Golden Gate Quartet
The Golden Gate Quartet is the most successful of all of the African-Americ… Read Full Bio ↴The Golden Gate Quartet is the most successful of all of the African-American gospel music groups who sang in the jubilee quartet style. Founded as the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet in Norfolk, Virginia in 1934 by A. C. "Eddie" Griffin, Robert "Peg" Ford, Henry Owens, and Bill Johnson, they began as a traditional jubilee quartet, combining the clever arrangements associated with barbershop quartets with rhythms borrowed from the blues and jazz.
The makeup of the group changed over the years, as some members were drafted during the war and new members were brought in to replace those who had retired or left to join other groups. William Langford joined the group when Griffin left in 1935 and Orlandus Wilson replaced Ford the same year. Clyde Riddick replaced Langford in 1938, Johnson left in 1948 to join "The Jubalaires" and Owens left the group later to become a preacher and solo artist. Riddick remained with the group until his retirement in 1995 and Wilson until his death in 1998.
The Gates had a broad repertoire of styles--from Owens' mournful, understated approach in songs such as Anyhow or Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name, to the group's highly syncopated arrangements in Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Like The Mills Brothers of popular music, they would often include vocal special effects in their songs, imitating train sounds in songs such as Golden Gate Gospel Train. Langford often sang lead, using his ability to range from baritone to falsetto, while Johnson narrated in a hip syncopated style that became the hallmark for the group. Wilson's bass served as the anchor for the group and Owens harmonized with Langford and Johnson.
They achieved regional fame through their radio program in Columbia, South Carolina in the 1930s. They became nationally popular after John Hammond presented them as part of the 1938 extravaganza From Spirituals to Swing in Carnegie Hall, which led to a nationwide radio program, appearances at Cafe Society in 1940 and the opportunity to sing at Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inauguration in 1941, becoming the first black musical group to sing at Constitution Hall. They continued to be popular during World War Two, making several appearances in Hollywood films and singing secular music, including some unique popular front songs such as Stalin Wasn't Stalling that mixed humor with political commentary.
The quartet lost their preeminent position in gospel music after the war, when they faced competition from the newer hard gospel quartets. They continued in their old style, offering sharper political commentary in songs such as God's Gonna Cut 'Em Down, but losing much of their audience to quartets such as the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Soul Stirrers. The Golden Gates revived their career in 1955, however, when they toured Europe for the first time, where they became widely popular. The group moved to Paris in 1959 and has continued touring, primarily in Europe, since then. During his stint in the US Army, in Germany, Elvis Presley, who a huge admirer of their work since his early childhood, visited them backstage at "Le Lido", in Paris, and stayed to watch their entire show, staying also with them at the hotel "Prince de Galles".
The Golden Gate Quartet has been inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998
The makeup of the group changed over the years, as some members were drafted during the war and new members were brought in to replace those who had retired or left to join other groups. William Langford joined the group when Griffin left in 1935 and Orlandus Wilson replaced Ford the same year. Clyde Riddick replaced Langford in 1938, Johnson left in 1948 to join "The Jubalaires" and Owens left the group later to become a preacher and solo artist. Riddick remained with the group until his retirement in 1995 and Wilson until his death in 1998.
The Gates had a broad repertoire of styles--from Owens' mournful, understated approach in songs such as Anyhow or Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name, to the group's highly syncopated arrangements in Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Like The Mills Brothers of popular music, they would often include vocal special effects in their songs, imitating train sounds in songs such as Golden Gate Gospel Train. Langford often sang lead, using his ability to range from baritone to falsetto, while Johnson narrated in a hip syncopated style that became the hallmark for the group. Wilson's bass served as the anchor for the group and Owens harmonized with Langford and Johnson.
They achieved regional fame through their radio program in Columbia, South Carolina in the 1930s. They became nationally popular after John Hammond presented them as part of the 1938 extravaganza From Spirituals to Swing in Carnegie Hall, which led to a nationwide radio program, appearances at Cafe Society in 1940 and the opportunity to sing at Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inauguration in 1941, becoming the first black musical group to sing at Constitution Hall. They continued to be popular during World War Two, making several appearances in Hollywood films and singing secular music, including some unique popular front songs such as Stalin Wasn't Stalling that mixed humor with political commentary.
The quartet lost their preeminent position in gospel music after the war, when they faced competition from the newer hard gospel quartets. They continued in their old style, offering sharper political commentary in songs such as God's Gonna Cut 'Em Down, but losing much of their audience to quartets such as the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Soul Stirrers. The Golden Gates revived their career in 1955, however, when they toured Europe for the first time, where they became widely popular. The group moved to Paris in 1959 and has continued touring, primarily in Europe, since then. During his stint in the US Army, in Germany, Elvis Presley, who a huge admirer of their work since his early childhood, visited them backstage at "Le Lido", in Paris, and stayed to watch their entire show, staying also with them at the hotel "Prince de Galles".
