Rock & Roll's Hidden Giant: The Story of Rock Pioneer Charlie Gracie on The Andrew Eborn Show
Charlie Gracie is one of a diminishing number of rock & roll innovators. A native of South Philadelphia, he became the first successful recording star of the “Rock Era” to emerge from that neighbourhood. In 1957, Charlie’s Butterfly topped the American and British music charts, selling over 3 million copies. His other late 50’s big sellers include: Fabulous, Ninety-Nine Ways, Wanderin Eyes, I Love You So Much It Hurts and Cool Baby. These hits bankrolled Philly’s famous Cameo-Parkway record label.
At the height of his fame, Charlie frequently appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, The Ed Sullivan Show, and Alan Freed’s TV Specials. He headlined shows at the Brooklyn Paramount, the Casino Royale in Washington, the 500 Club in Atlantic City, the Opera House in Chicago and old Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia.
Charlie’s star burned even brighter in Great Britain where he became the first solo American artist to bring rock & roll to the English concert stage. Preceded only by Bill Haley and the Comets, Charlie headlined London’s Palladium and Hippodrome - receiving outstanding receptions from the press and public. Charlie’s popularity in the United Kingdom continues to this day where he continues to tour annually.
His superb guitar playing elicited the highest of praise from music legends like George Harrison. The late Beatle once referred to Charlie’s guitar technique as “brilliant” in a March 1996 interview with Billboard Magazine. Sir Paul McCartney paid tribute to Charlie by recording an updated version of Fabulous on his album Run Devil Run.
Pop superstar Sir Cliff Richard followed in 2014 and 2016 by paying tribute to Charlie with updated versions of Fabulous and Butterfly in his Fabulous Rock & Roll Songbook CD series.
Belfast Blues performer Van Morrison displayed his admiration for Charlie by inviting him to open a West Coast tour - one of a precious few artists to be given that honour!
In 2011, on his 75th birthday, Charlie recorded ‘Baby Doll’, a true resurrection for him as it received mass airplay on the BBC as well as Sirius XM in the USA, entering the Mediabase Top 100 and the #1 retail seller position for several weeks in Philadelphia. As the record peaked, he headlined the World Café and played at the Bitter End in NYC.
In 2012 Charlie was the subject of a made for PBS-TV documentary: Fabulous! The program recounted the story of his influential career - from humble beginnings in his South Philadelphia row home to concert stages around the world!
@AndrewEborn @OctopusTV #TheAndrewEbornShow
© Octopus TV Ltd 2021.
Charlie Gracie is one of a diminishing number of rock & roll innovators. A native of South Philadelphia, he became the first successful recording star of the “Rock Era” to emerge from that neighbourhood. In 1957, Charlie’s Butterfly topped the American and British music charts, selling over 3 million copies. His other late 50’s big sellers include: Fabulous, Ninety-Nine Ways, Wanderin Eyes, I Love You So Much It Hurts and Cool Baby. These hits bankrolled Philly’s famous Cameo-Parkway record label.
At the height of his fame, Charlie frequently appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, The Ed Sullivan Show, and Alan Freed’s TV Specials. He headlined shows at the Brooklyn Paramount, the Casino Royale in Washington, the 500 Club in Atlantic City, the Opera House in Chicago and old Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia.
Charlie’s star burned even brighter in Great Britain where he became the first solo American artist to bring rock & roll to the English concert stage. Preceded only by Bill Haley and the Comets, Charlie headlined London’s Palladium and Hippodrome - receiving outstanding receptions from the press and public. Charlie’s popularity in the United Kingdom continues to this day where he continues to tour annually.
His superb guitar playing elicited the highest of praise from music legends like George Harrison. The late Beatle once referred to Charlie’s guitar technique as “brilliant” in a March 1996 interview with Billboard Magazine. Sir Paul McCartney paid tribute to Charlie by recording an updated version of Fabulous on his album Run Devil Run.
Pop superstar Sir Cliff Richard followed in 2014 and 2016 by paying tribute to Charlie with updated versions of Fabulous and Butterfly in his Fabulous Rock & Roll Songbook CD series.
Belfast Blues performer Van Morrison displayed his admiration for Charlie by inviting him to open a West Coast tour - one of a precious few artists to be given that honour!
In 2011, on his 75th birthday, Charlie recorded ‘Baby Doll’, a true resurrection for him as it received mass airplay on the BBC as well as Sirius XM in the USA, entering the Mediabase Top 100 and the #1 retail seller position for several weeks in Philadelphia. As the record peaked, he headlined the World Café and played at the Bitter End in NYC.
In 2012 Charlie was the subject of a made for PBS-TV documentary: Fabulous! The program recounted the story of his influential career - from humble beginnings in his South Philadelphia row home to concert stages around the world!
@AndrewEborn @OctopusTV #TheAndrewEbornShow
© Octopus TV Ltd 2021.
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