THE CHECKMATES - BLACK PEARL (LIVE VIDEO FOOTAGE)

THE CHECKMATES - BLACK PEARL. THIS GROUP WAS FROM FORD WAYNE, INDIANA AND WERE DISCOVERED BY NANCY WILSON. MEMBERS ARE: SONNY CHARLES (LEAD VOCALS), BOBBY STEVENS (VOCALS), HARVEY TREES (GUITAR), BILL VAN BUSKIRK (BASS), MARVIN ' SWEET LOUIE' SMITH (DRUMS, VOCALS), CALVIN THOMAS (DRUMS) AND JIMMY MILTON (VOCALS).

[@VinettiaBarnes]

My uncle called me Black Pearl after this song. I have never forgotten that. We don't talk anymore but that's a wonderful memory I have of him.

[@shaunwalker6651]

I love this SONG, bring tears to my eyes every time I listen to it. As a black WOMAN in her late 60 young man treat your mama, sisters, aunts, BIG MAMAS and and any BLACK WOMAN as a PEARL.

[@DJJAZZYREAVES]

It should be about 2 million likes on this song

[@glennicefryson9638]

I love when the guy on keyboard just couldn't stay stand it any longer. He had me moving. Loved this song. It did not get the play it deserved.

[@deborahjones4585]

This is my favorite song of all time

[@lillianthomas4395]

Wonderful song, the words and arrangement are so exquisite.

[@carlenejones253]

Wow I remember this song when I was a child so uplifting inspiring and for me it exudes confidence This song is on my playlist Thanks Mom for playing this song when we were little all three of yours daughters and sons aspired toward better things and without your hope dreams and teaching others and teachings we had a great childhood Thanks Sonny for creating this excellent songs 4

[@augieramirez8074]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@larrybriscoe2677]

Great songs never die. Black Pearl will always b one of my favorites. Takes me back to my freshman @t high shool

[@RaspyOne]

TOTALLY LOVE SONNY CHARLES and The Checkmates

[@3kingkool]

Love the keyboardist and the drummer during the final break near the end of the song.

[@glennicefryson9638]

He had to move!

[@joehellno9097]

Hey! The Checkmates! Loved‘ em! Late 60s at UNLV, we danced to their albums at parties and went to see them at the hotel for their lounge act, which was wonderful-always! Sonny could Dance!!!

[@eveharrison8967]

I love the song Black Pearl I was only 16 years old and I love to dance that's rough. What's segregation I like soul music Sam Cooke The Temptations Four Tops I guess you have retired mister Charles

[@ronaldtaylor9920]

Man this is my favorite song brings back great memories thanks to sonny a great man with great voice

[@robertvelez8485]

A One Hit Wonder yet one of the biggest hit songs of the year of the man of the moon 1969!

[@thebarak]

1972, I was 14, visiting from England, and staying at the International (Hilton) Las Vegas. No-one under 21 could do anything or go anywhere, but a friend got me into the lighting booth for this show. I met the band afterwards and "Sweet Louie" gave me signed drumsticks.

[@RaspyOne]

thebarak You are so very lucky :) I would have given anything to have seen them perform, let alone meeting them afterwards - plus getting signed drumsticks from "Sweet Louie" :) WOW, this has to be one of your best times :)

[@joehellno9097]

thebarak @thebarak Hey! I saw them dozens of times back in Vegas in the late ‘60s. Always wonderful energetic performances!! Beautiful harmonies.And check this--Not only could I dance just like Sonny Charles ( smooth but funky ), but one day, ran into the group in a bar off the strip, and I beat drummer Sweet Louie at pool! And I’m NOT a good pool player. Here’s to the Checkmates!

[@rolandoaponte214]

One of the best songs ever!

[@murielmchie1506]

WHEN MY OLDEST GIRL WAS BORN I BOUGHT THIS FOR HER AND IT SPEAKS OF MY MOTHER BECAUSE SHE CLEANED WHITE FOLKS HOUSE SHE WAS MY BLACK PEARL.

[@chazzjazz6906]

Sonny Charles, workin' it out and keyboardist is "Smokin" A Masterpiece!

[@bennyadler5882]

Bad video by a great performer who worked harder than anyone to create his own style as "Sonny Charles".. That and Phil Spector created a masterpiece here,. Absolutely one of the most underrated and undeterred lead singers in R&R/VBR&B and a very humble man is Sonny Charles.

[@willw8883]

I remember this song from school. Love the sound and vocals. Wish this had better video.

[@lobo7792]

as a die hard oldie fan, this is in my top ten. Love it. Yha, yha , yha mama baby.

[@JoannHruby]

Love this song best I ever heard !

[@rebeccalepage5540]

A song &vocals for all times.Yesterday,today&tomorrow.Timeless.

[@garykane3502]

Black pride.

[@johnlargan6045]

Remember hearing this for the first time on the Phil Spector Back To Mono box set. This is the first time I've seen a video for it! Thank you for posting this!

[@jamesrobinson6880]

Glad I found this song again. I had forgotten about it.

[@jamieandlynn]

Love this song! Memories!!!!

[@ianbright1506]

Amazing must be 30 years since I heard this. Miss those happier times

[@glennicefryson9638]

I miss those days. singing today cannot even touch the tip of those singers

[@davidlewis5177]

SUPERB!!!

[@henryhill850]

When i was a kid about 12 he send me to the dry cleaners for him..we lived on 77 and Racine .in Chicago ILL'''..

[@joehellno9097]

henry hill @henry hill Henry! I live in Chicago now. But I was in Vegas when the Checkmates played there. Take a look at my comment to the Barack somewhere above!

[@robertbrooks7001]

Was the cleaners on 79th? Where did he stay?

[@eleanorreyes512]

Beautiful, precious memories of my youth! Luv it!!! There will never EVER be times, singers like these AGAIN!!! NEVER EVER!! Luv the sixties and seventies.

[@carloduncan3595]

I love the band at about 2:15. Nothing but soul!!!

[@dundee520]

great post --- cheers

[@mosogotam]

ILMJ....how in the Hell did I miss this??? Thanks for posting one of my absolute favorite songs...nice to actually see the group !

[@gailjackson9648]

Wow I loved this song then. Love it now. Bring back so many memories and tears.

[@cheardsful]

This song is lifting up the black woman how you have been down too long your preciouse your a Qween your a black pearl !!!!

[@stevewhewell6190]

Dedicated to "Savannah" and "Georgia" my two little adopted "Black Pearls".

[@spectrumlocalb191]

THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO OF THIS IN HERE THE OTHERS HAVE OPHRA WINFREY IN THEM AND SHE COULD NOT LICK SONNY CHARLES'S FEET.

[@jimbee01028]

so cool you got this old rare video

[@ellenpearljackson5219]

It's me and my grandma song Pearl

[@Peaches6589]

I totally love this song

[@maz3705]

beautiful

[@jefo4213]

this is not live, this the spector version with sonny's voice altered in the studio becuase he had a cold

[@w9x7cv3vg6]

with their style and group name…I thought they were a group who had their start in the 50s….that 45 rpm was one of my first in a good run of singles on 45

[@lajas46]

The first time I heard this record I though it was Stevie Wonder.

[@ElChupacabra77B]

If I haven't seen this video, I would think this was Smokey Robinson and The Miracles singing this. The leader singer also sounds a bit like Rod Stewart.

[@bettypierson3451]

Tiktok

[@josephq2228]

💚2023✨planting seeds.........🎶 #MillenniumLanceAndTheOpenScroll 🌹 🎠🌈🌈💍🌈🌈🔥 Daniel 12 Revelation 21 keeping the Faith 💜😎