Drifters legend Charlie Thomas has died aged 85

Drifters singer Charlie Thomas has died at the age of 85.

The legendary actor died after a battle with liver cancer, his friend Peter Lemongello Jr. announced on Tuesday.

Charlie was a member of the doo-wop group for over 60 years, singing lead on songs like Sweets for My Sweet and There Goes My First Love.

Peter confirmed he died on January 31 at his home in Bowie, Maryland.

He told the New York Times: “He was getting older, but he was active almost every weekend.

RIP: Drifters singer Charlie Thomas has died aged 85 (pictured performing in 2016)

“Unfortunately he went from being active at home and it went downhill.”

Charlie also performed lead vocals on When My Little Girl Is Smiling in 1962, with the song peaking at #28 on the US chart.

Known for his distinctive tenor voice, he also provided vocals on tracks like There goes my baby, under the boardwalk and up on the roof.

The Drifters were first formed in 1953, but Charlie only joined the group in 1959, having previously performed with a band called The Five Crowns at a theater in Harlem.

Manager George Treadwell had previously decided to fire the group’s entire lineup after one member got drunk and verbally abused him.

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