Thompson was raised in Queens, New York. His mother was Trinidadian and father was of Antiguan descent. He first played drums for the group Labelle, and then for a short time was a member of the band Ecstasy, Passion & Pain. While he was the drummer for Chic, he played music with many artists such as Jody Watley, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Adam Ant, Mick Jagger and David Bowie.