Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 50s
Despite notching a series of hits between the early 1950s and early 1960s, the Chosen Gospel Singers remain one of the most elusive groups of gospel's golden era -- plagued by constant lineup changes, the ensemble's proper history remains sketchy at best, and even the exact involvement of their most famous alumnus, Lou Rawls, is something of a... [+] Read More
Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Affectionately known as "the World's Greatest Storyteller," Dorothy Norwood has used her soulful vocals and uplifting delivery to rise to the upper echelon of modern gospel music. Five of her albums have achieved gold status, while, she's garnered six Grammy nominations and three Stellar Award nominations.
Norwood has been singing...
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Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s
Pioneer Virginia gospel/pop quartet of the '30s and '40s. Calling their innovative approach to sacred hymns "jubilee" singing, the Golden Gate Quartet, propelled by Willie Johnson and William Langford, enjoyed massive acceptance far outside the church. Their smooth Mills Brothers-influenced harmonies made the Gates naturals for pop crossover... [+] Read More
Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s
Since the early '50s, the Pilgrim Jubilee Singers have used their hard, rockin' gospel music as a powerful means of testifying their faith, love, and charitable hope that humanity will find a way to bring itself closer to the kingdom of heaven. Over its long history, the group has undergone numerous personnel changes. The first incarnation... [+] Read More
Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s
The Specialty label's most prolific gospel act, the Pilgrim Travelers were among the most successful and influential groups of gospel's golden era; famed for their distinctive "walking rhythm" sound, they also earned renown for their riotous live perfomances and breathless showmanship. The Pilgrim Travelers were formed in Houston during the... [+] Read More
Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 50s, 60s, 80s, 90s
During the 1940s, the Fairfield Four were among the top-ranked gospel quartets, along with the Dixie Hummingbirds, Five Blind Boys, and Soul Stirrers. Originally a gospel duet created in the early '20s by the pastor of Fairfield Baptist Church in Nashville to occupy his sons, Harry and Rufus Carrethers, they became a gospel trio with the... [+] Read More
Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi are among the greatest singing groups in popular music history. Their smashing harmonies and the leads of Archie Brownlee not only influenced numerous gospel ensembles, but such secular artists as Ray Charles. Their origins date back to the '30s, when Archie Brownlee (Brownley in some accounts), Joseph Ford,... [+] Read More
Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 40s, 50s, 60s
One of the top gospel quartets of the postwar era, the Harmonizing Four was also a relative anomaly of the period; as their contemporaries raced to modernize their sound, rejecting the traditional jubilee style in favor of the intensity of the burgeoning "hard gospel" movement, the Four remained true to their roots, focusing instead on the... [+] Read More
Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Contemporary gospel's preeminent group, the Mighty Clouds of Joy carried the torch for the traditional quartet vocal style throughout an era dominated by solo acts and choirs; pioneering a distinctively funky sound which over time gained grudging acceptance even among purists, they pushed spiritual music in new and unexpected directions, even... [+] Read More
Genre: Gospel/ Spiritual
Decades Active: 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s
The Swan Silvertones are a premier gospel group and one of the great music experiences awaiting anyone who has never heard them. If you are not a fan of gospel music or "religious" music of any kind, don't let that fact deter you from having this unique listening experience. This is pure music at the highest level.
The a cappella...
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