Fans, friends and colleagues pay tribute to the late, great Charlie Gracie, rock ‘n’ roll pioneer [tribute video]

GLEN MILLS — As soon as word began spreading about rock ‘n’ roll legend Charlie Gracie’s death on Dec. 16, condolences began pouring in from around the world for the Gracie family: Charlie’s wife, Joan; son, Charlie Gracie Jr.; and daughter, Angela, all residents of Delaware County.

In addition to heartfelt messages of sympathy from Charlie Gracie’s thousands of friends, musical peers and fans in the Philadelphia area, cards, notes, flowers and food poured in from around the country and overseas, including sympathetic video messages from Paul McCartney, Graham Nash, Van Morrison and a host of other celebrities who called Charlie Gracie their friend and inspiration.

Six months later, the posthumous tributes and recognitions of the late entertainer haven’t slowed down, as fans, friends and colleagues continue to come to grips with losing a beloved superstar, who, according to all who knew him, was not only an extremely talented entertainer, but a humble, genuinely nice person.

Charlie touched countless fans with his 71-year music career, as well as his friendliness and his kindness to all he encountered.

As only a young man, Charlie Gracie’s smash hits, “Butterfly” and “Fabulous” shot him into superstardom, with tours in the U.S. and overseas. He continued to perform, throughout his life, for fans locally and around the world. (COURTESY PHOTO) Charlie’s story

Charles Anthony Graci was born in 1936 in South Philly.

His father bought him his first guitar in a pawn shop on South Street when he was just a young boy.

Showing talent almost as soon as his fingers hit the strings, Gracie was only 16 years old, a student at South Philadelphia High School, when his musical career took off.

He was one musician who could boast that he never had a day job. Gracie was 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.

Young Gracie recorded the single, “Boogie Woogie Blues,” backed with “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter.” The record led to Gracie’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, Gracie moved on to 20th Century Records where he put out another four sides.

The discs that he made embraced a variety of styles, including 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.

A young Charlie Gracie, South Philadelphia Class of 1952, hit instant stardom with his hits “Butterfly” and “Fabulous.” He proved to be talented, almost from the moment he put his first guitar in his hands at about age 10. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Gracie, not only blew the socks off of everyone whenever he performed, locally and nationally, but he was a 1950s rock ‘n’ roll pioneer. Gracie had his first smash hit, “Butterfly,” in 1957, topping both the American and British charts, selling over 3 million copies.

His other late ’50s 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, making it a dominant force in the music industry for nearly a decade.

The records’ successes also led to appearances on “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand,” “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and other shows at some of the largest venues in America and abroad.

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. Gracie also starred with Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis in a classic Warner Brother’s movie musical: “Jamboree!”

Former Beatle Paul McCartney with Joan and Charlie Gracie. McCartney says he was inspired by the late Charlie Gracie, who took Great Britain by storm in the 1950s and ’60s. Gracie toured the country for decades because he had a huge fan base there. McCartney sent Gracie birthday messages and a video condolence message to the Gracie family after the performer passed away in December. (COURTESY PHOTO)

In 1957, following “Butterfly,” Gracie set off to tour Great Britain. Preceded only by Bill Haley and the Comets, Gracie became the second American rock ‘n’ roller to tour Great Britain, where his star burned even brighter than in the U.S. To this day Gracie is household name in the United Kingdom.

Charlie Gracie Jr., left, and Joan Gracie present the late Charlie Gracie’s favorite guitar, a Guild X-350 Stratford, to Greg Harris, CEO and president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. The guitar, which the elder Gracie played on stage for decades, is now a part of an exhibit at the museum, which will be open for viewing for, at least, the next few years. (COURTESY PHOTO) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

To capture his lifetime career in music, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland invited the Gracie family to honor Charlie with a special exhibit.

In March, Charlie Jr. accompanied his mother Joan on a trip to the museum to meet with Greg Harris, its president and CEO, and present him with Charlie’s guitar, a Guild X-350 Stratford, to display in the new exhibition.

Gracie’s Guild guitar, which accompanied him to concert appearances in more than 15 countries around the world, is the centerpiece for the exhibit titled “Rave On,” named after the Buddy Holly song.

Prior to its arrival at the museum, the special guitar was blessed by the Rev. Matthew Phelan, USA vicar of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy and a close Gracie family friend, who administered the last sacraments to Charlie before his passing on Dec. 16 and celebrated Gracie’s funeral Mass.

During an emotional presentation at the museum, Charlie Jr. kissed his father’s legendary 1957 Guild guitar temporarily “goodbye,” as the museum president comforted Joan Gracie as she wiped away tears.

Other artifacts that were placed in the exhibit include Gracie’s suit, photos of the marquees from Gracie’s headlining appearances at the London Hippodrome and Alan Freed Shows at Paramount Theatre in New York City, original Charlie Gracie Fan Club buttons from the late 1950s and an original Charlie Gracie extended play single with picture sleeve.

