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Jimmy Charles (born 1942) is an American singer with a distinctive "crying style". He was born in Paterson, New Jersey and before he sang professionally, he performed at churches and community functions. When Charles was 12 years old, he began to study singing with jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott. At 16, he entered the amateur talent shows held at the Apollo Theater in New York City and won the contest for four consecutive weeks. Phil Medley, a songwriter, soon became involved in Charles' career. Impressed by his ability, Medley recorded a demo with Charles singing "A Million to One", written by Medley. After playing it for Bill Lashley, an executive at Promo Records, the label signed Charles to a recording contract. He re-recorded Medley's song with vocal backing by the Revellettes, a trio of sisters Jackie and Evelyn Kline, and Dottie Hailstock, whom Charles knew from Patterson. After 16 takes, the master was chosen. The ballad-style song reached number five on Billboard's Top 100 in September 1960. It was also released on the London label in both the UK and Australia, and it was issued by Reo in Canada. "The Age of Love", Charles' next single, only reached number 47, well below "A Million to One". He also released two Christmas records in 1960: "Santa Won't Be Blue This Christmas" backed with "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was the first; the second was "Christmasville USA" and "A Little White Mouse Called Steve". The latter received some airplay, but did not become a national chart hit. A subsequent release called "Just Whistle for Me" failed to attract much attention or airplay either, and his recording career came to an end. However, Charles continued to tour on the strength of "A Million to One" in the 1960s. Today, he resides in Texas, where he occasionally sings.
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Albums by Jimmy CharlesSort:By AlbumA - Z
The Sock Hop Collection [2017]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
Decade of Hits: The 60's [2014]
Song | Duration |
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A Million to One |
Famous Hits by Jimmy Charles [2014]
Song | Duration |
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A Million to One | 2:34 |
50 Rockin' Hits, Vol. 11 [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:28 |
American Heartbeat 1960 [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million To One | 2:32 |
Essential Doo Wop, Vol. 4: 100 Essential Doo Wop Tracks [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:26 |
Golden Oldies Hit Series, Vol. 7 [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:28 |
The History of Doo Wop, Vol. 19: 50 Unforgettable Doo Wop Tracks [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:26 |
America's Greatest Hits, Vol. 11: 1960 [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million To One | 2:34 |
Oldies Hits A To Z, Vol. 15 [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:28 |
Oldies Hits A to Z, Vol. 6 [2012]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:28 |
Hit Parade 1960 [2011]
Song | Duration |
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A Million to One | 2:31 |
A Million to One [2009]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
Doo Wop All Stars [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 3:11 |
It All Started With Doo Wop: The Closer You Are [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million To One | 2:33 |
Blowing the Fuse: 31 R&B Classics That Rocked the Jukebox in 1960 [2006]
Song | Duration |
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A Million to One | 2:30 |
DooWop Jukebox [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million To One | 2:26 |
Doo Wop: Vocal Group Greats [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:30 |
Doo-Wop Forever [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Million to One | 2:31 |
A Million to One | 2:31 |
Soul Selections [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
Groovy Sixties, Vol. 2 [Box Set] [2004]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One |
Rock & Roll: The First 50 Years - The Early 60's [2004]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
Doo-Wop Archives [2003]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
History of Rock Box [2003]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 3:21 |
Midnight Soul [Madacy] [2003]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:32 |
A Year in Your Life: 1960's, Vol. 2 [2001]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:29 |
Midnight Soul [Madacy Disc 3] [2000]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:32 |
The Ultimate Rock 'n Roll Time Capsule, Vol. 3 [2000]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One |
Boys of Rock 60's, Vol. 1 [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:29 |
The 60's Ultimate Collection, Vol. 2 [Box Set] [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One |
Memories Are Still Made of Hits, Vol. 1 [1997]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:28 |
Unforgettable: Gold for the Road [1994]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One |
For Lovers Only: WCBS New York, Vol. 2 [1993]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:33 |
History of Rock: For Lovers Only, Vol. 2 [1993]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:33 |
The Golden Age of American Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 2 [1993]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:32 |
70 Ounces of Gold: Pure Gold [1992]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
AM Gold: The Early '60s [1992]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:32 |
The Rock 'N' Roll Era: Lost Treasures [1992]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
History of Rock: The 60's, Pt. 3 - WCBS FM 101 [1990]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:32 |
History of Rock: The 60s, Pt. 3 [1990]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:32 |
Top Pop Rock Vocalists [1990]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
Super Oldies of the 60's, Vol. 3 [1986]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One |
Original Gold-44 Hits [1975]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One |
Huggie Boy's Rare R&B Oldies!, Vol. 5
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million to One | 2:31 |
It All Started with Doo Wop
Song | Duration |
---|---|
The Million To One | 2:33 |
Unknown Album
Song | Duration |
---|---|
A Million To One | 2:26 |
They Grow Up Too Fast |
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