songs performed are "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Blue Christmas," "Let it Snow" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" to name a few. Joining Chris on a number of duets will be Michael Buble, Brian McKnight, and Stevie Nicks.

Soundstage - Chris Isaak Christmas

2004

Regina Spektor: Live on Soundstage poster
8.0

On Friday July 29, 2016, singer/songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor performed at WTTW's Grainger Studio in Chicago to about 400 of her biggest fans. Spektor delivers an array of her compositions from past projects and her (then) latest album 'Remember us to life'.

Regina Spektor: Live on Soundstage

2017

Regina Spektor: Live on Soundstage poster
8.0

On Friday July 29, 2016, singer/songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor performed at WTTW's Grainger Studio in Chicago to about 400 of her biggest fans. Spektor delivers an array of her compositions from past projects and her (then) latest album 'Remember us to life'.

Regina Spektor: Live on Soundstage

2017

Phil Collins: Going Back - Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC poster
7.0

This concert Blu-ray sees Phil Collins take his superb new album Going Back into the live arena. Filmed in June of this year in the intimate surroundings of New York s famous Roseland Ballroom, this is a real chance to get up close and personal as Phil Collins faithfully recreates the soul and Motown classics that he loved as a teenager. His band includes three of Motown s original backing band The Funk Brothers: Bob Babbitt on bass and guitarists Eddie Willis and Ray Monette, as well as two stalwarts of Genesis live shows: Chester Thompson on drums and Darryl Stuermer on guitars. Phil Collins performs a number of Motown covers during the course of this high-energy show performed at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. The setlist of over a dozen tunes includes "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone,"and "Going to a Go-Go."

Phil Collins: Going Back - Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC

2010

Phil Collins: Going Back - Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC poster
7.0

This concert Blu-ray sees Phil Collins take his superb new album Going Back into the live arena. Filmed in June of this year in the intimate surroundings of New York s famous Roseland Ballroom, this is a real chance to get up close and personal as Phil Collins faithfully recreates the soul and Motown classics that he loved as a teenager. His band includes three of Motown s original backing band The Funk Brothers: Bob Babbitt on bass and guitarists Eddie Willis and Ray Monette, as well as two stalwarts of Genesis live shows: Chester Thompson on drums and Darryl Stuermer on guitars. Phil Collins performs a number of Motown covers during the course of this high-energy show performed at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. The setlist of over a dozen tunes includes "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone,"and "Going to a Go-Go."

Phil Collins: Going Back - Live at the Roseland Ballroom, NYC

2010

Jon Secada: Live On Sound Stage poster
10.0

Live On Soundstage performance was originally broadcast on the PBS Soundstage series. Songs include cuts from Jon Secada's recent tribute to Latin singer Beny More' and also Jon's classic pop hits, "Just Another Day," "Do You Believe In Us", as well as many others. With a career spanning more than two decades, three Grammy Awards, 20 million records sold, and leading roles on Broadway, Jon Secada's acclaimed romantic sound has resulted in numerous hits in English and Spanish, establishing him as one of the first bilingual artists to have international recognition in both markets.

Jon Secada: Live On Sound Stage

2017

Faith Hill - Joy to the World: Live at Soundstage poster
NR

Joy to the World is a televised Soundstage Special Event performed by Faith Hill at Sears Centre Arena, November 2008 Taped September 10, 2008.

Faith Hill - Joy to the World: Live at Soundstage

2008

Stevie Nicks 24 Karat Gold The Concert poster
7.6

Recorded over two nights in Indianapolis and Pittsburg, the concert film highlights Stevie Nick’s career-spanning setlist, her animated storytelling, and special moments with Tom Petty, Prince, Lindsey Buckingham, and others.

Stevie Nicks 24 Karat Gold The Concert

2020

Steve Winwood Live in Concert Soundstage poster
9.0

As I was marveling at how great Steve Winwood looked for a man who surely must be in his mid-60's, considering that he was fronting The Spencer Davis Group way back in 1963, I quickly remembered that he was only 15 years old at the time. Talk about your musical prodigies. That would make him only 55 at the time of this performance. Although he is probably past his prime by now, his voice sounds better than ever and his Hammond B3 playing remains unparalleled.

Steve Winwood Live in Concert Soundstage

2005

Sheryl Crow Live Soundstage poster
2.0

Captured in High-Definition and Mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound. Join Sheryl Crow as she leads her longtime band through some of her biggest hits in this one-night-only Soundstage performance, which also includes a rare cover of the Nick Lowe classic "(What's So Funny `Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding." Features: My Favorite Mistake, You're An Original, The First Cut Is The Deepest, Leaving Las Vegas, Strong Enough, Redemption Day, Sweet Rosalyn, If It Makes You Happy, Home, All I Wanna Do, Soak Up The Sun, Everyday Is A Winding Road, (What's So Funny `Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding, Let's Get Free, Safe and Sound, I Shall Believe, Steve McQueen.

Sheryl Crow Live Soundstage

2004

Ringo Starr and the Roundheads - Live poster
5.6

Filmed at this historic Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois on June 24, 2005 - this amazing, one-night-only event presents Ringo Starr performing five Beatles classics along with his greatest solo hits in a career-spanning set with The Roundheads. Features: It Don't Come Easy, Octopus's Garden, Choose Love, I Wanna Be Your Man, Who Can It Be Now? (with special guest Colin Hay), Don't Pass Me By, I'm The Greatest, Give Me Back The Beat, Memphis In Your Mind, Photograph, Back Off Boogaloo, Yellow Submarine, Act Naturally, With A Little Help From My Friends

Ringo Starr and the Roundheads - Live

2005

Brian Wilson and Friends - A Soundstage Special Event poster
8.0

In his Soundstage special, Brian Wilson performs hits from his illustrious award-winning career as a Beach Boy, as well as selections from his new album No Pier Pressure.

Brian Wilson and Friends - A Soundstage Special Event

2015

Brian Wilson and Friends - A Soundstage Special Event poster
8.0

In his Soundstage special, Brian Wilson performs hits from his illustrious award-winning career as a Beach Boy, as well as selections from his new album No Pier Pressure.

Brian Wilson and Friends - A Soundstage Special Event

2015

Umphrey's McGee: Live From the Lake Coast Skyline Stage poster
NR

The first DVD release from Umphrey's McGee features excerpts from the band's two-night stand at the Skyline Stage in Chicago, on July 26 & 27, 2002. It is the only video to feature original drummer Mike Mirro, who would leave the band at the end of the year.

Umphrey's McGee: Live From the Lake Coast Skyline Stage

2002