Demo Tape
Born Charles Wiley, Indiana
Chuck Wiley is one of the genuine mysteries of the original 1950's rock and roll scene. Not even a photograph of him has ever surfaced, despite exhaustive efforts on both sides of the Atlantic to find one. His life story is very sketchy, almost a rock 'n' roll version of Robert Johnson, the great Delta bluesman.
Wiley was the son of a minister, who disowned him for playing the Devil's music. Chuck's rasping voice was just right for the times and that, combined with his hot boogie piano playing, ensured him a very healthy living, mainly playing various Chicago clubs. It's not easy to classify his style, he was clearly absorbing everything that was going on around him. In his NDT review, Chris Woodford writes that at times he sounds like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis and sometimes like something in- between. These are obvious influences, but in his most intense moments he reminds me most of all of Ray Smith, during his 1958 Sun period. On several tracks, especially the slower ones, there are clear New Orleans influences to be heard as well, or let's say Louisiana influences, almost in the swamp pop style.
Wiley auditioned for legendary Nashville music man Murray Nash, who was very impressed with Chuck's strong voice and his writing ability, which again, was right in tune with the times. During the 1957-59 period he recorded some twenty different songs, most of which came from his own pen. Six singles were released, on four different labels : Spangle (2), United Artists (2), Jax and Music Centre. Highlights for me are the frantic "Come Back Baby", "Door To Door", "Tear It Up" (not the Johnny Burnette tune), "I Wanna Dance All Night" and "It's Love". Piano-led rock 'n' roll doesn't get much better than this! However, it's not quite clear to me if Chuck played piano on his own recordings. The Gee Dee booklet (see below) mentions Hargus "Pig" Robbins as the piano player, Wayne Moss as the guitar player and Buddy Harman as the drummer. On some tracks we hear an uncredited sax player.
Chuck was achieving some popularity with his records and he began to be offered tours. Sadly, his career ended almost as soon as it had started. His Chicago bosses, aware of his tremendous popularity in the clubs, didn't want to lose him and were not at all interested in their club favourite being lured away to become a rock 'n' roll star. Chuck, somewhat naively, told his "employers" he was going on tour anyway, when his contract was complete. The day after the contract was completed, Chuck woke up in hospital, having been severely beaten up and left in a back alley. When he recovered, he left the music business completely and retired to perfect obscurity. Nothing remains, no address, no trace, nothing. All that's left is the wonderful music he made.
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4 videos
Chuck Wiley...who knows him?I like to get in touch with him! Please contact me...
jt123egypte 2 years ago
Chuck Wiley is still alive and well. He was not born in Indiana, but in Cattletsburg, Kentucky, on December 24, 1937. He has his own recording studio and intends to record again.
cwp65aar 2 years ago
Great upload! Classic one!
SolidSmokeRockabilly 2 years ago
mmm what a great recording!!
teenbilly 2 years ago