A Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame inductee just lately handed away.

In accordance with The Los Angeles Instances, longtime member of the R&B group, the Drifters, Charlie Thomas, has died on the age of 85. Thomas’ buddy, Peter Lemongello Jr. confirmed that the singer handed away on Jan. 31 at his house in Bowie, MD.

“He was ageing, however he was lively nearly each weekend,” Lemongello advised The New York Instances. “Sadly, he went from being lively to being at house and he began going downhill.”

He died after shedding a battle with liver most cancers.

The veteran performer was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame in 1988 along with his fellow Drifters Ben E. King, Invoice Pinkney, Clyde McPhatter, Gerhart Thrasher, Johnny Moore, and Rudy Lewis.

In accordance with U Uncover Music, Thomas, who was born in Lynchburg, VA, began his singing profession with a gaggle named the 5 Crowns. He and the opposite members of the group have been recruited to turn out to be The Drifters after George Treadwell, who owned the group’s title, fired the unique members in 1958.

Thomas carried out with the group off-and-on for greater than 60 years. The singer left the Drifters in 1967, however rejoined in 1988, when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame. They recorded a number of hit data together with, “There Goes My Child,” “Below the Boardwalk,” “This Magic Second” and “Save the Final Dance for Me.”

Thomas additionally recorded lead vocals on 1961’s “Sweets For My Candy,” in addition to the favored tune, “When My Little Lady Is Smiling.”

He was additionally acknowledged with a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Basis in 1999.

A memorial service for Thomas has been deliberate for Feb. 16 at First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover, MD.

Thomas leaves behind his spouse, Rita Thomas; his two daughters, Crystal Thomas Wilson, and Victoria Inexperienced; his three sons, Charlie Jr., Michael Sidbury and Brian Godfrey, together with quite a few grandchildren and great-grandchildren.