Charlie Thomas, the legend of the Drifters, has died at the age of 85
Drifters legend Charlie Thomas has died at the age of 85 after a battle with liver cancer, as his friend pays tribute to him after a 60-year career.
- The iconic artist passed away after battling liver cancer
- Charlie was a member of The Drifters for over 60 years and sang the lead on songs like Sweets for My Sweet and There Goes My First Love.
Drifters singer Charlie Thomas has died at the age of 85.
The iconic entertainer has passed away after battling liver cancer, his friend Peter Lemongello Jr revealed Tuesday.
Charlie was a member of the doo-wop group for over 60 years and sang the lead on songs like Sweets for My Sweet and There Goes My First Love.
Peter confirmed that he died at his home in Bowie, Maryland, on January 31.
He said The New York Times: ‘I was getting old, but I was active almost every weekend.
RIP: The Drifters singer Charlie Thomas has died at the age of 85 (pictured performing in 2016)
“Unfortunately, he went from being active to being at home and it started to go downhill.”
Charlie also performed lead vocals on When My Little Girl Is Smiling in 1962, and the song peaked at number 28 on the US charts.
Known for his distinctive tenor voice, he also provided vocals for tracks like There goes my baby, under the boardwalk and up on the roof.
The Drifters first formed in 1953, but Charlie did not join the group until 1959, having previously played with a band. called The Five Crowns in a Harlem theater.
Manager George Treadwell had previously decided to fire the entire lineup of the group after a member got drunk and cursed at him.