The Drifters musician Charlie Thomas dead at 85

Musician Charlie Thomas has died at the age of 85.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died Jan. 31 following battling liver most cancers, good friend Peter Lemongello Jr. confirmed to Fox Information Electronic.

Lemongello Jr., also a musician, noted the funeral will be held Feb. 16 at Very first Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover, Maryland.

Lemongello Jr. also shared a tribute to Thomas on Instagram.

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“I am wholly devastated and shattered just after loosing [sic] my ideal friend of so several many years Charlie Thomas, the past initial recording member of The Legendary Drifters,” he captioned a picture of the two. “Charlie was with the team for a longer period and on extra strike information than any other member in background. His accomplishments have been identified when he was 1 of just 7 customers of The Drifters to be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.”

“I have so numerous fond memories that we have put in together through significantly of my lifestyle rising up, that I will cherish forever,” Lemongello Jr. additional. “I can even now hear Charlie proclaim ‘Peter Is A Star!’ which he would frequently convey to me and whoever was close to. I’ll pass up you forever Charlie!”

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame also paid tribute to the singer on social media.

“1988 Inductee Charlie Thomas’ sophisticated tenor vocals aided bridge gospel with R&B and blues and laid the basis for 1960s soul audio,” the concept explained.

“Charlie Thomas’ suave, complex voice elevated every day joys and enjoys, placing a common chord in listeners everywhere.”

Charlie Thomas was recognized for the songs “Sweets for My Sweet” and “When My Very little Female is Smiling” from the Drifters. (Getty Visuals)

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Thomas was most acknowledged as 1 of the associates of the Drifters. Some of the top tunes integrated “Less than the Boardwalk” and “There Goes My Newborn.”

He sang the lead vocals for hits these kinds of as “Sweets for My Sweet” and “When My Minor Woman is Smiling.”

Thomas toured with the band for several years and only slowed down as soon as he grew to become unwell in the commencing of the coronavirus pandemic.

Charlie Thomas continued touring with the Drifters until the begin of the coronavirus pandemic. (Getty Images)

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“He was getting old, but he was energetic practically every weekend,” Lemongello Jr. explained to The New York Situations. “Unfortunately, he went from being energetic to being at dwelling, and he started out going downhill.”

Thomas is survived by his wife Rita Thomas and their kids.