How did Charlie Thomas die? Legendary R&B singer and The Drifters alum dies at 85
BOWIE, MARYLAND: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Charlie Thomas reportedly died at the age of 85 on January 31. Thomas is survived by his wife, Rita, daughters, Crystal Thomas Wilson and Victoria Green, sons, Charlie Jr, Michael Sidbury and Brian Godfrey.
Best known for his stint with The Drifters from the mid-'50s, he lent his voice to hits including 'Sweets for My Sweet' and 'When My Little Girl Is Smiling'. Thomas and other members of the group were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. While 'Sweets for My Sweet' hit No 16 on the Hot 100 in 1961, 'When My Little Girl Is Smiling', reached No 28 the following year. The legendary R&B singer also received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.
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How did Charlie Thomas die?
Thomas' death was confirmed by one of his close friends, Peter Lemongello Jr, who was quoted by The New York Times as saying, "He was aging, but he was active almost every weekend. Unfortunately, he went from being active to being at home and he started going downhill." Lemongello informed the publication that Thomas died after a prolonged battle with liver cancer.
'He was the very sound of the sea': Tributes pour in for R&B legend
The death of Thomas has saddened music lovers from around the world, and tributes continue to pour in for the legendary singer. Adam Nelson, founder of WorkHouse, said that he had the great fortune of capturing the legendary Thomas on the historic Asbury Park Boardwalk. "He was the very sound of the sea," Nelson tweeted. Legendary singer Gary U.S. Bonds wrote, "Sadly, we lost another good friend today, Charlie Thomas of the Drifters. Rest in peace, Charlie. We will miss you." Expressing their deepest condolences for the loss of Charlie Thomas, the California Music Hall of Fame tweeted, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Charlie Thomas." Music journalist Richard Scheinin tweeted, "'He was heard on hits like 'There Goes My Baby,' 'Under the Boardwalk' and 'Up on the Roof.' He kept singing them for decades.' Charlie Thomas, a Drifter Nearly All His Life in Song, Dies at 85."
I had the great fortune of capturing the legendary Charlie Thomas of “The Drifters” as he sang his iconic chart topper ‘Under the Boardwalk’ on the historic Asbury Park Boardwalk. He was the very sound of the sea #RIP #asburypark #drifters #charliethomas pic.twitter.com/uSAJaSFrGT
— Adam Nelson (@workhousepr) January 31, 2023
Sadly, we lost another good friend today, Charlie Thomas of the Drifters. Rest in peace, Charlie. We will miss you.#rocknroll#legend pic.twitter.com/BtBTipIZi8
— Gary U.S. Bonds (@gary_us_bonds) February 1, 2023
The CMHOF expresses their deepest condolences for the loss of Charlie Thomas. Charlie Thomas was most known for his vocal talent in the popular group The Drifters. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Charlie Thomas.#CharlieThomas pic.twitter.com/vRkRDluCtc
— California Music Hall Of Fame (@CAMusicHall) January 31, 2023
"He was heard on hits like `There Goes My Baby,' `Under the Boardwalk' and `Up on the Roof.' He kept singing them for decades."
— Richard Scheinin (@RichardScheinin) February 7, 2023
Charlie Thomas, a Drifter Nearly All His Life in Song, Dies at 85 https://t.co/mgEgocsjut