The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Broadcast Pioneers member Charlie Gracie

Born Charles Anthony Graci on Thursday, May 14, 1936 in South Philly, he was one musician who can boast that he never had a day job. He has been a performer all his life.

The owner of Cadillac Records, Graham Prince, heard one of Gracie's early radio performances, contacted the young musician and signed him to a recording contract. This association yielded the single, "Boogie Woogie Blues" backed with "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter." The record led to Charlie's first appearance on Bob Horn's Bandstand television program, then a local TV program on WFIL-TV, Channel 6 in Philadelphia.

After cutting two more singles for Cadillac, Rockin´ ´n´ Rollin´ being one of the titles, Charlie moved on to 20th Century Records where he put out another four sides. The discs he made embraced a wide variety of styles: jump blues, gospel, and country boogie with the influences of Big Joe Turner, B.B. King, Louis Jordan, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams.

Charlie made appearances on both the Paul White Teen Club on ABC that originated out of WFIL and the Horn and Hardart's Children's Hour from WCAU radio and television.

Broadcast Pioneers member Charlie Gracie is one of a diminishing number of rock-n-roll innovators, who continues to actively perform. A native of South Philadelphia, he became the first successful recording star of the "Rock Era" to emerge from that neighborhood. In 1957, Charlie's 'Butterfly' topped the American and British music charts, selling over 3 million copies. His other late fifties big sellers include: 'Fabulous', 'Ninety-Nine Ways', 'Wanderin Eyes' and 'I Love You So Much It Hurts'. These hits bankrolled Philly's famous Cameo-Parkway record label, making it a dominant force in the music industry for nearly a decade!

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, and Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. Charlie's star burned even brighter in Great Britain where he became the second American artist to bring rock-n-roll to the English concert stage. Preceded only by Bill Haley, Charlie headlined the London Palladium and Hippodrome receiving outstanding receptions from the press and public. To this day, Charlie Gracie, is a much loved and respected performer the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

While Charlie has earned a place in rock music history, this is only one dimension to a career that spans over forty years. His versatility makes him the consummate music man! Today, Charlie enjoys a strong following at clubs and resorts along the northeast corridor of the U.S. Twice annually, he performs to large audiences in countries such as: England, Italy, Germany, Austria, Finland, Spain and Holland. His superb guitar playing elicits the highest of praise from music legends like George Harrison.

The ex-Beatle referred to Charlie's guitar work as 'brilliant' in a March 1996 interview with Billboard Magazine. Paul McCartney paid tribute to Charlie by Recording an updated version of 'Fabulous' in his new 1999 CD series entitled: "Run Devil Run." McCartney honored Charlie again that fall by inviting him to the album's premiere party in London.

The year 2000 found Charlie on the road with Irish blues rocker, Van Morrison. Van, another Charlie Gracie admirer, commissioned him to open his shows at the Wiltern in Los Angeles and The House of Blues in Las Vegas. A short time later, Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young fame, declared that Charlie inspired him to a musical career. Nash then proceeded to contribute vocally on Charlie's latest CD release-his first of the new Millennium.

It is obvious why Charlie Gracie has lasted the course longer than most. He is an accomplished musician and an exceptional talent - a devoted family man who conducts himself as a gentleman both on stage and off. He is a credit to his industry. Charlie was voted into Great Britain's Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame (1998) founded by "Now Dig This" magazine.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com