Hong Kong-based beat group Danny Diaz and The Checkmates comprised Filipino brothers Danny Diaz (aged 19), Romeo Diaz (20) and Rudi Diaz (21), and Domingo Tantengco.
They enjoyed a number of local hits with the singlesΒ Wonderful World (1965), a cover version of The Easybeats‘ It’s So EasyΒ (1966) andΒ Up, Up and AwayΒ (1968)
In 1969, the band won a $10,000 recording contract and appearances on radio and television in Britain and the Continent as first prize in Hong Kong’s major Battle of the Sound competition.Β Their first British single, a cover of The Foundations‘ Solomon Grundy, was released in 1969.
Danny Diaz and The Checkmates disbanded in 1982 butΒ Danny continued as a successful solo performer while Romeo became a composer and the musical director for EMI Records in Hong Kong.
Danny Diaz
Vocals, guitar
Romeo Diaz
Bass
Rudi Diaz
Keyboard, guitar, flute
Domingo Tantengco
Drums