The Drifters singer Charlie Thomas died on January 31 at the age of 85, his friend Peter Lemongero Jr. has confirmed. new york times Monday (6th February).
According to Lemongello, Thomas died as a result of liver cancer, but kept up with regular physical activity until his condition began to deteriorate.
“He was old, but he was active almost every weekend,” Crest’s former singer Lemongero told the newspaper. It started going downhill.”
Thomas became a member of the Drifters through a chance encounter. In 1958, Tenor was singing as part of the Five Crowns at New York’s Apollo Theater when George Treadwell, the first manager of the Drifters, drunkenly accused the show’s promoter and Apollo owner, Mary Gold. dismissed all members of the group for taunting Berg. Treadwell replaced all members of the Drifters with Five Clowns.
Led by Ben E. King, The Drifters had several successful singles. “There Goes My Baby,” “Under the Boardwalk,” and “Up on the Roof” became beloved R&B classics, but The Drifters released “Save the Baby” in 1960. “Last Dance for Me” never topped the Billboard charts. Billboard Hot 100. The song has since been covered by Dolly Parton, Michael Bublé and others. “Sweets for My Sweet” reached her No. 16 on the Hot 100 in 1961, and “When My Little Girl Is Smile” entered her Top 30 chart in 1962 at No. 28.
Thomas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, along with band members King, Clyde McPhatter, Bill Pinkney, Gerhard Thrasher, Johnny Moore, and Rudy Lewis. all the way to the pandemic.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Rita Thomas. His two daughters, Crystal Thomas Wilson and Victoria Green. His three sons, Charlie “Happy” Thomas his Jr., Michael Sidbury and Brian Godfrey.