Charles Nicks

Charles Hercules Nicks, Jr. (July 18, 1941 – July 28, 1988) was an American gospel musician and former pastor, organist, and accompanist of St. James Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Rev. Nicks released his first musical project in 1985, Come Unto Jesus with Sound of Gospel. He would release some albums while he was still alive, and others posthumously that would chart on the Billboard magazine Gospel Albums chart. Those all got released by Sound of Gospel, which were the following: Free Spirit, Free Spirit Vol 2, St. Louis & East St. Louis Chapter of GMWA, and The Unforgettable Years.

Charles Nicks
Birth nameCharles Hercules Nicks
Also known asRev. Charles H. Nicks, Jr.
Born(1941-07-18)July 18, 1941
Lincoln, Nebraska
DiedJuly 28, 1988(1988-07-28) (aged 47)
Detroit, Michigan
GenresGospel, traditional black gospel
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentsVocals, singer-songwriter
Years active1985–1993
LabelsSound of Gospel
Associated actsThe St. James Adult Choir

Early life

Nicks was born on July 18, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Rev. Charles Hercules Nicks, Sr., a Baptist preacher, and Alliece Mahala Nicks (née, West), a pianist, which they named him after his father.[1][2][3] His mother was his greatest musical influence early on, which gave him the impetus to learn to play the organ, and this he did aggressively and assertively.[2] He would become the organist of his father church at the age of 16. Rev. Charles H. Nicks, Jr. became pastor of St. James Missionary Baptist Church from 1972 to 1988.[1][2]

Personal life

Nicks was married to Lucille (née, Monroe),[4] at the time of his death from Congestive Heart Failure in Detroit's Sinai – Grace Hospital.[1] Nicks had a sister, Beverley Nicks, who is of Los Angeles, California.[4]

Music career

His music career started in 1985, with the release of Come Unto Jesus by Sound of Gospel,[5] and this charted at No. 9 on the Billboard magazine Top Gospel Albums chart.[6] He would release four more albums to chart on that very exact same chart, some while he was alive, yet others were released posthumously. The albums charted were the following: 1986's Free Spirit at No. 6, 1988's Free Spirit Vol 2 at No. 3, St. Louis & East St. Louis Chapter of GMWA in 1989 at No. 22, and The Unforgettable Years in 1993 at No. 22.[6]

Discography
List of selected studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions[6]
US
Gos
Come Unto Jesus 9
Free Spirit
  • Released: 1986
  • Label: Sound of Gospel
  • CD, digital download
 6
Free Spirit Vol 2 3
St. Louis & East St. Louis Chapter of GMWA
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Sound of Gospel
  • CD, digital download
 22
The Unforgettable Years
  • Released: 1993
  • Label: Sound of Gospel
  • CD, digital download
 22

References
  1. Curtis Jackson (February 12, 2010). "Rev. Charles H. Nicks, Jr". Find a Grave Memorial. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  2. Carpenter, Bil (2005). "Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia": 311. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "Songwriter/Composer: NICKS CHARLES HERCULES JR". Broadcast Music, Inc. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  4. "Rev. Charles H. Nicks, Jr". Facebook. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  5. AllMusic. "Charles Nicks : Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  6. Billboard. "Charles Nicks : Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
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