The Checkmates, Ltd.

Live Albums

About The Checkmates, Ltd.

Formed in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1957, this self-contained band was one of the first racially mixed ensembles. The members were lead singer and keyboard player Sonny Charles (b. Charles Hemphill, 4 September 1940, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA), bass player Bill Van Buskirk (b. 7 February 1941, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA), drummer Marvin Smith (b. 25 September 1940, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA), vocalist Bobby Stevens (b. 6 September 1939, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA), and lead guitarist Harvey Trees (b. 14 June 1940, Aitkin, Minnesota, USA). The group, which began recording in 1963 when they made a single for the Chicago-based I.R.P. label, is inexorably linked with the legendary producer Phil Spector, who gave them their one national hit, ‘Black Pearl’, for A&M Records in 1969. The soul-styled song was one of Spector’s few successes after he re-emerged in the business following a hiatus in the late 60s. Two other Spector-produced singles that sandwiched ‘Black Pearl’, ‘Love Is All I Have To Give’ and ‘Proud Mary’ (a remake of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song), failed to dent the charts. The Checkmates were inactive between 1970 and 1974, but a re-formed ensemble led by Charles and Smith returned to the charts with a minor hit, ‘All Alone By The Telephone’ for Polydor Records in 1976. In the early 80s Charles pursued a solo career and hit with ‘Put It In A Magazine’ and The Sun Still Shines in 1982, but afterwards continued his career as a member of the Checkmates, Ltd. The group’s album output reflects their years playing the Las Vegas lounges.

ORIGIN
Fort Wayne, IN, United States
FORMED
1957
GENRE
R&B/Soul

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