Charlie Thomas, singer for The Drifters, died at age 85 on Jan. 31, his good friend Peter Lemongello Jr. confirmed to The New York Instances on Monday (Feb. 6).
In keeping with Lemongello, Thomas died on account of liver most cancers, however often stored up together with his bodily actions till his situation began deteriorating.
“He was growing old, however he was lively nearly each weekend,” Lemongello, former singer for The Crests, instructed the newspaper. “Sadly, he went from being lively to being at house and he began going downhill.”
Thomas grew to become a member of The Drifters after an opportunity encounter. In 1958, the tenor was singing as a part of the 5 Crowns at New York’s Apollo Theatre when The Drifters’ unique supervisor, George Treadwell, fired all members of the group for getting drunk and cursing present promoter and Apollo proprietor Mary Goldberg. Treadwell changed all members of The Drifters with 5 Crowns.
Led by Ben E. King, The Drifters skilled success from a number of singles. “There Goes My Child,” “Underneath The Boardwalk,” and “Up on the Roof” grew to become beloved R&B classics, although The Drifters wouldn’t high the Billboard charts till 1960 with “Save the Final Dance For Me,” which topped the Billboard Scorching 100. The tune has since been coated by Dolly Parton, Michael Bublé and extra. “Sweets for My Candy” peaked at No. 16 on the Scorching 100 in 1961, and “When My Little Lady Is Smiling” cracked the highest 30 of the chart at No. 28 in 1962.
Thomas — alongside band members King, Clyde McPhatter, Invoice Pinkney, Gerhart Thrasher, Johnny Moore and Rudy Lewis — was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 1988. Regardless of the group’s many iterations all through the years, Thomas continued performing with The Drifters all through to the pandemic.
Thomas is survived by his spouse, Rita Thomas; his two daughters, Crystal Thomas Wilson and Victoria Inexperienced; and his three sons, Charlie “Glad” Thomas Jr., Michael Sidbury and Brian Godfrey.