“Charlie Gracie’s influence was massive, extending from his hometown of Philadelphia, Pa., to around the globe,” Harris said. “Charlie was as authentic as it gets and you can see why Paul McCartney, Graham Nash, Van Morrison and many of the early rockers loved him so much.”

The exhibit celebrates all the great foundational artists of rock music from the 1950s on up. It features Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Ricky Nelson, The Everly Brothers, Dion, Ritchie Valens, Fats Domino and more. The exhibit opened shortly before Charlie Gracie’s birthday on May 14, when the legendary guitarist would have turned 87 years old.

In 1957, following the overwhelming success of his pop-rock hit “Butterfly,” Charlie Gracie bought a pair of Guild X-350 archtop guitars, a blonde one and a sunburst one, and remained associated with the instruments for the rest of his career. His favorite Guild guitar is the centerpiece of an exhibit highlighting his musical career at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. (COURTESY PHOTO)

The exhibit will run for up for three years.

The Gracie family has the option to renew for another three years or to turn it into a permanent exhibit, which Charlie Jr. says is “most likely” what they will do so that fans from around the world can have an opportunity to view the magical guitar that father played to entertain millions of fans for over seven decades.

“The Charlie Gracie exhibit is now officially on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” said son Charlie Gracie Jr. in a recent interview. “The ‘Early Years’ exhibit is next to Little Richard and Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Buddy Holly. All the guys that my father toured with are now reunited!”

The exhibit at the Cleveland museum wasn’t Charlie’s first appearance in a hall of fame.

He was voted onto the Philadelphia Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts in 2008. He also was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the South Philadelphia Alumni Cultural Hall of Fame.

Charlie, who had played around the world, gathering throngs of fans and followers, and garnering award after award, was also voted into Great Britain’s Hall of Fame in 1998.

He made impressions

Gracie was not only one of Philadelphia’s first rock ‘n’ roll stars, he was also one of the first international rock ‘n’ roll stars.

Gracie headlined the London Hippodrome in August 1957, receiving an outstanding reception from the press and the public. The entertainer was the final headliner at the famed venue before it closed and was converted into a cabaret and supper club.

In 1983, the Hippodrome reverted back to its original name and it operates today as a casino and entertainment venue.

“When we were starting out with the Beatles,” said Paul McCartney, “the music coming over from America was magical to us, and one of the artists who epitomized this magic was Charlie Gracie.”

Twice annually, Gracie performed to large audiences in England, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Finland and Holland. The late Beatle George Harrison referred to Charlie’s guitar technique as “brilliant” in a March 1996 interview with Billboard magazine.

The new millennium found Charlie on the road with blues rocker Van Morrison. Another Charlie Gracie admirer, Morrison commissioned Gracie to open several shows on a West Coast tour, which included the Wiltern in Los Angeles, the House of Blues in Las Vegas and the Hilton in Reno.

In 2007, Gracie was the subject of the made for PBS 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.

In 2011, ABKCO Records released Gracie’s latest CD, “For The Love of Charlie,” produced by Al Kooper, who has recorded and produced the likes of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.

Some of the artists who performed with Gracie on the CD are Graham Nash; Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits; Jimmy Vivino, guitarist and music director for the Conan O’Brien Show, Craig Ross; keyboardist for Lenny Kravitz; and Dennis Diken, drummer for the Smithereens.

“What an honor to have these people on my album,” Gracie said at the time. “They don’t need Charlie Gracie, but they love what I put down as a foundation years ago, and I’m humbled that these artists would want to perform with me.”

Gracie continued to record from the 1960s through the 2000s. In early 2012, Charlie was back on the national charts with a new hit single, “Baby Doll,” produced by Gary Lefkowith.

A loyal audience

The well-loved musician also continued to perform and entertain crowds well into his 80s.

The entertainer enjoyed a strong following at clubs and resorts along the Northeast Corridor into his 70s and 80s. His name alone was always a draw, because fans knew it meant a good show.

Every summer, he entertained at the Delaware County Summer Festival in Rose Tree Park and the Goshen Country Fair in West Chester, among  other venues around the Delaware County and Philadelphia area, where he and Joan and their children made their home, first in Philadelphia and then Drexel Hill and Springfield, before moving recently to Glen Mills.

His family said that he was never too busy to take the time and talk with fans whenever they stopped him to take a photo or ask a question about his career, whether at a performance or in the supermarket.

“He was always grateful for his fans,” Charlie Jr. said.

Joan Gracie, Charlie’s wife for almost 65 years, was at her husband’s side throughout his successful musical career. (COURTESY PHOTO) Family and friends

With all of his fame and success, Gracie received the most satisfaction from having a close family, who will keep his legacy alive. The famed entertainer was ready to celebrate 65 years with his wife Joan.

