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Imperials (circa 1945-1953, 1964-present)
(by John Crenshaw, edited by and additional info compiled by David Bruce Murray)

Marion Snider first used the name “Imperial Quartet” in the 1940s. Snider’s group quickly attracted the ears of a radio sponsor: The Imperial Sugar Company. The new quartet became the Imperial Sugar Quartet, and began a long association with the Texas Quality Radio Network.

The Imperial Sugar Quartet was popular for nearly a decade as they performed both on the airwaves and concert stage throughout Texas and surrounding areas. The name "Marion Snider and the Imperial Sugar Quartet" was retired in the early 1950s. Snider was later inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame.

Jake Hess Begins A Legacy
In the 1960s, Jake Hess wanted a quartet that would enter the field of gospel music at the very top of the game. Hess retired from the Statesmen Quartet on December 7, 1963 to put all of his efforts into this all-star quartet. He contacted Marion Snider and requested permission to use the name "Imperials". After receiving Snider's blessings, "Jake Hess and the Imperials" was born.

Hess and former Weatherford Quartet pianist Henry Slaughter chose Sherrill Nielsen (tenor), Gary McSpadden (baritone), and Armond Morales (bass) to complete the new group. At the time, all of the members were active in other major gospel quartets.

Struggles and Successes
The Imperials released five recordings simultaneously to coincide with their debut. They soon began their own newspaper, "The Imperial Times", to herald their arrival on the gospel music scene. Some groups didn't want to appear on programs with the Imperials though. They didn’t appreciate the way the group was formed. In his book Nothin' But Fine, Hess details their struggles on the gospel music circuit because of their unusual formation.

Influential promoters finally accepted the Imperials, though, and they began to break down musical barriers in the 1960's much as the Statesmen had done in the 1950's. In keeping with their trend-setting ways, the Imperials were soon hired to sing backup for Elvis Presley. The classic Presley recording His Hand in Mine prominently features the Imperials.

New Singers
By 1967, Nielsen, Slaughter, Hess, and McSpadden had departed for various reasons. Jim Murray had replaced Nielsen at tenor in 1966, Joe Moscheo took over keyboard duties, and Terry Blackwood and Roger Wiles moved into the lead and baritone positions. Recordings such as New Dimensions, The Imperials NOW, and Love is the Thing put the Imperials back on top in the gospel music industry.

Roger Wiles left the group in 1970 and was replaced by Greg Gordon, a son of Anna and Howard Gordon of Chuck Wagon Gang fame. During this time, the Imperials began to record music that was outside the gospel music realm. Popular songs such as "Bridge Over Troubled Waters", "Let it Be", "My Sweet Lord", and "A Thing Called Love" became part of their repertoire. In 1972, the Imperials began to stage a pop medley from their album Time to Get it Together. At this time, they became one of the first groups to perform in concert with recorded music tracks complimented by Moscheo's piano.

Trendsetting Moves
Gordon's tenure with the group was short-lived. In February 1972, the Imperials shocked the conservative world of gospel music when they became the first interracial quartet in gospel music. Sherman Andrus, a former member of Andrae Crouch and the Disciples was brought in to replace Greg Gordon. They soon hired a band, Solid Rock, to accompany them in their live appearances.

In the mid 1970's, Terry Blackwood and Sherman Andrus left the Imperials to form the contemporary Christian group Andrus, Blackwood and Company. David Will and Russ Taff replaced them, and the Imperials music took on a definite contemporary edge, with one notable exception in 1979. Their novelty song “Oh Buddha” hit the top of the Southern Gospel charts and remained there for seven months.

The 1980s saw the Imperials set the standards for vocal music in the growing Christian pop market. Several former Imperials members such as David Robertson, Russ Taff, and Jonathan Pierce went on to enjoy success as solo artists. Interestingly, a number of former Imperials later pulled stints with the Gaither Vocal Band. These include Gary McSpadden, Russ Taff, Jim Murray, and Jonathan Pierce.

After 39 years traveling with the Imperials, Armond Morales retired in 2003. At that time, he passed the torch to his son Jason Morales, who continues the Imperials legacy with tenor Jeremie Hudson, bass Ian Owens, and Shannon Smith singing lead. ---JC/DBM

See also: Discography, Members

Labels: biography

posted by David Bruce Murray @ 2:49:00 PM