Sonny Charles & the Checkmates were an American R&B vocal group that came to prominence in the late 1960s. They were known for their soulful sound and tight harmonies, with lead vocals by Sonny Charles, whose emotive singing style was a defining feature of the group. Their most significant hit, "Black Pearl", produced by Phil Spector, reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. Despite their limited discography, the band's influence was felt in the realm of soul and pop music, and Charles later found success as a solo artist.