Rockie Charles

about

Early years Charles was born in Boothville, Louisiana 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, 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. His early influences were Earl King and Chuck Berry. 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. 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. He instead signed with Senator Jones' Black Patch label in the mid-1960s and released the singles "Mr. Rickashay" and "Sinking Like A Ship." 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". During the 1970s and 1980s he worked as a tugboat captain and oyster fisherman, while playing in various jazz and blues clubs. His recording career resumed in 1994 after New Orleans Records producer Carlo Ditta responded to an advert

top songs

albums

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Putumayo Presents: Louisiana Gumbo

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Louisiana Gumbo

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Putumayo Presents Rhythm & Blues

Putumayo presents: Rhythm & Blues

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Putumayo Presents Louisiana Gumbo

Born For You

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(Putumayo presents) Rhythm & Blues

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Rhythm & Blues

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Putumayo presents - Rhythm & Blues

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Blues Story #24

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Orleans Records Story

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Putumayo - Louisiana Gumbo

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