The Drifters' Charlie Thomas Dead at 85

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's passing was confirmed on social media.

Charlie Thomas, star of renowned musical group The Drifters, has died. He was 85.

The celebrated vocalist passed away on Jan. 31, at his home in Bowie, Maryland, Deadline reports.

The news was also confirmed by the musician's friend and fellow singer Peter Lemongello Jr., on social media on Jan. 31. Thomas' cause of death was due to complications from liver cancer, Lemongello revealed to The New York Times on Monday (Feb. 6).

"I am completely devastated and shattered after losing my best friend of so many years, Charlie Thomas, the last original recording member of The Legendary Drifters," Lemongello wrote on Instagram.

Thomas' tenure with the group spanned over six decades, lending his talent to hit tracks such as "Under the Boardwalk," "There Goes My Baby," "Sweets for My Sweet," "This Magic Moment," "Up on the Roof," "On Broadway," and chart-topper "Save the Last Dance for Me," in addition to countless others.

"Charlie was with the group longer and on more hit records than any other member in history," Lemongello continued in his post. "His accomplishments were recognized when he was 1 of just 7 members of The Drifters to be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. I have so many fond memories that we have spent together through much of my life growing up, that I will cherish forever. I can still hear Charlie proclaim 'Peter Is A Star!' which he would often tell me and whoever was around."

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In 1988, Thomas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Drifters, and earned recognition from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999 with a Pioneer Award.

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The revered star eventually formed Charlie Thomas' Drifters—one of the many groups that branched off from The Drifters—who continued to perform up until the Coronavirus pandemic led to mass shutdowns of entertainment venues.

"He was aging, but he was active almost every weekend," Lemongello told the publication. "Unfortunately, he went from being active to being at home and he started going downhill."

Thomas is survived by his wife, Rita Thomas, his daughters Crystal Thomas Wilson and Victoria Green, and his sons, Charlie Jr., Michael Sidbury and Brian Godfrey, as well as multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.