The Golden Gate Quartet has been inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998
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The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Alabama Bound I'm Alabama bound I'm Alabama bound And if the train don't t…
Atom and Evil รู้ฉันรู้ยังไงก็คงไม่ต่าง รู้ฉันรู้ยังไงเธอก็เลือกเขา รู้ถึง…
Baby Baby Baby You've seen him up and down the avenue And now he's…
Basin Street Blues Won't you come along with me To the Mississippi We'll take a…
Bones, Bones, Bones (Ezekiel In The Valley) Ezekiel saw the wheel, way up in the middle of…
Carolina In The Morning "Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina" Wishing is…
Cheer the Weary Traveler J'écris à la fois pour combler l'vide et pour évacuer…
Come On You went away I let you We broke the ties that bind I…
Comin Comin' in on a wing and a prayer Comin' in on…
Comin' in On a Wing and a Prayer Comin' in on a wing and a prayer Comin' in on…
Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer Comin' in on a wing and a prayer Comin' in on…
Deck the Halls Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la…
Didn't It Rain Didn't it rain children, talk about rain oh my Lord Didn't…
Dipsy Doodle The Dipsy Doodle's the thing to beware The Dipsy Doodle will…
Don't let go Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock (Don't let go, don't let…
Ezekiel Saw the Wheel Ezekiel saw the wheel rolling A great big wheel turning over…
Frankie and johnny Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts, Boy, how they could lov…
Go Down Moses John Elton Duets Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me Elton John…
Go Tell It On the Mountain Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go…
Go Where I Send Thee Children go where I send thee. How shall I send thee? I'm…
God Almighty's Gonna Cut You Down Rgthg ui Hutuuoioào Heioyehyiuiury è_-r (tttuj Uyf ghtyerzqr…
Golden Gate Gospel Train My Lord she blows Wah wah! Get on board Better get your tick…
Hallelujah I love her so Let me tell you 'bout a girl I know She…
He is Got The Whole World He's got the whole world in His hand He's got this…
Hit the Road to Dreamland Bye bye baby Time to hit the road to dreamland You're my…
Honey Pie She was a working girl North of England way Now she's hit…
Hush Someone told me if you live in a glass house You…
Hush! Someone told me if you live in a glass house You…
I Wanna Know Nobody knows the trouble I've seen Nobody knows but He knows…
I Will Be Home Again I will be home again Don't worry dear I'll be home again So…
I'm Alabama Bound I'm Alabama bound I'm Alabama bound And if the train don't t…
Joshua Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho Jericho Joshua fit …
Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho Joshua fit de battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho. Joshua fi…
Joshua Fit the Batlle of Jericho Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua f…
Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jeric Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho Jericho Joshua fit …
Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho Joshua fit de battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho. Joshua fi…
Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jerico Joshua fit the battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho Joshua f…
Mack The Knife Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear And it shows…
My Time Done Come Quando eu chego em casa nada me consola Você está sempre…
My Walking Stick Without my walking stick, I'd go insane I can't look my…
Nobody Know's the Trouble I've Seen Nobody knows the trouble I've seen Nobody knows but He knows…
Oh Happy Day Oh happy day (oh happy day) Oh happy day (oh…
Oh When The Saints Go Marching In Oh, when the saints, go marching in, Yes when the saints…
Ol' Man Mose Now one time there lived an old man With a very…
Old Man River Dere's an ol' man called de Mississippi Dat's de ol' man…
On The Sunny Side Of The Street Walked with no one and talked with no one And I…
Only You Only you can make this world seem right Only you can…
Peace in the Valley O, there will be peace in the valley for me,…
Pick a Bale of Cotton Great God Almighty gonna pick a bale of cotton Great God…
Preacher & The Bear The preacher went out a huntin', it was on one…
Rock Island Line Now this here's a story about the Rock Island Line Well…
Rock My Soul Rock my soul in the bosom of Abraham, rock my soul…
Roll Jordan Roll Well, now roll Jordan, roll (Why don't you?) Roll, Jordan,…
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Oh oh oh oh Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer Had a shiny nose…
Saint Go Marching In Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the…
Saint Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down, I…
Saint-Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down, I…
Saints Go Marchin' in Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the…
Saints Go Marching Home Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the…
Schwarzbraun ist die Haselnuss Schwarz-braun ist die Haselnuß, Schwarz-braun bin auch ich…
Shadrack The story of Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego! There was th…
Sixteen Tons Some people say man is made out of mud A poor…
St Louis Blues I hate to see that evening sun go down, I…
Stalin Wasn't Stallin' ROBERT WYATT New! Tap highlighted lyrics to add Meanings, Sp…
Stormy Weather Don't know why There's no sun up in the sky Stormy weather S…
Straighten Up And Fly Right The buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the…
Summer Rain Summer rain taps on my window West wind soft as…
Swing Low Sweet Chariot Swing Low, Sweet Chariot comin' for to carry me home I look'…
The Dock Of The Bay Sittin' in the mornin' sun I'll be sittin' when the evenin'…
The Preacher And The Bear The preacher went out a huntin', it was on one…
To The Rock Now this here's a story about the Rock Island Line Well…
Wade In the Water Wade in the water Wade in the water, children, Wade in the…
When The Saints Oh, when the saints, go marching in, Yes when the saints…
WhenThe Saints Go Marchin In Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the…
Yes Indeed Now, er, has you got it, sister Constance, er tell…
You Gave Me a Mountain Born in the heat of the desert My mother died givin'…