How Did The Imperials Change Christian Music?
- Betty Dunn Contributing Writer
- Updated Apr 04, 2024
Did you know that decades before the Contemporary Christian Music genre appeared, The Imperials sang on two gospel albums with none other than Elvis Presley? Elvis produced the two Grammy-winning albums and toured with The Imperials in the late 1960s. This is no surprise to those who know that Elvis loved gospel music.
Originally a gospel quartet, The Imperials evolved into one of the first contemporary Christian musical groups. With four Grammy Awards and 13 Dove Awards so far across multiple iterations, The Imperials is one of the most popular Christian bands of all time. From the group’s strong start in the 1960s and into the 1970s and 1980s, The Imperials left a lasting mark in the music world.
For the past 60 years, The Imperials have been respected for their musical performances and personal integrity. Their songs have carried the gospel’s message of traditional Christian values while reaching a wide audience of listeners.
Are The Imperials a Christian Music Band?
The Imperials led a change in American culture, particularly changes in church worship services.
When they started, Elvis and other popular musicians like Johnny Cash had become well-known for singing gospel music. Gospel later influenced the new genre of rock and roll, which worked its way into the church.
In the late 1960s and 1970s, a revival led to the Jesus Movement—young people exploring Christianity and starting churches. Their fashions (casual dress instead of formal wear for Sundays, rock and roll music instead of hymns) affected the churches they started. Young musicians used their worship songs as a platform to evangelize, and the new music gradually infiltrated traditional church settings. A steady diet of hymns gave way to a mix of hymns and a new genre called Contemporary Christian Music, influenced by folk, rock and roll, blues, and gospel.
While Contemporary Christian Music developed into its own industry and musicians in that market often called themselves “Christian musicians,” The Imperials have generally avoided getting too caught up in the labels. Former Imperials lead singer Paul Smith commented, “we’re not as much concerned with our role in the history of Christian music or contemporary music in general. We were more concerned about putting this project together for the impact it would have on people. Past or present, changing lives is still what The Classic Imperials are all about.” Another member, Rick Evans, observed that The Imperials had fans who “might not normally listen to Christian music.”
While their gospel message remains the same, The Imperials continued to perform various music: gospel quartet classics, hymns, inspirational songs, original tunes, spirituals, and anything in between. The group’s concerts often lasted two hours, a much longer show than had been done by other gospel quartets. Their audiences appreciate the group’s music and their morals clause, which affirms that they have “lived what they sang.”
When Did The Imperials Start Their Music Career?
Jake Hess left the Statesmen Quartet in 1963 to form The Imperials in Atlanta, Georgia. There are two versions of how he gave The Imperials their name. Either Hess wanted the new group to be “king” of southern gospel, or the name was taken from a former sponsor, the Imperial Sugar Company.
Hess’s new group combined the talents of pianist Henry Slaughter, bass singer Armond Morales, baritone Gary McSpadden, and tenor Sherrill “Shaun” Neilsen. After signing with Benson Records in 1964, the group recorded their first album, Jake Hess & The Imperials. Although Slaughter had left the group by 1965—The Imperials would have 18 singers over the years—they maintained their status as a leader in gospel and Contemporary Christian Music for the next 60 years.
Who Are Some Famous Former Members of the Imperials?
As mentioned above, The Imperials have an extensive list of past and present members. Some are just as well-known for their other ventures as for their work with the band.
Gary McSpadden (1943-2020) performed with The Imperials from 1964 to 1967. He was a well-known and respected singer, pastor, songwriter, record producer, television host, and motivational speaker. Most notably, he became a popular co-host of the PTL Club television program after Jim Bakker resigned. He performed with several other bands, including Statesmen Quartet">the Statesmen, The Oak Ridge Boys, and The Bill Gaither Trio.
Russell Taff, a Grammy-winning American gospel singer and songwriter from California, performed with The Imperials from 1976 to 1981, belting out vocals for a total of 34 songs across seven albums. He then had a successful solo career in various musical genres, including southern gospel, pop rock, rhythm and blues, and country.
Paul Smith joined The Imperials after Taff moved on. He appeared on the 1982 album Stand by the Power. Smith is also on the Dove Award-winning album Side by Side, a collection of solos by each Imperial member. During the 1980s, Smith appeared on The Imperials Sing the Classics and Let the Wind Blow.
