Lee Thompson, a founding member of the iconic British band Madness, has opened up about his upbringing, his father's criminal activities, and the band's enduring financial success. Thompson, 69, whose band formed in 1976 and produced hits like "One Step Beyond," "My Girl," and "Our House," detailed his financial journey in a recent interview.
Thompson described his father, Fred, as a gambler and a member of a north London gang involved in hijacking lorries and breaking into warehouses. This led to Fred being in and out of prison, resulting in an unpredictable childhood for Lee and his sister. "Every now and then he'd leave a wedge of £1 notes under my pillow if he was on a winning streak," Thompson recalled, adding that his father once lost £4,000 on a horse bet. Fred Thompson died of a heart attack in Norwich Prison at age 57.
In contrast, Lee's mother, Lillian, was financially prudent. She advised her son against drug use and cautioned him to manage his money wisely when Madness began to achieve success. Thompson admitted he was already too