Rockie Charles

Alfred Charles Merrick (November 14, 1942 – March 21, 2010), known professionally as Rockie Charles[1] was an American Blues singer, songwriter and guitarist from New Orleans.[2] He was described as the "President of Soul".[1][3]

Rockie Charles
Birth nameAlfred Charles Merrick
Born(1942-11-14)November 14, 1942
Boothville, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedMarch 12, 2010(2010-03-12) (aged 67)[1]
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
GenresBlues, soul
Occupation(s)Musician, bandleader
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1958[2] – 2010
LabelsBlack Patch, Soulgate, Orleans Records

Early years

Charles was born in Boothville, Louisiana[4] and learned to play guitar from his father, Earlington, a travelling bluesman who played juke joints in the segregated Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Charles moved to New Orleans aged 13,[2] 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.[1] His early influences were Earl King and Chuck Berry.[5] 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.[2]

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.[1] He instead signed with Senator Jones' Black Patch label in the mid-1960s and released the singles "Mr. Rickashay" and "Sinking Like A Ship."[6] 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, on which he had a local hit with "The President of Soul".[5] During the 1970s and 1980s he worked as a tugboat captain and oyster fisherman, while playing in various jazz and blues clubs.[7]

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.[5] He subsequently recorded two albums with Louie Fontaine in 2003 and 2006.[8]

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."[1]

Discography
  • Born for You (1996)
  • Have You Seen My Uncle Steve (2002)[9]
  • I Want First Class (2009)[2]
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References
  1. Fensterstock, Alison (March 12, 2010). "Rockie Charles, the 'President of Soul,' dies at age 67". New Orleans Time Picyaune. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  2. Hannush, Jeff (April 1, 2010). "Obituary: Rockie Charles". Offbeat Magazine. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  3. Kobrin, Mike. "In Memoriam: Rockie Charles". WWOZ, New Orleans. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  4. Eagle, Bob L; LeBlanc, Eric S (2013). Blues: A Regional Experience. ABC-CLIO. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-3133-4424-4.
  5. Ankeny, Jason. "Rockie Charles – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  6. Hannusch, Jeff (January 1, 2009). "Obituary : Senator Jones". Offbeat Magazine. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  7. Komara, Edward (2005). Encyclopedia of the Blues. Psychology Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-4159-2699-7.
  8. "Louis Fontaine Official Biography". Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  9. "Rockie Charles discography". Allmusic. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
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