Emile Ford
(1937-2016), Musician and singerSitter in 3 portraits
Born in Saint Lucia, Emile Ford won his recording contract with Pye at a talent contest in July 1959. With his backing group, The Checkmates who included his brother George, Ford’s self-produced debut single 'What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes at Me For?' was the first No. 1 single of 1960, having reached number one in December 1959. Emile Ford and The Checkmates went on to have a further two Top 10 hits in 1960 with 'On a Slow Boat to China' and 'Counting Teardrops'.
by Bill Francis
modern matte bromide print, early 1960s
NPG x135730
published by Francis, Day & Hunter, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published circa 1959
NPG D48401
Sheet music cover for 'On a Slow Boat to China' by Emile Ford and the Checkmates
published by Edwin H. Morris & Co Ltd, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published 1960
NPG D48402
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
great-british
17 March 2017, 16:40
The three Checkmates were: bassist George Sweetnam-Ford (1940-), electric lead guitarist Ken Street (1942-) and drummer John Cuffley (1939-).