Charlie Gracie was a pioneer of rock 'n' roll and the first star of that era to emerge from the Italian-American community of Philadelphia, to be followed later by Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Freddy Cannon and Bobby Rydell.

He started making records in an R&B and rockabilly style as early as 1952, recording a song called ''Rockin' And Rollin''' before the term gained universal currency. After signing to Cameo Records in 1956, he had his landmark breakthrough hits with the US No. 1 ''Butterfly'' and No. 8 ''Fabulous'' plus the UK No. 6 ''Wanderin' Eyes''.

This 42-track 2-CD set comprises his A and B sides from his early career on the Cadillac and Twentieth Century labels, and his subsequent releases on the Cameo, Coral, Roulette, Felsted and President labels. Also included as bonus tracks are live performances from US and UK TV shows and from the movie ''Jamboree''. It naturally includes all his career chart hits. It's a comprehensive overview of his recordings during the key era of his career. Still performing in his early '80s, he remains one of the artists who were in the chart vanguard of the rock 'n' roll era.

Charlie Gracie - Collection 1953-1962