The Imperials
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- This article is about the Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music group The Imperials. For information on the doo wop group, see Little Anthony & the Imperials.
The Imperials are a hugely successful American gospel music group. They were founded in 1964 by Armond Morales and Jake Hess, and have since that time undergone many personnel and stylistic changes. Over the years, 25 different singers have come and gone, including such legends as Russ Taff, Paul Smith, and Gary McSpadden. The current Imperials lineup includes Jason Morales (Armond's son) with Jeremie Hudson, Shannon Smith and Ian Owens.
Over the years, the Imperials have released over 40 albums and had 14 number one songs. They have also won four Grammy Awards and 13 Dove Awards, making the Imperials one of the most popular and respected bands in the history of Contemporary Christian Music.
In 1987, they stirred up controversy and lost many of their oldest fans when they exchanged gospel to adopt a harder rock/techno/pop sound with the album This Year's Model. The subsequent albums Stir It Up and Love's Still Changing Hearts continued in the same vein.
The band have lately scaled down their act, opting for simple accompaniment and more intimate church performances in lieu of stadium and large concerts. Subsequent albums such as Til He Comes lost the hard edge of earlier albums, and their oldest fans slowly returned.
In 2004, Armond stepped aside and transferred the group to the current lineup: Jason Morales, Jeremie Hudson,Ian Owens and Shannon Smith. They have returned to the more traditional, gospel music sound. Like many classic music groups, copy-cat bands have appeared calling themselves The Imperials or other versions of the name. However, the current group retains the copyright to the name and history of the group.
[edit] GROUP MEMBERS
The Imperials - Complete List of Group Members
- Jake Hess, Lead (1964-67)
- Gary McSpadden, Baritone (1964-67)
- Armond Morales, Bass (1964-2004)
- Sherrill Neilsen, Tenor (1964-66)
- Henry Slaughter, Pianist (1964-66)
- Jim Murray, Tenor (1966-86)
- Joe Moscheo, Pianist (1966-75)
- Terry Blackwood, Lead (1967-76)
- Roger Wiles, Baritone (1967-70)
- Greg Gordon, Baritone (1970-71)
- Sherman Andrus, Baritone (1971-76)
- Russ Taff, Lead (1976-81)
- David Will, Baritone (1976-99)
- Paul Smith, Lead (1981-85)
- Danny Ward, Lead (1985-86)
- Ron Hemby, Tenor (1986-90)
- Jimmie Lee Sloas, Lead (1986-89)
- David Robertson, Lead (1989-90)
- Jason Beddoe, Tenor (1990)
- Jonathan (Hildreth) Pierce, Lead (1990-93)
- Pam Morales, Tenor (1991-93)
- Steven Ferguson, Tenor (1994-99)
- Jeff Walker, Lead (1994-96)
- Steve Shapiro, Lead (1996-98)
- Barry Weeks, Lead (1998-99)
- Jeremie Hudson, Tenor (1999-present)
- Jason Hallcox, Lead (1999-2000)
- Jason Morales, Baritone (1999-present)
- Richie Crook, Lead (2000-02)
- Shannon Smith, Lead (2002-present)
- Ian Owens, Bass (2004-present)
[edit] Discography
- Jake Hess & The Imperials (1964)
- Introducing The Illustrious Imperials (1964)
- Fireside Hymns (1964)
- Blends & Rhythms (1964)
- Talent Times Five (1965)
- Slaughter Writes - Imperials Sing (1965)
- Happy Sounds of The Imperials (1965)
- He Was a Preachin Man (1965)
- Slightly Regal (1965)
- Sing Their Favorite Hymns (1966)
- Sing Inspirational Classics (1966)
- To Sing is the Thing (1966)
- New Dimensions (1966)
- Now (1968)
- Love Is the Thing(1969)
- Gospel's Alive and Well (1970)
- Time to Get it Together (1970)
- The Imperials (1972)
- The Imerials LIVE "1968 - 1972" (1973)
- Follow the Man with the Music (1974)
- No Shortage (1975)
- Just Because (1976)
- The Lost Album (1977/2006)
- Sail On (1977)
- LIVE (1978)
- Heed The Call (1979)
- One More Song for You (1979)
- Priority (1980)
- Christmas with The Imperials (1980)
- Stand By the Power (1982)
- Side By Side (1983)
- Sing The Classics (1984)
- Let the Wind Blow (1985)
- This Year's Model (1987)
- Free the Fire (1988)
- Love's Still Changing Hearts (1990)
- Big God (1991)
- Masters of Gospel (1992)
- Stir it Up (1992)
- 'Til He Comes (1995)
- It's Still the Cross (1997)
- Songs of Christmas (1998)
- Gospel Music Hall of Fame (1998)
- I Was Made for This (2002)
- The Imperials (2006)
