Singer BJ Thomas has passed away at the age of 78, following a battle with lung cancer.
The hitmaker was best known for his recordings of Hooked On A Feeling and Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head.
The singer’s death was announced by his Twitter page with a photo of the late star alongside a message that read: “It is with profound sadness we confirm the passing of BJ Thomas.”
BJ passed away from complications from stage four lung cancer, at his home in Arlington, Texas yesterday (May 29).
He had publicly declared his diagnosis in March this year and was receiving treatment at the time of his death.
(Image: Getty Images North America)
BJ was a five-time Grammy Award winner, who sold millions of records worldwide across genres.
His career took off with his 1966 gospel-style cover of Hank Williams’ I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.
He went on to score a No. 1 with pop, adult contemporary and country listeners in 1976 with (Hey Won´t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.
(Image: Getty Images)
His most famous song was Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head which won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1969 for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
He wasn’t the first choice to perform the track, and originally star Robert Redford doubted the song’s place in the film.
Speaking to USA Today in 2019, Robert said: “When the film was released, I was highly critical – how did the song fit with the film? There was no rain.
(Image: WireImage)
“At the time, it seemed like a dumb idea. How wrong I was.”
The song went on to be heard around the world, featuring in everywhere from The Simpsons to Forrest Gump and was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2013.
BJ continued to have many hits throughout the 70s and 80s even singing the theme song from sitcom The Facts of Life.
He had planned to record more songs in 2020 in Alabama but was delayed by the pandemic.
BJ is survived by his wife Gloria Richardson, and their three daughters, Paige, Nora, and Erin.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
