The Checkmates, Ltd. were an American R&B group from Fort Wayne, Indiana.^[1] The group, discovered by Nancy Wilson, included both black and white members;^[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]

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