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Charlie Gracie at the London Hippodrome

 

Charlie Gracie tops the Bill at the London Hippodrome - 1957My father CHARLIE GRACIE, the first solo American rock 'n' roll star (after Bill Haley's Comets), to bring the music to the U.K. (1957), was the last star to headline at the Hippodrome (August '57), before its conversion into a cabaret house in '58.

The "HIPP" is still widely known here in the States. We have always been proud of the fact that our father played a small part in the history of that great showplace.

Right - Charlie Gracie tops the Bill at the Hippodrome - 1957

Charlie, Snr. created quite a stir when the Grade agency booked him on an extensive tour in the late summer and fall of 1957.

Dorothy Squires, your "Bette Davis of song," refused to take second billing to my father at the Hippodrome. Claiming she "never heard of him" and the fact that he was an ambassador of this ''newfangled rock 'n' roll stuff" didn't improve her opinion of him. All this created a big publicity circus for my father and garnered him a wealth of press coverage.

 

 

Charlie Gracie in his dressing room at The Hippodrome posing for British photographers.He was a smash at the Hippodrome and in the provinces. He returned for another extensive tour in the spring of 1958. Ms. Squires later apologized and they met at some other venue. This is such fun stuff to look back on and its one of the million great stories surrounding the Hippodrome, I'm sure.

Right - Charlie Gracie in his dressing room at The Hippodrome posing for British photographers.

My father was riding high in the late 50s with hit recordings like: BUTTERFLY, FABULOUS, NINETY-NINE WAYS, WANDERIN' EYES and I LOVE YOU SO MUCH IT HURTS.

 

Charlie Gracie, his guitar and the "char-ladies" backstage at the Hippodrome: August 1957. He is still an active performer and continues to play in the U.K. where he has a loyal following. He'll be in England and Finland for shows this October and November.

Left - Charlie Gracie, his guitar and the "char-ladies" backstage at the Hippodrome: August 1957.

McCartney, the late G. Harrision, Van Morrision, Cliff Richard and Graham Charlie Gracie with Sir Paul McCartney - 1999Nash have all credited my father's singing/guitar-style as an influence on their own careers.

Sir Paul covered FABULOUS in 1999. Nash duets with my father on his current cd.

Right - Charlie Gracie with Sir Paul McCartney - 1999

Very Sincerely, CHARLIE GRACIE, JNR. 31st May 2003

 

Above - Charlie signing autographs at the Stage Door of the London Hippodrome - 1957

The PBS-television network did a documentary on Charlie Gracie in spring 2006. Click here to see the
2-minute trailer from the film: CHARLIE GRACIE: FABULOUS!

 

May 11th, 2004: Over 2,200 people turned out to pay tribute to Philly's first rock 'n' roll success: CHARLIE GRACIE at the ELECTRIC FACTORY. Charlie's lifetime achievement award from PMA was the main feature of the evening, but the 80's rock band: THE HOOTERS were also award recipients. Dozens of Philly performers and musicians who scored international successes were also present. CHUBBY CHECKER attended purposely to present the award to CHARLIE GRACIE.

Above - Left to Right – Charlie Gracie, Mrs. Gracie, Harvey Holiday DJ of WOGL & Chubby Checker

All Images on this page are Courtesy Charlie Gracie Jnr.

Visit Charlie Gracie's own Website here...

For more information on the London Hippodrome on this site see the main Hippodrome Features Index here...

Please note that in 2008 the Theatre is being renovated externally and plans are being drawn up for its proposed conversion into a Casino, of which full details can be found here...

 

 


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