Checkmates, Ltd.

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Birthplace: Fort Wayne, IN
Members: Sonny Charles – lead vocals – (born Charles Hemphill, September 4, 1940, Blytheville, Arkansas)[6] – Charles was later a vocalist with the Steve Miller Band.[7] Bobby Stevens – vocals[1] Harvey Trees – guitar[1] Bill Van Buskirk – bass[1] Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith – drums, vocals[1] Calvin Thomas – drums

Artist Biography by Ron Wynn A '60s soul group, the Checkmates, Ltd. scored with one big hit, 1969's "Black Pearl." They were fronted by Sonny Charles, who later scored a big hit in the early '80s as a solo act. The group earned some attention for its integrated roster; other members were Bobby Stevens, Harvey Trees, Bill Van Buskirk, and Marvin Smith. They were from Fort Wayne, IN, and were a discovery of Nancy Wilson. They disbanded from 1970 to 1974, then returned for another shot and issued "All Alone by the Telephone" in 1976 for Polydor, which flopped.

Checkmates, Ltd.

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