The Checkers (American band)

The Checkers 1952. Top left: Bill Brown. Top right: Irwin Williams. Bottom left: Buddy Brewer. Bottom right: Charlie White.

The Checkers were an American doo-wop quintet (later quartet) formed in 1952. The original members were John Carnegie (Tenor/Lead), Charlie White (Tenor/Lead), Irwin "Teddy" Williams (Tenor), James Turner "Buddy" Brewer (Baritone), and Bill Brown (Bass/Primary Lead). The group, only having recorded 25 singles (with 1 going unreleased) for the King Records imprint and their subsidiary Federal Records broke up in 1955. The most notable aspect of the group was their constantly changing sound due to the 5 personnel changes that happened within their short existence. King kept on releasing bands under the pseudonym of "The Checkers" until the mid 70s.

Career

The group formed on 119th Street in Harlem in February 1952. Often times, the group had a fluid membership with the only constants being two young men, John Carnegie and Irwin “Teddy” Williams. With this ever changing roster they’d perform on street corners, at parties, and teen hops. It was there they caught the eye of Bill Brown and Charlie White, both men had just exited The Dominoes months prior and Charlie’s deal with The Clovers fell through at the time. Since there was plenty of spots to fill, they joined the group. James Turner “Buddy” Brewer was called upon to take up baritone duties. Brewer, Brown, and Joe Lamont (also an original member of the Dominoes) had been in the 5 International Gospel Singers of South Carolina together.

Of the two press photos taken, John Carnegie was in neither of them. This was believed to be because his father didn't want him in the group.

By the time early June came, they signed with King, and they were ready to cut their first records. This was the only session to feature Carnegie’s vocals which were on all 4 sides. After this, Carnegie mainly stayed in school and would never record or perform with the Checkers again. From there on out, the group was using the name "The Checkers" to compete with the Dominoes.

In January 1953, White left due to his drug problems and later that month, had joined The Clovers as was intended in 1951. White was replaced by Perry Heyward, former lead of the Sparrows. Heyward led “Ghost of my Baby”.

After a few months, Perry would be replaced by David Lee “Little David” Baughan. Baughan would sing falsetto on the bridge of their most famous song, a cover of The White Cliffs of Dover. Baughan would also lead the unreleased “A Friend in Need”, “I Promise You”, and “A House With No Windows”.

In the late spring of 1954, Baughan would exit the group to join The Drifters again, this time as a replacement for Clyde McPhatter. This would be the catalyst for the break up of the group. Soon after, Brewer left show business and became a truck driver. Williams would carry on in the Singinaires and former groupmate John Carnegie. Ultimately, Williams would give up music all together by the early 1960s.

Brown went about to reform the Checkers before their last studio session in late 1954, this group consisted of Eddie “Monkey Man” Harris (former lead of the Blue Dots on Deluxe), David Martin (2nd Tenor, formerly of the Sparrows with Perry Heyward), and James Williams (Baritone).

This Checkers line up would continue to perform live, but broke up in mid 1955. Their last record being released post-break up in December 1955. Recording a total of 25 songs all for King and re-released on Federal. Only one track, “A Friend in Need” from 1953, went unreleased.

Members

John Carnegie (1952)

Charlie White (1952-1953)

Irwin "Teddy" Williams (1952-1954)

James Turner "Buddy" Brewer (1952-1954)

Bill Brown (1952-1955)

Perry Heyward (1953)

David Lee Baughan (1953-1954)

Eddie Harris (1954-1955)

David Martin (1954-1955)

James Williams (1954-1955)

Deaths

The book "Encyclopedia of Rhythm and Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups" By Mitch Rosalsky, says that Bill Brown died In 1956 and Another Source says Bill Brown died In 1958.(Also according to R&B historian Marv Goldberg, Bill Brown died before the mid-70s)

David Baughan died On January 1, 1970, from an accidental fall after a night of drinking. (according To his daughter)

Irwin Richard "Teddy" Williams died on October 17, 1970

John Carnegie died in May, 1979.

James Turner “Buddy” Brewer died on November 1, 2000.

Charlie White allegedly died in 2005.

Perry Heyward died on July 3, 2010.

The whereabouts of later members Eddie Harris, David Martin, and James Williams are unknown.

External links

• Marv Goldberg's article on the Checkers
• Doo-Wop Blog article on the Checkers