Thomas, 78, has logged 26 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1966 through 1983 and achieved No. 1 singles across the Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Adult Contemporary charts.
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” was his first leader on any Billboard chart, spending four weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and seven weeks at No. 1 on Adult Contemporary in 1969-70. The song, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, went on to win the Oscar for best original song.
“I just wanted to take this unique opportunity to share my gratitude to Gloria, my wonderful wife and my rock for over 53 years, my family, friends, and fans,” Thomas said in a statement about the diagnosis. “I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to record and perform beautiful songs in pop, country, and gospel music, and to share those wonderful songs and memories around the world with millions of you. I ask all of you for your prayers during this time and that my music can live on with you.”
Among his other chart-toppers across the various charts were “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Rock and Roll Lullaby,” “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” “Whatever Happened to Old Fashioned Love” and “New Looks From an Old Lover.”
His most recent Billboard chart appearance came in 2013 with duets album The Living Room Sessions, which reached No. 39 on the Top Country Albums chart.
–Keith Caulfield assisted in preparing this story.