“Joan and I are inseparable — and we are grateful to God, who has blessed us with many years,” Gracie once said. “He owes us nothing! What’s more, we’ve been blessed with two great kids — our son and daughter and a daughter-in-law — plus so many of you who are very much a part of our family. We love you all very much! Fame and enjoying some level of success is great, but it all rings hollow if you have nothing to come home to. This is the greatest success, and I wouldn’t trade that for all the fame in the world, and Joan is the biggest part of that. Thanks to so many of you for being part of the journey!”

In 2012, Gracie was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame.

In May, the Broadcast Pioneers honored the beloved rock star again, this time posthumously, with the Tribute to Charlie Gracie luncheon at McCall’s Golf Club in Upper Darby. The event was hosted by legendary TV and radio personality Bob Charger, who said, “My good friend Charlie Gracie was a man who was given tremendous talent, and he acted upon it.”

Attended by Gracie’s widow and son and longtime friends and colleagues, guests viewed film clips of Gracie’s career highlights and heard from panelists that included Al “Caesar” Berry, an original member of The Tymes, a million-selling vocal group from the 1960s on the Cameo-Parkway Label; Val Shively, internationally known proprietor of Val Shively’s R&B Records, housing 4 million recordings at his store on Garrett Road in Upper Darby; Lou Costello, veteran Delaware Valley radio host and concert emcee heard daily on Cruise 92.1 WVLT in South Jersey; and Shawn Swords, Delaware County resident and producer/director of American Veteran Productions and Character Driven Productions. Swords produced the “Charlie Gracie: Fabulous” documentary.

Friends, family, fans, fellow musicians and others in the music industry, gather at a recent Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia luncheon at McCall’s Golf Club in Upper Darby to pay tribute to the late Charlie Gracie. (PEG DEGRASSA – DAILY TIMES)

His colleagues said, over and over, that Charlie Gracie was a true gentleman, and credit to the music industry, on and off the stage.

“Charlie Gracie was one of the most talented and the nicest gentleman I have ever met,” Berry, a recent inductee himself on the Philadelphia Walk of Fame, commented. “We traveled a lovely road together.

Costello, a longtime friend who inducted Gracie into the East Coast Music Hall of Fame in 2019 at the Wildwoods Convention Center, smiled and said, in addition to being a first-class musician, “Charlie told wonderful stories and always made me feel like I was part of the Gracie family.”

With heartfelt gratitude, Joan Gracie and her son Charlie Jr. emotionally thank all of those gathered at the recent tribute to the late Charlie Gracie luncheon, hosted by Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, in May. (PEG DEGRASSA – DAILY TIMES)

Shively agreed. “Charlie was a great entertainer, but he was also a spiritual guy and a family guy,” Shively stated. “He’d always say, ‘I’ve got a great story for you,’ whenever I was with him. One thing about Charlie is he always had time for his fans and was always appreciative of them.”

Swords said Gracie was like a surrogate father to him in many ways. The filmmaker is currently working on a sequel to his “Charlie Gracie: Fabulous” documentary, entitled “Fabulous Forever,” which will premiere in September.

“I savored every moment that I was in Charlie’s company,” Swords said. “He was a true talent and just a remarkable person. Most people in the music industry are not so humble, but Charlie was both humble and kind. He was nonjudgmental and accepted everyone for who they were — he was just a great person and I don’t think there’s a person around who didn’t like him.”

A free, special tribute event to the late Charlie Gracie, a longtime Delaware County resident known around the world for his talent, will be held at the Media Theatre on June 23. (COURTESY PHOTO)

The journey of tributes for beloved international superstar Charlie Gracie will continue later this month, with a memorial tribute planned for Friday, June 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Media Theater, 104 E. State St., Media. The event, “Forever Fabulous,” will feature video tributes, spoken tributes, a musical jam and more.

Admission is free. Fans can reserve tickets on a first-come, first-served basis by calling 610-724-7319.

“The knowledge of the love and affection in which our father was held by so many has brought our family great comfort,” said Charlie Gracie Jr. “For 71-years, he was privileged to record and perform all over the world, making people happy through his music. He loved, cared for, and appreciated all of them. His music brought us all together, near and far. Our father didn’t have fans, he had friends!”

An emotional Charlie Gracie Jr. kisses his late father’s favorite guitar good-bye before it is encased in an exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. Mom Joan Gracie gets a comforting hug from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame CEO and President Greg Harris. (COURTESY PHOTO) Few things made the late Charlie Gracie happier than performing for his fans, above, or being with friends and family. The world-famous singer always stayed true to his roots and put family and friends first. (COURTESY PHOTO) Joan Gracie poses in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, where her late husband Charlie Gracie’s guitar and other personal artifacts are included in an exhibit. (COURTESY PHOTO) The two Charlies: Charlie Gracie Jr. of Glen Mills became the promoter and manager of his father, Charlie Gracie’s musical career. (COURTESY PHOTO)