Sonny Charles
Encyclopedia
Sonny Charles is an American
soul
singer from Fort Wayne
, Indiana
. He was the lead singer of Checkmates, Ltd.
in the 1960s and 1970s, and it is his vocals that are heard out front on their 1969, Phil Spector
-poduced hit, "Black Pearl." Charles launched a solo
career in the early 1970s, and after a brief reunion with The Checkmates, again in the 1980s. Thereafter, he toured with another member of the Checkmates LTD, Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith, under the Checkmate name.
Charles' 1982 album
, The Sun Still Shines, recorded
on Highrise Records, hit #136 on the Billboard
album chart and #14 on the U.S. Black Albums
chart on the strength of the single "Put it in a Magazine". Written by Charles with producer Bobby Paris, the song went to #2 on the R&B Singles chart and reached #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1983. The follow-up single, "Always on My Mind", peaked at #53, but Charles quickly fell from view.
In 2008 Sonny Charles joined the Steve Miller Band
and toured with them.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer from Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. He was the lead singer of Checkmates, Ltd.
Checkmates, Ltd.
Checkmates, Ltd. were an American R&B group from Fort Wayne, Indiana. The group, discovered by Nancy Wilson, included both black and white members; their one major hit was 1969's "Black Pearl", produced by Phil Spector. The song peaked at #13 on the U.S. pop chart...
in the 1960s and 1970s, and it is his vocals that are heard out front on their 1969, Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
-poduced hit, "Black Pearl." Charles launched a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
career in the early 1970s, and after a brief reunion with The Checkmates, again in the 1980s. Thereafter, he toured with another member of the Checkmates LTD, Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith, under the Checkmate name.
Charles' 1982 album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, The Sun Still Shines, recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
on Highrise Records, hit #136 on the Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
album chart and #14 on the U.S. Black Albums
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
chart on the strength of the single "Put it in a Magazine". Written by Charles with producer Bobby Paris, the song went to #2 on the R&B Singles chart and reached #40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1983. The follow-up single, "Always on My Mind", peaked at #53, but Charles quickly fell from view.
In 2008 Sonny Charles joined the Steve Miller Band
Steve Miller Band
The Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1967 in San Francisco, California. The band is managed by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals, and is known for a string of mid-1970s hit singles that are staples of the classic rock radio format.-History:In 1965, Steve Miller and...
and toured with them.