About this episode

This episode explores the historical significance of Emile Ford and the Checkmates' hit song that marked the beginning of the 1960s in British music.

The record that started a decade, and made history doing it. The 1960s didn't begin with a fanfare. They began with a carry-over. Emile Ford and the Checkmates had reached number one back in November 1959 with "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For" and when January 1st 1960 arrived, they were still sitting comfortably at the top of the British chart. The new decade started mid-song. There are worse ways to begin. But here's the thing about that chart position that goes well beyond the novelty of a decade boundary. Emile Ford was the first Black British artist ever to reach number one on the UK singles chart. That's not a footnote. That's a headline. Ford had come to Britain from the Bahamas in the mid-1950s, part of the wave of Caribbean immigration that was reshaping the country whether the country was ready for it or not. He studied in London, formed a group with his brothers, and built a sound that was warm, bright, and completely irresistible. The record itself was a cover of a 1917 music hall song, updated for the skiffle age and produced with a lightness that made it feel effortless. Six weeks at number one. A place in history that the British pop world was slow to…

People in this episode

Host: Scott

Topics covered

• music history
• British pop
• Caribbean immigration
• 1960s culture
• number one singles

Keywords

• Emile Ford
• Checkmates
• UK singles chart
• 1960s music
• Caribbean immigration
• pop history
• number one hit

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Emile Ford and the Checkmates

Books & works: What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?

Places: Bahamas, London

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• Episode 043 - The Making Of The Italian Job (1969) · July 10, 2026 · 60 min
• Episode 042 - Seven Inches Of History 004 - Adam Faith - Poor Me · July 8, 2026 · 7 min
• Episode 041 - Seven Inches Of History 003 - Anthony Newley - Why · July 8, 2026 · 8 min
• Episode 040 - Seven Inches Of History 002 - Michael Holliday - Starry Eyed · July 8, 2026 · 8 min
• Episode 018 - The Making Of Cleopatra (1963) · May 19, 2026 · 1h 39m
• Episode 016 - The Hammersmith Nude Murders (1964 - 1965) · May 19, 2026 · 1h 4m

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