The Imperials

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The Imperials
Origin	United States
Genre(s)	Southern Gospel Contemporary Christian
Years active	1964—present
Website	The Imperials Official Website
Members
Jason Morales Jeremie Hudson Shannon Smith Ian Owens
Former members
Jake Hess Gary McSpadden Armond Morales Sherrill (Shawn) Neilsen Henry Slaughter Jim Murray Joe Moscheo Terry Blackwood Roger Wiles Larry Gatlin Greg Gordon Sherman Andrus Russ Taff David Will Paul Smith Danny Ward Ron Hemby Jimmie Lee Sloas David Robertson Jason Beddoe Jonathan (Hildreth) Pierce Pam Morales Steven Ferguson Jeff Walker Steve Shapiro Barry Weeks Jason Hallcox Richie Crook

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 4 time Grammy winning American gospel music group and a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. They were founded in 1964 by Jake Hess and continue to perform today.

1 Formation
2 The Southern gospel years
3 Turning contemporary
4 Return to their roots
5 Awards and honors
6 Band Membership Over the Years
7 Discography
- 7.1 Compilations
- 7.2 Albums Done With Elvis Presley
8 Movies & Video
9 References
10 External links
11 Citations

[edit] Formation

The band had its genesis when long-time Statesmen Quartet member Jake Hess retired from that band on December 7, 1963.^[1] Hess wanted to start a new group recognized as "king" of the Southern gospel field and thought the "Imperials" would be a good moniker. After getting the go-ahead from Marion Snider (who had previously operated an Imperial Quartet named after its sponsor Imperial Sugar), he gathered together pianist Henry Slaughter from the Weatherford Quartet,ex-Oak Ridge Boys baritone Gary McSpadden, the Weatherford Quartet's bass singer Armond Morales and Speer Family tenor Sherrill (Shawn) Neilsen to join him.^[2] Signing with Benson Records subsidiary Skylite, the group had a busy first year releasing 4 albums in 1964.

[edit] The Southern gospel years

After 2 years with the group, tenor Niellsen was first to go and Jim Murray would replace him. Murray's past included stints with the Stamps Trio,Inspirationals, and Orrell Quartet.About this time, Slaughter also departed with Joe Moscheo of the Harmoneers replacing him at the keyboard. Health issues also forced Hess' to retire and McSpadden chose to leave as well. In 1967, the core of Murray, Morales and Moscheo took on little-known Roger Wiles (from family group the Melodaires) and ex-Stamps Quartet member Terry Blackwood.^[3]This new outfit proved even more successful than the first, racking up "Male Quartet of the Year" honors in 1969 from the Gospel Music Association^[4].

Rocker Elvis Presley had long harbored a love for gospel and Jake Hess in particular and invited them to tour as his backing vocalists. They joined him on the road from 1969-1972 and recorded two Gospel albums with him, including his final Grammy Award winning album He Touched Me. It was during this period that Wiles left in 1970 to be replaced by former member of The Downings Greg Gordon^[5]Gordon's addition would also signal the beginning of the group's musical shift as their live album of that year, Gospel's Alive and Well, would feature a cover of the Simon and Garfunkel pop hit "Bridge Over Troubled Water"^[6].

[edit] Turning contemporary

In 1971, the Jesus movement was beginning to marry music similar to mainstream pop and rock music with lyrics expressing a Christian message. The group took note of this development and began to flavor their more traditional music with contemporary flourishes. Time to Get it Together heralds this shift with its album cover which utilized the "One Way" symbol of the Jesus movement. The cover depicts a hand with index finger pointing skyward, which Jesus freaks used to mean "Personally knowing Jesus is the one way to achieve fellowship of God."

The Imperials surprised gospel music fans in February of 1972 by hiring Sherman Andrus, a former member of Andrae Crouch and the Disciples to replace Greg Gordon.^[7] The lineup of the group stayed stable with Andrus and Terry Blackwood sharing lead vocals through 1975 when Joe Moscheo left just after recording of Follow the Man with the Music. The following year, the pair themselves left to form contemporary Christian music act Andrus Blackwood and Company.^[8]

In Early 1976, the group hired baritone David Will, who would stay on for 23 years with the group, and soulful belter Russ Taff as their new lead vocalist. The Taff-led outfit is heard on the albums Sail On, Imperials Live,Heed the Call,One More Song for You,Christmas With the Imperials and Priority. Following the album, Taff left the group for a solo career and Paul Smith came on as his replacement, being first heard on 1982's Stand by the Power.

The group seemed to flounder a bit after that album recording first an album with each member taking a solo (Side by Side) and a one-off return to four part harmony singing (The Imperials Sing the Classics) before returning to their Christian pop sound on 1985's Let the Wind Blow.

