The definitive Afroamerican gospel group in the jubilee quartet style.
<… Read Full Bio ↴The definitive Afroamerican gospel group 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.
<… Read Full Bio ↴The definitive Afroamerican gospel group 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.
Summer Rain
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Summer rain taps on my window
West wind soft as a sweet dream
My love warm as the sunshine
Sittin' here by me, she's here by me
She stepped out on the rainbow
Golden hair shinin' like moonglow
Warm lips soft as a soul
Sittin' here by me, yeah, she's here by me
All summer long we spent dancin' in the sand
And the jukebox kept on playin' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
We sailed into the sunset
Drifted home caught by a gulf stream
Never gave a thought for tomorrow
Just let tomorrow be, let tomorrow be
She wants to live in the Rockies
She says that's where we'll find peace
Settle down, raise up a family
To call our own, yeah, we'll have a home
All summer long we spent groovin' in the sand
Everybody kept on playin' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
Winter snow drifts by my window
North wind blowin' like thunder
Our love's burnin' like fire
And she's here by me, yeah, she's here with me
Let tomorrow be
West wind soft as a sweet dream
My love warm as the sunshine
Sittin' here by me, she's here by me
She stepped out on the rainbow
Golden hair shinin' like moonglow
Warm lips soft as a soul
Sittin' here by me, yeah, she's here by me
And the jukebox kept on playin' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
We sailed into the sunset
Drifted home caught by a gulf stream
Never gave a thought for tomorrow
Just let tomorrow be, let tomorrow be
She wants to live in the Rockies
She says that's where we'll find peace
Settle down, raise up a family
To call our own, yeah, we'll have a home
All summer long we spent groovin' in the sand
Everybody kept on playin' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
Winter snow drifts by my window
North wind blowin' like thunder
Our love's burnin' like fire
And she's here by me, yeah, she's here with me
Let tomorrow be
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAN LOECHEL, ANDRE TANNEBERGER, RUEDIGER DITTMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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