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Checkmates, Ltd.
American R&B group From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Checkmates, Ltd. were an American R&B group from Fort Wayne, Indiana.[1] The group, discovered by Nancy Wilson, was named such because the group included both black and white members, and their various skin tones evoked a chessboard;[1] their one major hit was 1969's "Black Pearl", produced by Phil Spector.[1] The song peaked at No. 13 on the U.S. pop chart.[2] Their remake of "Proud Mary" reached No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart in late 1969.[3]
The group broke up in 1970, but reunited in 1974 for a few more years.[1] They performed on the same billing as Frank Sinatra and Herb Alpert, and sang the national anthem for the Thrilla in Manila in 1975.[4] Lead singer Sonny Charles later had a moderately successful career as a solo artist. Charles and Marvin ("Sweet Louie") Smith later reunited and toured the U.S. into the 2000s.
Smith died on December 15, 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.[4][5]
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Members
- Sonny Charles – lead vocals – (born Charles Hemphill, September 4, 1940, Blytheville, Arkansas)[2] – Charles was later a vocalist with the Steve Miller Band.[6]
- Bobby Stevens – vocals[1]
- Harvey Trees – guitar[1]
- Bill Van Buskirk – bass[1]
- Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith – drums, vocals[1]
- Calvin Thomas – drums
- Jimmy Milton – vocals
- Joseph Ramirez - guitar
Discography
Albums
Singles
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References
External links
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