The group saw its biggest turnover since Blackwood and Andrus' departure when both Smith and long-time tenor Jim Murray left the group. Smith opted for a solo CCM career while Murray sought to perform more traditionally styled gospel music again. Smith was replaced by Danny Ward but he left before recording an album with the band. In the end, Jimmie Lee Sloas and Ron Hemby were the new members bringing an infusion of youth into the group.

The Imperials stirred up controversy and lost many of their oldest fans when they exchanged the soft pop gospel music for a more contemporary pop/rock sound with prominent guitars for the 1987 album This Year's Model not unlike blue-eyed soul group Hall and Oates. The song Power of God became a theme song with for Christian bodybuilders The Power Team and much younger fans began to come to Imperials Concerts. The albums "Free The Fire" reverted a bit towards the soft pop sound and after its recording Sloas became the next Imperial to seek a solo career. David Robertson replaced him but following 1990's Love's Still Changing Hearts he himself opted to go solo with Jason Beddoe and Jonathan Hildreth (later known as Jonathan Pierce) joining the ranks.

In 1991, The Imperials would surprise fans again by bringing Armond’s sister Pam Morales in to the line up. Although she appeared with The Imperials in the early 80s as a backup singer, this would be the first time a female was a front member of the quartet. Long time Imp Armond Morales decided to bring her in when Beddoe left the group while in the midst of recording for Big God. She remained in the lineup through 1993's Stir it Up.

[edit] Return to their roots

In 1994 they decided to scale down their act, opting for simple accompaniment and more intimate church performances in lieu of stadium and large concerts. They signed a one project deal with the familiar Impact records, which had just been re-acquired by Homeland Records and Landmark Distribution. After a 3 year recording hiatus, the release of Til He Comes marked the change back to the classic Imperials sound, losing the hard edge of previous albums and helping restore their former fans to the fold.

In 1998 The Imperials were inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame. All five original members, Jake, Armond, Gary, Sherrill & Henry, as well as Terry Blackwood, Shermen Andrus, Joe Moscheo, Jim Murray and Russ Taff were all there to accept their induction.

In 2003, The five members of The Imperials that toured with Elvis reunited for a 25th Anniversary Elvis Lives concert and DVD recording.

In September of 2004, Armond Morales transferred ownership of The Imperials to the current lineup: Jason Morales, Jeremie Hudson, Ian Owens and Shannon Smith. This group has returned to a more traditional Gospel music sound, releasing two albums in 2007 and achieving their first top 20 song in more than 15 years. The current group has also performed at Carnegie Hall, the first time the Imperials ever appeared at that venue. In April 2008, The Imperials, latest project, "Back To The Roots" earned album of the year honors from SGN's largest online resource Sogospelnews.com.

[edit] Awards and honors

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 on their own, making the Imperials one of the most popular and respected bands in the history of Contemporary Christian Music.

Year	Album	Grammy Awards	Genre
1981	"Priority"	Best Gospel Performance Contemporary Or Inspirational	Gospel
1979	"Heed The Call"	Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary Or Inspirational	Gospel
1977	"Sail On"	Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary Or Inspirational	Gospel
1975	"No Shortage"	Best Gospel Performance (Other Than Soul Gospel)	Gospel

Year	GMA Dove Awards
1984	POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR for "Side By Side"
1983	GROUP OF THE YEAR
1982	POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR for "Priority"
1982	GROUP OF THE YEAR
1981	POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR "One More Song For You"
1981	ARTIST OF THE YEAR
1981	GROUP OF THE YEAR
1980	MALE GROUP OF THE YEAR
1978	MALE GROUP OF THE YEAR
1976	POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR for "No Shortage"
1976	MALE GROUP OF THE YEAR
1975	MALE GROUP OF THE YEAR
1969	MALE GROUP OF THE YEAR

[edit] Band Membership Over the Years

Jake Hess, Lead (1964-67) (Original Member)(died January 2004)
Gary McSpadden, Baritone (1964-67) (Original Member)(later joined the Bill Gaither Trio)
Armond Morales, Bass (1964-2004) (Original Member)(toured with Elvis)
Sherrill (Shawn) Neilsen, Tenor (1964-66) (Original Member)
Henry Slaughter, Pianist (1964-66) (Original Member)
Jim Murray, Tenor (1966-86) (toured with Elvis, later joined the Gaither Vocal Band for a short time.)
Joe Moscheo, Pianist (1966-75) (toured with Elvis)
Terry Blackwood, Lead (1967-76) (toured with Elvis)(formed Andrus, Blackwood & Company)
Roger Wiles, Baritone (1967-70) (toured with Elvis)
Larry Gatlin, Baritone (1970) (never recorded with the group)
Greg Gordon, Baritone (1970-71)
Sherman Andrus, Baritone (1971-76) (original member of Andrae Crouch & The Disciples)(later formed Andrus, Blackwood & CO)
Randy Coryell, Pianist (1975-77) (also recorded solo album with Word Records)
Russ Taff, Lead (1976-81) (Grammy Award Winning Soloist and later joined the Gaither Vocal Band for a short time)
David Will, Baritone (1976-99)
Paul Smith, Lead (1981-85)
Danny Ward, Lead (1985-86) (never recorded with the group)
Ron Hemby, Tenor (1986-90) (later a member of country group The Buffalo Club)
Jimmie Lee Sloas, Lead (1986-89) (went on to produce bands like Whitecross and other legendary Christian Rock Artists)
David Robertson, Lead (1989-90)
Jason Beddoe, Tenor (1990) (was recorded on the album When Things Get Electric)
Jonathan (Hildreth) Pierce, Lead (1990-93)(later joined the Gaither Vocal Band for a short time.)
Pam Morales, Tenor (1991-93) (victim of a fatal car crash in Bakersfield, CA in 2005)^[9]
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

