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.[1] Their cover version of "Proud Mary" reached #30 in the UK Singles Chart in late 1969.[2]
The group broke up in 1970, but reunited in 1974 for a few more years. They performed on the same billing as Frank Sinatra and Herb Alpert, and sang the National anthem for the Thrilla in Manila in 1975.[3] Lead singer Sonny Charles later had a moderately successful career as a solo artist. Charles and Smith later reunited and toured the U.S. into the 2000s.
"Sweet Louie" Smith (born Marvin Smith) died on 15 December 2007 of a heart attack, while on a cruise ship in the Caribbean where he and Sonny Charles were scheduled to perform. He was 68.[3][4]
Members
- Sonny Charles – lead vocals – (born Charles Hemphill, 4 September 1940, Fort Wayne, Indiana)[5] – Charles was later a vocalist with the Steve Miller Band.[6]
- Bobby Stevens – vocals
- Harvey Trees – guitar
- Bill Van Buskirk – bass
- Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith – drums, vocals
- Calvin Thomas – drums
- Jimmy Milton – vocals
Discography
Albums
- Live at Caesars Palace (Capitol Records, 1967) U.S. Black Albums #36[7]
- Love Is All We Have to Give (Hip-O/A&M Records, 1969) U.S. #178[7]
- Bobby Stevens & the Checkmates, Ltd. (Rustic Records, 1971)
- FSO (Rustic, 1974)
- We Got the Moves (Fantasy Records, 1978)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | UK | AU | ||
| 1966 | "Do The Walk" | - | - | - |
| "I Can Hear The Rain" | - | - | - | |
| 1967 | "Mastered The Art of Love" | - | - | - |
| "Walk In The Sunlight" | - | - | - | |
| 1968 | "Spanish Harlem" | - | - | - |
| 1969 | "Black Pearl" | 13 | - | 31 |
| "Love Is All I Have To Give" | - | - | 31 | |
| "Proud Mary" | - | 30 | - | |
| 1970 | "I Keep Forgettin'" | - | - | - |
| 1974 | "Run Nigger Run" | - | - | - |
| 1976 | "All Alone By The Telephone" | - | - | - |
| 1977 | "I'm Laying My Heart On The Line" | - | - | - |
| "Let's Do It" | - | - | - | |
| 1978 | "Greedy For Your Love" | - | - | - |
References
- ↑ Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edition, 2000
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lifeinlegacy.com
- ↑ Seattletimes.nwsource.com – Obituary
- ↑ Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. 7th edn, 2000
- ↑ Steve Miller Band Celebrates 40 Years With 'Live' DVD | Billboard.com
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Billboard, Allmusic.com
