Richie Knight & The Mid-Knights were a small-time rock and roll combo who formed in the late 50s and cut their teeth on the dance hall circuit in Toronto around the same time that Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks (later known as The Band) were making their mark. Their great cover of L.A.’s The Seville’s classic “Charlena” is pushed over the top by the addition of of a honking saxophone part. The record rose to the #1 position on Toronto’s CHUM chart in 1963, went platinum up North and was a mainstay of oldies radio in Canada when I was a kid; a personal favorite I’d forgotten about until I rediscovered it in a box of dusty 45s that were traded in over here a month ago.
Here’s the fun part… the records in question belonged to Los Angeles doo wop legend Manuel Chavez, former member of The Jaguars & The Sevilles… and the writer of this song. Also in the collection… tons of obscure East L.A. rock ‘n’ roll, soul, surf & garage 45s; acetates, reel to reel studio tapes & paperwork, including the original charts for “Charlena”!
Labels Of Music Johan 66.
Speedo.