1964 Jake Hess & The Imperials (Skylite)
1964 Introducing The Illustrious Imperials (HeartWarming/Benson)
1964 Fireside Hymns (HeartWarming/Benson)
1964 Blends & Rhythms (HeartWarming/Benson)
1965 Talent Times Five (HeartWarming/Benson)
1965 Slaughter Writes - Imperials Sing (HeartWarming/Benson)
1965 Happy Sounds of The Imperials (HeartWarming/Benson)
1965 He Was a Preachin Man (HeartWarming/Benson)
1965 Slightly Regal (HeartWarming/Benson)
1966 Sing Their Favorite Hymns (HeartWarming/Benson)
1966 Sing Inspirational Classics (Impact/Benson)
1966 To Sing Is the Thing (Impact/Benson)
1967 New Dimensions (Impact/Benson)
1968 Now (Impact/Benson)
1969 Love Is the Thing (Impact/Benson)
1970 Gospel's Alive and Well (Impact/Benson)
1971 Time to Get it Together (Impact/Benson)
1972 Imperials (Impact/Benson)
1973 Imperials LIVE (Impact/Benson)
1974 Follow the Man with the Music (Impact/Benson)
1975 No Shortage (Impact/Benson)
1976 Just Because (Impact/Benson)
1977 Sail On (Dayspring/Word)
1978 Imperials LIVE (Dayspring/Word)
1979 Heed the Call (Dayspring/Word)
1979 One More Song for You (Dayspring/Word)
1980 Priority (Dayspring/Word)
1980 Christmas with the Imperials (Dayspring/Word)
1982 Stand By the Power (Dayspring/Word)
1983 Side By Side (Dayspring/Word)
1984 Sing The Classics (Dayspring/Word)
1985 Let the Wind Blow (Myrrh/Word)
1987 This Year's Model (Myrrh/Word)
1988 Free the Fire (Myrrh/Word)
1990 Love's Still Changing Hearts (StarSong)
1991 Big God (StarSong)
1992 Stir it Up (StarSong)
1995 Til He Comes (impact/Homeland)
1997 It's Still the Cross (Big God Records)
1998 Songs of Christmas (Big God Records)
2002 I Was Made for This (Big God Records)
2006 The Lost Album (Word) *originally recorded in 1976
2007 The Imperials (Indie/Lamon Records)
2007 Back To The Roots (Indie)

[edit] Compilations

1970 Believe It (Vista)
1972 The Imperials 1968-1972 (Impact/Benson)
1973 A Thing Called Love (Vista)
1977 The Best of the Imperials (Impact/Benson)
1979 The Imperials – Featuring Terry and Sherman (Impact/Benson)
1981 The Very Best of The Imperials (Dayspring/Word)
1982 First Day In Heaven (Impact/Benson)
1986 Old Fashioned Faith (Dayspring/Word)
1989 20 Favorites By The Imperials (Benson)
1992 Masters of Gospel (RiverSong/Benson)
1994 Treasures (StarSong)
1996 The Imperials – Legacy 1977-1988 (Word)
1998 Gospel Music Hall of Fame 1964-1976 (Benson)
2006 The Imperials - Classic Hits (New Haven/Provident)
2007 The Definitive Collection (Word/Warner)

[edit] Albums Done With Elvis Presley

1966 How Great Thou Art (RCA)
1969 ELVIS At The International (RCA)
1970 On Stage (RCA)
1970 Thats The Way It Is LIVE (RCA)
1972 He Touched Me (RCA)

[edit] Movies & Video

1970 ELVIS PRESLEY - Thats The Way It Is (MGM) (Armond, Jim, Joe, Terry & Roger)
1984 The Imperials 20th Anniversary (Myrrh/Word) (Armond, Jim, Dave & Paul)
2003 ELVIS LIVES 25th Anniversary Concert (Armond, Jim, Joe, Terry, Roger & Sherman)

[edit] References

.Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music; Powell; pp 46, 47; Hendrickson Publishers; Pap/Cdr edition (August 2002) ISBN-10: 1565636791 ISBN-13: 978-1565636798