Original rock n" roller turns back the clock (From Penarth Times)

Original rock n" roller turns back the clock

ONE of the godfathers of Rock n' Roll made a surprise appearance at a Penarth pub this week.

Charlie Gracie, who topped the American and British music charts in 1957 with his hit Butterfly - selling over three million copies - did a gig at The Windsor in Penarth on Tuesday night.

His other late fifties big sellers included Fabulous, Ninety-Nine Ways, Wanderin' Eyes and I Love You So Much It Hurts.

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 Old Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia.

Charlie was even more popular 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 reviews from the press.