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. Gospel music refers to the religious music that first came out of African-American churches in the first quarter of the twentieth century or, more loosely, to both black gospel music and to the religious music composed and sung by predominately white Southern Gospel artists. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Jake Hess was a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer in the southern United States. ... Russ Taff (born November 11, 1953) is an American gospel singer. ... Paul Smith may refer to: In music: Paul Smith (music industry), British record label manager and art event producer Paul Smith (pianist) (born 1922), Los Angeles jazz pianist Paul Smith (singer), British Indie Rock In television: Paul Smith (Television) (born 1959), Executive for British childrens television Paul Smith (writer... Shannon Smith (1985-1999) was a teenager from Phoenix, Arizona, who was killed by a stray bullet. ...

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. Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music... The Dove Awards, created in 1969 by the Gospel Music Association to honor the outstanding achievements in contemporary Christian and gospel music, are held annually in Nashville, Tennessee. ... Contemporary Christian Music (or CCM) is a genre of popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith. ...

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. 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rock is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars, and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles, however saxophones have been omitted from newer subgenres of rock music since the 90s. ... Techno is a form of electronic dance music that became prominent in Detroit, Michigan (some argue that it may have been born in Europe) during the mid-1980s with influences from Chicago House, electro, New Wave, Funk and futuristic fiction themes that were prevalent and relative to modern culture during... For popular music (music produced commercially rather than art or folk music), see Popular music. ...

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 or variations of the name. Unfortunately some of these groups include old members of The Imperials itself. However, the current group retains the copyright to the name and history of the group. This current group has just released a new CD and have plans to record a southern gospel favorites CD in 2007.

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) (later a member of country group The Buffalo Club)
• 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)

Jake Hess was a Grammy Award-winning gospel singer in the southern United States. ... Russ Taff (born November 11, 1953) is an American gospel singer. ... Paul Smith may refer to: In music: Paul Smith (music industry), British record label manager and art event producer Paul Smith (pianist) (born 1922), Los Angeles jazz pianist Paul Smith (singer), British Indie Rock In television: Paul Smith (Television) (born 1959), Executive for British childrens television Paul Smith (writer... Buffalo Club was a short-lived country music band from the late 90s. ...

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 (2007)

External link

• Official site