Jonathan Pierce (1967-2020) joined The Imperials from 1990 to 1993 after Naomi Judd heard Pierce sing at her church and introduced him to the group. Pierce appeared on the albums Big God and Stir It Up. He moved on to spend three years performing with the Gaither Vocal Band. Pierce received much acclaim throughout his career. For example, in 1999, Piece was nominated for five Dove Awards, including Song of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.
How Have the Imperials Stayed Relevant in Christian Music?
A key part of The Imperials’ longevity is their willingness to embrace changing music styles and lineups.
When The Imperials started recording in 1963, Slaughter wrote and arranged music suited to their “all-star” voices. The Imperials were immediately recognized as a leading group in gospel music. As John Crenshaw put in a profile for SoGospelNews.com, “There wasn’t a weak link in the chain, neither vocally or instrumentally.”
In 1967, new members Roger Wiles and Terry Blackwood helped create The Imperials’ more contemporary sound. Their 1969 album, New Dimensions, won the Imperials their first Dove Award.
The group changed some of its repertoire when Contemporary Christian Music came along. They adopted the outer trappings of the Jesus Movement while performing songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” “Teach Your Children,” and “Joy to the World” with long hair and hip clothing. In 1973, they added instrumentals to their soundtracks and recorded an album with the group Solid Rock.
The Imperials kept evolving musically in the 1980s, with original bass singer Armond Morales at the helm. For nearly forty years, he directed their musical movement.
After winning four Dove Awards and two Grammy Awards, they were inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2008. The Imperials broke up shortly afterward, but earlier members reunited as the Classic Imperials and continued recording new music, including the 2010 album Still Standing and the 2024 EP Blessed.
How Did The Imperials Innovate Christian Music?
While a frequently changing lineup may be confusing, it has helped The Imperials break new ground. In 1972, The Imperials hired Sherman Andrus from Andre Crouch and the Disciples, becoming the first interracial quartet in gospel music. When they moved former backup singer Pam Morales—the sister of Imperials’ longtime member Armond Morales—to the front in 1991, they became the first gospel quartet to have a female lead singer.
They’ve also achieved some impressive records:
- First group to have a number-one song simultaneously on the contemporary, inspirational, and southern gospel charts, when they released “Oh Buddha” in 1979.
- Only Christian recording group to have a number-one song in four consecutive decades (the 1960s to the 1990s).
- First gospel group to perform live on a Grammy Award program.
- First recipient of Dove Awards for Best Male Group (1969) and Artist of the Year (1981).
Best Albums by The Imperials
The sheer volume of their work—over 40 albums and 14 number-one songs—makes it difficult to choose a favorite or best album. A few albums are particularly worth checking out.
New Dimensions from 1968 has upbeat melodies with beautiful, harmonic voices. Time To Get It Together has a lively, early 1970s sound. After their soft rock song sound of the 1970s to early 1980s, the group returned to their gospel quartet sound in the 1990s with much success. In 2008, their classic gospel style on Back to the Roots earned them the Southern Gospel News Awards’ Album of the Year.
Of course, there are compilation albums that give fans a variety of music across multiple albums. One fan, Keith Prater, commented, “The music they produced from about 1975 to 1981 is still, in my opinion, the best Christian music ever produced by anyone. My Imperials Legacy CD is my most treasured CD.”
Another compilation album, The Very Best of The Imperials, reached number two on Billboard’s Best Selling Inspirational LPs in 1982.
The Imperials have gone where no other gospel quartet has gone with great success. While the original group may have ended, its vision continues with the new iteration. A Christian Today review of Still Standing quotes Smith on what the band looks like today: “The Classic Imperials remain genuinely determined to uplift listeners as a dynamic vocal and musical group. This batch of songs is real and relevant, which is meant to appeal to those who’ve walked with us before, plus newer and younger fans.”
The group’s songs crossed over to pop music and country music listeners outside the church, with messages that addressed a complicated world. This is similar to how Jesus preached to people; He spoke to them using everyday images (sowing seeds, working for wages). They would understand and bless and heal people with his love and grace. There was a beautiful simplicity to His message that reached people. The Imperials communicated musically in the same way.
Further Reading:
How Did Sandi Patty Change and Surprise Christian Music?
What Is the Spiritual Importance of Music for Christians?
Why Did Leslie Phillips Leave Christian Music?
20 Great Books on Christian Music
Why Did Christian Music Forget Michael Been and The Call?
Why Do Christians Sing Praise and Worship Songs?
Photo Credit: ©Flickr/ruthdaniel3444
