The Charades

The Charades
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres R&B, Doo-wop, Surf music
Years active 1960s
Labels Northridge, Impact Records, MGM
Associated acts The Latin Knights
The Rhythm Aces
Website www.charademusic.com
Past members Johnny T.Johnson
Syl Grigsby
Alex Pilkinton
Levern Butler
Ray Baradat

The Charades were a group who were active in California in the early to mid 1960s and released a number of singles.

Background

They started out in the late 1950s under the name The Latin Knights. The Charades were popular in the san Joaquin valley in California doing local functions etc.[1] The name was changed to The Charades in 1962.[2] By 1962, they had signed with Anthony J. Hilder.[3] They had their first release on Northridge Records. Another label they had a release on was Ava Records which was owned by Fred Astaire.[4] Hilder who in those days was called Tony Hilder is credited ads co-composer and producer of "Please Be My Love Tonight" which was the A side of the single. Robert Hafner was the credited as co-composer for the B side.[5][6] Other 45 releases were on Original Sound Records[7] and Impact Records.[8] They recorded a single for the Skylark label. The single "Flamingo" actually featured Los Angeles vocalist Billy Storm on lead. Storm also co-produced the single.[9]

At one stage the group was joined by Tom Johnston who would later go on to be a member of The Doobie Brothers.[10]

Note: There was a group from Nashville bearing the same name that released a politically motivated single in 1966, "Hammers And Sickles" / "Left Wing Bird" - Monument 921. They were unrelated.[11][12]

Later years

Their 1966 recording "The Key To My Happiness" has become a Northern Soul favorite, and is in Ian Levine's all-time Top Ten Northern Soul sounds list.[13] It is also in the top-ten list of Northern Soul fillers as picked by Wigan Casino DJ Richard Searling.[14] As recorded on the Popsike website, in a 2007 eBay auction, a black label version of the MGM release of the song went for a tasty £350.[15]

The Charades, with original members Ray Baradat and Syl Grigsby, continue to perform and record. The group has two CD release in 2010 "Connections" and a release in 2015 "Echoes of Yesterday".

Members

Discography


Singles

Shared singles

Vinyl albums

Compact disc albums

Compact disc compilation albums

Links

References

  1. ↑ Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups by Mitch Rosalsky Chaps. 73 Charades (Los Angeles)
  2. ↑ The Brymers website - 1960's ROCK-N-Roll BANDS - FROM THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY (1960 - 1970) - Rampage
  3. ↑ White doo-wop collector THE CHARADES_Turn Him Down
  4. ↑ Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups by Mitch Rosalsky Chaps. 73 Charades (Los Angeles)
  5. ↑ 45Cat C-154
  6. ↑ Artist direct The Charades Please Be My Love Tonight
  7. ↑ Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups by Mitch Rosalsky Chaps. 73 Charades (Los Angeles)
  8. ↑ Global Dog Productions 45 Discography for Impact Records
  9. ↑ Office Naps Vocal group exotica
  10. ↑ Milwaukee Sentinel July 21, 1973 *** Young America *** Part 1 Page 7, Doobies' Basic Rock Conquors All By Martin Hintz
  11. ↑ Souful Kinda Music Monument Records
  12. ↑ Atomic Platters Hammers And Sickles: The Charades [1966]
  13. ↑ The Story of Northern Soul: A Definitive History of the Dance Scene that Refuses to Die by David Nowell Chapter 4 Turn the Beat Around
  14. ↑ Manchester Evening News 17 Oct 2014 Wigan Casino DJ Richard Searling picks his top ten northern soul floor-fillers
  15. ↑ Popsike Northern Soul : THE CHARADES - KEY TO MY HAPPINESS
  16. ↑ Popsike auction details > CHARADES 45 For You 1962 Doo Wop SURF Northridge
  17. ↑ Global Dog Productions 45 Discography for Impact Records
  18. ↑ 45Cat The Charades - Discography
  19. ↑ Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups by Mitch Rosalsky Page 73 Charades (Los Angeles)
  20. ↑ The Rock & Country Encyclopedia & Discography Charades
  21. ↑ Discogs Charades, The – Dreaming Up A World Of Fantasy
  22. ↑ 45Cat The Charades - Discography
  23. ↑ 45Cat The Charades - Discography
  24. ↑ Discogs Charades, The / Scott Brothers, The – The Key To My Happiness / My Day Has Come
  25. ↑ Discogs Charades, The – Looking Like Love
  26. ↑ The Charades website Charades History
  27. ↑ All Music The Charades Please Be My Love Tonight
  28. ↑ Allmusic The Charades/Imaginations The Imaginations meet The Charades
  29. ↑ The Rock & Country Encyclopedia & Discography Charades
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