Joe Blunt, a vocalist for the legendary R&B group The Drifters, has died.
He was 74.
According to reports, Blunt actually died back on March 26 at his home in Temple Hills, Maryland.
“Joe was easy, I every way,” The Drifters manager Burke Allen told ENSTARZ. “He was always prepared and at the top of his game vocally and with his stagecraft. He was so gracious and kind to his fans, promoters…everybody he came in contact with. He would treat the kitchen staff with the same respect he would treat the guy writing the check — I loved that about him.”
Blunt began his musical career at 18 as a member of The Chancellors.
He joined The Drifters in 1975, performing next to Rock & Roll Hall of famers Ben E. King and Johnny Moore in the group. He also performed as the lead singer on several tracks.
Blunt retired from The Drifters after 10 years, and returned home to focus on performing gospel music and acting.
He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Sony Music in 2009, and in 2012 he received a Gold Disk from Sony Music for his contributions to “The Drifters” The Very Best of,” CD which was certified Gold in the United Kingdom.