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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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| name = Rockie Charles |
| name = Rockie Charles |
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| death_place = [[New Orleans]], Louisiana, U.S. |
| death_place = [[New Orleans]], Louisiana, U.S. |
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| instrument = Guitar |
| instrument = Guitar |
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| genre = [[Blues]], [[ |
| genre = [[Blues]], [[soul]] |
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| occupation = |
| occupation = Musician, [[bandleader]] |
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| years_active = 1958<ref name="offbeat"/> |
| years_active = 1958<ref name="offbeat"/> – 2010 |
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| label = Black Patch, Soulgate, Orleans Records |
| label = Black Patch, Soulgate, Orleans Records |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Alfred Charles Merrick''' (November 14, 1942 |
'''Alfred Charles Merrick''' (November 14, 1942 – March 21, 2010), known professionally as '''Rockie Charles'''<ref name="nola">{{cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2010/03/rockie_charles_the_president_o.html|title=Rockie Charles, the 'President of Soul,' dies at age 67|work=New Orleans Time Picyaune|first=Alison|last=Fensterstock|date=March 12, 2010|accessdate=April 14, 2014}}</ref> was a American [[Blues]] singer, songwriter and guitarist from [[New Orleans]].<ref name="offbeat">{{cite web|url=http://www.offbeat.com/2010/04/01/rockie-charles-1939-2010/|title=Obituary: Rockie Charles|first=Jeff|last=Hannush|publisher=Offbeat Magazine|date=April 1, 2010|accessdate=April 14, 2014}}</ref> He was described as the "President of Soul".<ref name="nola"/> |
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==Early |
==Early years== |
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Charles was born in [[Boothville, Louisiana]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Blues: A Regional Experience|first=Bob L|last=Eagle|first2=Eric S|last2=LeBlanc|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2013|page=182|isbn=978-0-3133-4424-4}}</ref> and learned to play guitar from his father, Earlington, a travelling bluesman who played juke joints in the segregated [[Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana]]. He moved to New Orleans aged 13,<ref name="offbeat"/> where he shared the stage with fellow teenagers [[Ernie K-Doe]] and [[Aaron Neville]] at talent contests which were frequently held at [[Lincoln Beach amusement park|Lincoln Beach]], the African-American amusement park near Lake Ponchartrain during segregation.<ref name="nola"/> His early influences were [[Earl King]] and [[Chuck Berry]].<ref name="am">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rockie-charles-mn0000241843|title=Rockie Charles |
Charles was born in [[Boothville, Louisiana]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Blues: A Regional Experience|first=Bob L|last=Eagle|first2=Eric S|last2=LeBlanc|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2013|page=182|isbn=978-0-3133-4424-4}}</ref> and learned to play guitar from his father, Earlington, a travelling bluesman who played juke joints in the segregated [[Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana]]. He moved to New Orleans aged 13,<ref name="offbeat"/> where he shared the stage with fellow teenagers [[Ernie K-Doe]] and [[Aaron Neville]] at talent contests which were frequently held at [[Lincoln Beach amusement park|Lincoln Beach]], the African-American amusement park near Lake Ponchartrain during segregation.<ref name="nola"/> His early influences were [[Earl King]] and [[Chuck Berry]].<ref name="am">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rockie-charles-mn0000241843|title=Rockie Charles – Biography|first=Jason|last=Ankeny|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=April 14, 2014}}</ref> Charles dropped out of high school in the 10th grade and moved to [[Venice, Louisiana]]. He returned to New Orleans aged 18 and started the band The Gadges.<ref name="offbeat"/> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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According to the [[Times-Picayune|New Orleans Time Picyaune]], Charles was turned down by Dave Bartholomew at Imperial Records and Allen Toussaint at Instant and Minit.<ref name="nola"/> He instead signed with [[Senator Jones]]' Black Patch label in the mid-60's and released the singles "Mr. Rickashay" and "Sinking Like A Ship."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.offbeat.com/2009/01/01/senator-jones-1934-2008/|title=Obituary : Senator Jones|first=Jeff|last=Hannusch|publisher=Offbeat Magazine|date= |
According to the [[Times-Picayune|New Orleans Time Picyaune]], Charles was turned down by Dave Bartholomew at Imperial Records and Allen Toussaint at Instant and Minit.<ref name="nola"/> He instead signed with [[Senator Jones]]' Black Patch label in the mid-60's and released the singles "Mr. Rickashay" and "Sinking Like A Ship."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.offbeat.com/2009/01/01/senator-jones-1934-2008/|title=Obituary : Senator Jones|first=Jeff|last=Hannusch|publisher=Offbeat Magazine|date=January 1, 2009|accessdate=April 14, 2014}}</ref> After releasing records with Black Patch, Charles relocated to Nashville, where he backed performers including [[O.V. Wright]], [[Little Johnny Taylor]], and [[Roscoe Shelton]]. He returned to New Orleans in 1970, and set up his own label, Soulgate, where he had a local hit with "The President of Soul".<ref name="am"/> During the 1970s and 1980s he worked as a tugboat captain and oyster fisherman, while playing in various jazz and blues clubs.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of the Blues|first=Edward|last=Komara|publisher=Psychology Press|year=2005|page=193|isbn=978-0-4159-2699-7}}</ref> |
