 Alfredo
Arnold Cocozza, Mario Lanza, was born January 31, 1921 in Philadelphia,
Penna. He was a tenor and Hollywood movie star who enjoyed success
in the late 1940s and 1950s. His voice was considered to rival
that of Enrico Caruso, whom Lanza portrayed in the 1951 film
"The Great Caruso". Lanza could sing in all styles.
He died from a pulmonary embolism October 7, 1959 at the very
young age of 40. |
 W.J.
"Jake" Hess was born December 24, 1927, in Limestone
County, Alabama. He started his musical career at the age of five
with the Hess Brothers Quartet. Later he sang with the Haleyville
Melody Boys, John Daniel Quartet, Melody Masters Quartet, and
was an original member of the Statesmen Quartet as lead singer.
In 1964 he formed the Imperials Quartet and was a leader in southern
gospel music publishing and television pro-graming. The winner
of three Grammy Awards for solo albums and one Dove Award, Jake
later sang with the Masters V and won won a Grammy with this group
for their first album in 1982 .He and his wife, Joyce, resided
in Brentwood, Tennessee, up until his death in 2004. (source: Gospel Musice Hall of Fame) http://www.sgmusicforum.com/jake.htm
 Mahalia
was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1911. She was able
to come above a young life filled with poverty, prejudice
and heartache because of her steadfast determination and
sense of humor. Her natural singing ability took her even
higher toward world acclaim. From Carnegie Hall to all the
major concert stages of America, Mahalia broke all attendance
records. Mahalia had only one singing lesson. She was deeply
respected by the greats in music, including by Elvis Presley.
She was chosen to sing at the inaugural celebrations for
President Kennedy, and of all her dearest dreams, to be
walking and performing in Jerusalem was that dream come
true. Mahalia passed away in 1972. (source: Gospel Music
Hall of Fame)http://www.mahaliajackson.com/
 The
group formed in 1948 in Springfield, Missouri, with
members Bill Matthews (first tenor), Bob Hubbard (second
tenor/lead), Bill's brother Monty Matthews (baritone),
Culley Holt (bass), and pianist Bob Money. After three
years, Money was replaced by new pianist Gordon Stoker.
This lineup lasted until 1952; at that time, Bob Hubbard
was drafted and was replaced by Hoyt Hawkins. Later
that year, Monty and Bill Matthews left. Hawkins switched
to baritone, and new lead Neal Matthews, Jr. was recruited.
Don Bruce came in as a new first tenor; however, he
was drafted the next year. The group narrowed to a quartet,
with Stoker taking over as first tenor.
The lineup changed again in 1954, with Cully Holt leaving and new bass Hugh Jarrett (later a disc jockey) coming in. Jarrett remained until 1958; at that time, he was replaced by Ray Walker. This lineup, consisting of Gordon Stoker, first tenor and manager, Neal Matthews, Jr., second tenor and lead, Hoyt Hawkins, baritone, and Ray Walker, bass, would be the group's most stable lineup, lasting throughout the 1960s and 70s. The group changed again in 1982, when Hoyt Hawkins died. His replacement was Duane West, formerly of Sonny James' backup group, the Southern Gentlemen. The lineup remained constant for another two decades, with West leaving due to illness in 1999 (he died in 2002). His replacement was Louis Nunley. Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young. Hugh Jarrett died at 78 on May 31,
2008, from injuries sustained in an auto accident
in March.(Source: wikipedia and the Gospel Music Hall
of Fame)
The
Legendary singer was none other than AL JOLSON
who starred in the very first ever talking picture!
Singer of songs such as "Mammy," "Sonny
Boy," and "Toot, Toot Tootsie," Jolson's
powerful rendition of "Are you lonesome tonight"
haunted Elvis until, finally, he did his own take on
it, in almost the same fashion as Jolie.Being the humanitarian that he was, Elvis was certain to have noted the number of charitable organizations and philanthropic deeds attended to by Jolie during his career, not to mention his continued support for veterans and entertaining of the troops up until his death in 1950. If there was ever an entertainer befitting the role model personna that Elvis based his better public nature upon, it was Al Jolson. For more information on Al Jolson, go to: http://www.jolson.org/
|
John
Daniel Sumner was born in 1924 at Lakeland, Florida. His
first professional singing was with the Sunny South Quartet.
He joined the Sunshine Boys and appeared on the jamboree
at Wheeling, WV; also, the WSB Barn Dance in Atlanta, Georgia.
While with the Sunshine Boys he appeared in several movies,
with such stars as Roy Rogers and Smiley Burnette. In 1954,
he joined the Blackwood Brothers. Upon joining the Blackwoods,
J.D. Became not only a famous bass singer but also wrote
hundreds of gospel song hits. He introduced the bus as a
mode of travel and when the Stamps worked with Elvis he
had purchased them their own tour bus for travel. J.D. introduced
backup musicians on stage, organized and managed the National
Quartet Convention and was as instrumental in forming the
Gospel Music Association and its official organ Good
News. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors
for GMA and manager of the Stamps Quartet. (source: Gospel
Music Hall of Fame)
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