In the African American Carver Street neighborhood of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, music at Charlie’s Place brought people together during Segregation. The owner, Charlie Fitzgerald, welcomed White and African American customers alike. Famous artists such as Cab Calloway, Fats Domino, Lena Horne, and Little Richard regularly performed there. Unfortunately, on one summer evening in 1950, tragedy struck when the Ku Klux Klan attacked the club, and Charlie Fitzgerald was beaten in the process.
This is the story of Charlie’s Place.
Video
The founding and early years of Charlie's Place - a jazz club where white and African American patrons alike were welcome during segregation.
Video
After World War II, there was an ever increasing popularity for the musical movement known as "Rhythm and Blues." Rhythm and Blues, along with a new invention called the Jukebox, transformed the music...
Video
Racial tensions in South Carolina strained with the rise of the "Dixiecrat" political party. One summer evening in 1950, Ku Klux Klan members shot up Charlie's Place, and Charlie Fitzgerald was beaten...
Video
Today, Charlie's Place is long gone. The City of Myrtle Beach purchased the Charlie's Place property in 2015, with the goals of renovating the area, and transforming it into a revitalized...
Document
In the African American Carver Street neighborhood of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, music at Charlie’s Place brought people together during Segregation. The owner, Charlie Fitzgerald, welcomed White...