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His recording career resumed in 1994 after New Orleans Records producer Carlo Ditta responded to an advertisement Charles had placed in a local entertainment magazine. This led to the release of his debut solo LP, ''Born for You'' in 1996.<ref name="am"/> He subsequently recorded two albums with [[Louie Fontaine]] in 2003 and 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.louiefontaine.com/page/bio|title=Louis Fontaine Official Biography|accessdate= |
His recording career resumed in 1994 after New Orleans Records producer Carlo Ditta responded to an advertisement Charles had placed in a local entertainment magazine. This led to the release of his debut solo LP, ''Born for You'' in 1996.<ref name="am"/> He subsequently recorded two albums with [[Louie Fontaine]] in 2003 and 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.louiefontaine.com/page/bio|title=Louis Fontaine Official Biography|accessdate=April 14, 2014}}</ref> |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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* ''Born for You'' (1996) |
* ''Born for You'' (1996) |
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* ''Have You Seen My Uncle Steve'' (2002)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rockie-charles-mn0000241843/discography|title=Rockie Charles disography|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate= |
* ''Have You Seen My Uncle Steve'' (2002)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rockie-charles-mn0000241843/discography|title=Rockie Charles disography|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=April 14, 2014}}</ref> |
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* ''I Want First Class'' (2009)<ref name="offbeat"/> |
* ''I Want First Class'' (2009)<ref name="offbeat"/> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://orleansrecords.com/artists/rockie-charles/ Orleans Records |
* [http://orleansrecords.com/artists/rockie-charles/ Orleans Records – Rockie Charles] |
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[[Category:Musicians from New Orleans, Louisiana]] |
[[Category:Musicians from New Orleans, Louisiana]] |
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Revision as of 08:22, 16 April 2014
Rockie Charles | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alfred Charles Merrick |
| Born | November 14, 1942 Boothville, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | March 21, 2010 (aged 67) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Years active | 1958[1] – 2010 |
| Labels | Black Patch, Soulgate, Orleans Records |
Alfred Charles Merrick (November 14, 1942 – March 21, 2010), known professionally as Rockie Charles[2] was a American Blues singer, songwriter and guitarist from New Orleans.[1] He was described as the "President of Soul".[2]
Early years
Charles was born in Boothville, Louisiana[3] and learned to play guitar from his father, Earlington, a travelling bluesman who played juke joints in the segregated Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. He moved to New Orleans aged 13,[1] where he shared the stage with fellow teenagers Ernie K-Doe and Aaron Neville at talent contests which were frequently held at Lincoln Beach, the African-American amusement park near Lake Ponchartrain during segregation.[2] His early influences were Earl King and Chuck Berry.[4] Charles dropped out of high school in the 10th grade and moved to Venice, Louisiana. He returned to New Orleans aged 18 and started the band The Gadges.[1]
Career
According to the New Orleans Time Picyaune, Charles was turned down by Dave Bartholomew at Imperial Records and Allen Toussaint at Instant and Minit.[2] He instead signed with Senator Jones' Black Patch label in the mid-60's and released the singles "Mr. Rickashay" and "Sinking Like A Ship."[5] After releasing records with Black Patch, Charles relocated to Nashville, where he backed performers including O.V. Wright, Little Johnny Taylor, and Roscoe Shelton. He returned to New Orleans in 1970, and set up his own label, Soulgate, where he had a local hit with "The President of Soul".[4] During the 1970s and 1980s he worked as a tugboat captain and oyster fisherman, while playing in various jazz and blues clubs.[6]
His recording career resumed in 1994 after New Orleans Records producer Carlo Ditta responded to an advertisement Charles had placed in a local entertainment magazine. This led to the release of his debut solo LP, Born for You in 1996.[4] He subsequently recorded two albums with Louie Fontaine in 2003 and 2006.[7]
Death
Charles died of cancer at the age of 67, shortly after completing an album, I Want First Class. Ponderosa Stomp organiser Ira "Dr. Ike" Padnos said that "If Rockie had had the right push, the right breaks, he really could have done something great ... he was a first-class, stand-up guy. I loved him for that."[2]
Discography
References
- ^ a b c d e Hannush, Jeff (April 1, 2010). "Obituary: Rockie Charles". Offbeat Magazine. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Fensterstock, Alison (March 12, 2010). "Rockie Charles, the 'President of Soul,' dies at age 67". New Orleans Time Picyaune. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ Eagle, Bob L; LeBlanc, Eric S (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. ABC-CLIO. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-3133-4424-4.
- ^ a b c Ankeny, Jason. "Rockie Charles – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ Hannusch, Jeff (January 1, 2009). "Obituary : Senator Jones". Offbeat Magazine. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ Komara, Edward (2005). Encyclopedia of the Blues. Psychology Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-4159-2699-7.
- ^ "Louis Fontaine Official Biography". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "Rockie Charles disography". Allmusic. Retrieved April 14, 2014.