Charlie Thomas

Charlie Thomas (born 7 April 1937 in Lynchburg, Virginia) is an American rhythm and blues singer best known for his work with The Drifters. Thomas was performing with The Five Crowns at the Apollo Theater in 1958 when George Treadwell fired his group, called The Drifters. Treadwell recruited the Crowns to become the new Drifters. The new Drifters' first release was the 1959 hit "There Goes My Baby". Charlie was lead singer on two of the group's top 40 hits, "Sweets For My Sweet" and "When My Little Girl Is Smiling". Charlie Thomas was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.