Jimmy Charles
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Charles, was an American
singer with a distinctive "crying style".
Charles was born in Paterson, New Jersey
, in 1943. Before he sang professionally, he built up quite a local reputation wailing at churches and community functions.
When Charles was 16, his uncle accompanied him to New York City
to try his luck at the amateur talent shows held at the Apollo Theater
. Surprisingly, Charles won the renowned contest for four consecutive weeks.
Charles' uncle then hooked up his warbling kin with Phil Medley
, a jack-of-all-trades who was an accomplished singer, songwriter, producer, and arranger. Impressed by the lad's delivery, Medley cut a demo with Charles singing a song Medley had been trying to place entitled A Million to One
. He got the ear of Bill Lashley, an executive at Promo Records, and played it for him. Promo liked the demo and signed the youngster to a recording contract. They redid Medley's song with the Revellettes backing the singer. The Revellettes were a trio from Paterson New Jersey, and were friends of Jimmy's and included sisters Jackie and Evelyn Kline, and Dottie Hailstock. When the song was recorded, they did 16 takes to get the one they wanted. It was a very hot day in Paterson, and the flip they nailed in just one try. The dreamy ballad ascended to number five on Billboard's Top 100
in September of 1960. It was also released on the London label for both the UK and Australia, and it was pressed on Reo for Canada. The record received worldwide acclaim
His career ended as quickly as it started. The Age of Love, Charles' next release, stalled at the 47th position, 42 slots lower than A Million to One. Jimmy Charles also released two Christmas records in 1960. Santa Won't Be Blue This Christmas backed with I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus was the first. The second was Christmasville USA and A Little White Mouse Called Steve. The latter was a record that did receive airplay and is remembered by many , but sadly did not become a national chart hit. A subsequent release called Just Whistle for Me failed to attract much attention or airplay either, and his career was quickly over. Jimmy did continue to tour on the strength of A Million To One, well into the 60's. Today, he resides in Texas, and has started singing again when time permits.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer with a distinctive "crying style".
Charles was born in Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson, New Jersey
Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...
, in 1943. Before he sang professionally, he built up quite a local reputation wailing at churches and community functions.
When Charles was 16, his uncle accompanied him to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to try his luck at the amateur talent shows held at the Apollo Theater
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
. Surprisingly, Charles won the renowned contest for four consecutive weeks.
Charles' uncle then hooked up his warbling kin with Phil Medley
Phil Medley
Philip "Phil" Medley was an American songwriter notable for his composition "Twist & Shout", which he wrote along with Bert Russell. The song was made famous by both The Isley Brothers and The Beatles. Medley also co-wrote "If I Didn't Have a Dime" for Gene Pitney with Russell...
, a jack-of-all-trades who was an accomplished singer, songwriter, producer, and arranger. Impressed by the lad's delivery, Medley cut a demo with Charles singing a song Medley had been trying to place entitled A Million to One
A Million to One
"A Million to One" is a song written by Phil Medley and first recorded by Jimmy Charles on his 1960 album The Age for Love. It peaked at #5 on a Promo single.-Covers:...
. He got the ear of Bill Lashley, an executive at Promo Records, and played it for him. Promo liked the demo and signed the youngster to a recording contract. They redid Medley's song with the Revellettes backing the singer. The Revellettes were a trio from Paterson New Jersey, and were friends of Jimmy's and included sisters Jackie and Evelyn Kline, and Dottie Hailstock. When the song was recorded, they did 16 takes to get the one they wanted. It was a very hot day in Paterson, and the flip they nailed in just one try. The dreamy ballad ascended to number five on Billboard's Top 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in September of 1960. It was also released on the London label for both the UK and Australia, and it was pressed on Reo for Canada. The record received worldwide acclaim
His career ended as quickly as it started. The Age of Love, Charles' next release, stalled at the 47th position, 42 slots lower than A Million to One. Jimmy Charles also released two Christmas records in 1960. Santa Won't Be Blue This Christmas backed with I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus was the first. The second was Christmasville USA and A Little White Mouse Called Steve. The latter was a record that did receive airplay and is remembered by many , but sadly did not become a national chart hit. A subsequent release called Just Whistle for Me failed to attract much attention or airplay either, and his career was quickly over. Jimmy did continue to tour on the strength of A Million To One, well into the 60's. Today, he resides in Texas, and has started singing again when time permits.