Picture the scene on a chilly Saturday evening back in 1959. The local dance hall is packed to the rafters, smelling faintly of Brylcreem, cheap perfume, and polished wooden floors. Outside, the British winter is biting, but inside, teenagers are shedding their coats, eager to cut a rug. Suddenly, an irresistible, infectious rhythm echoes through the room. Couples flood the floor, twisting and turning with absolute abandon. That was the magic woven by Emile Ford and the Checkmates, a sound that completely captured the youthful spirit of post-war Britain.
For six glorious weeks that year, this dynamic ensemble sat proudly at number one on the UK charts with their timeless smash hit, What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?. It was a staggering achievement, a monumental feat that left heavyweights of the era trailing in their wake. Looking back from our modern vantage point, it is easy to forget just how much of a cultural earthquake this record truly was. Families across the nation would crowd around the telly or lean in close to their wireless sets, utterly captivated by the infectious charm and vibrancy of Emile Ford and his band.
Born in the Bahamas before making his way to London via Nottingham, Emile Ford was a pioneering force in British pop history. He was not merely a charismatic frontman with a velvety voice; he was also a brilliant sound engineer and innovator. Long before multi-track recording became standard industry practice, Ford was experimenting with acoustics and sound mixing to achieve that crystal-clear, shimmering brilliance that set the Checkmates apart from every other skiffle and pop act of the late fifties. He understood precisely how to engineer a groove that would make both feet tap and hearts race.
Their legendary residency at the Flamingo Club in Soho became the stuff of local folklore. Every single gig felt like an electric celebration, a place where barriers dissolved and everyone united under the banner of pure, unadulterated rhythm and blues. NME and the music papers of the day could barely get enough of them, charting their every move with breathless excitement. When Emile Ford and the Checkmates took to the stage, the entire room shifted; it was sophisticated yet utterly approachable, slick yet wonderfully heartfelt.
Even now, decades later, hearing that iconic opening bar carries an undeniable emotional weight. It whisks older generations straight back to their youth, conjuring memories of first dates, Sunday afternoon socials, and a simpler time when life felt vast and full of promise. It reminds us of an era when pop music was beginning to find its defiant, colourful voice in a rapidly changing world.
So, the next time you fancy a trip down memory lane, put on the record and let the past wash over you. Drop us a comment below and share your favourite memories of the dance hall days, or tell us which classic British tracks still hold a special place in your heart today.
