The group formed in 1948, with members Bill Matthews (first teno… Read Full Bio ↴Members
The group formed in 1948, with members Bill Matthews (first tenor), Bob Hubbard (second tenor/lead), Bill's brother Monty Matthews (baritone), Culley Holt (bass), and pianist Bob Money. After three years, Money was replaced by new pianist Gordon Stoker. This lineup lasted until 1952; at that time, Bob Hubbard was drafted and was replaced by Hoyt Hawkins. Later that year, Monty and Bill Matthews left. Hawkins switched to baritone, and new lead Neal Matthews, Jr. was recruited. Don Bruce came in as a new first tenor; however, he was drafted the next year. The group narrowed to a quartet, with Stoker taking over as first tenor.
The lineup changed again in 1954, with Cully Holt leaving and new bass Hugh Jarrett (later a disc jockey) coming in. Jarrett remained until 1958; at that time, he was replaced by Ray Walker. This lineup, consisting of Gordon Stoker, first tenor and manager, Neal Matthews, Jr., second tenor and lead, Hoyt Hawkins, baritone, and Ray Walker, bass, would be the group's most stable lineup, lasting throughout the 1960s and 70s.
The group changed again in 1982, when Hoyt Hawkins died. His replacement was Duane West, formerly of Sonny James' backup group, the Southern Gentlemen. The lineup remained constant for another two decades, with West leaving due to illness in 1999 (he died in 2002). His replacement was Louis Nunley.
Neal Matthews died the next year. He was replaced by new lead Curtis Young.
Hugh Jarrett died at 78 on May 31, 2008, from injuries sustained in an auto accident in March.
With Elvis Presley
One Sunday afternoon in 1955, the Jordanaires played a show in Memphis with Eddy Arnold to publicize their new syndicated TV series Eddy Arnold Time (on the program the group used the name Gordonaires). They sang "Peace In The Valley," and when the show was over, a young man, blond, quiet and courteous, with plenty of combed-back hair, came backstage to meet them. He was Elvis Presley, a practically unheard of singer just getting his start in the area. There were a few polite exchanges, then Presley said, "If I ever get a recording contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up." [1] He was on Sun Records at that time.
On January 10, 1956, Elvis recorded his first session for RCA with Scotty, Bill and D. J.. That day, "I Got A Woman", "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Money Honey" were recorded. True to his word, Elvis asked his new label RCA Victor if The Jordanaires could appear on the recordings. The next day Gordon Stoker was called by Chet Atkins to do a session with a new kid, named Elvis. RCA had also just signed "The Speer Family". Chet asked Gordon to sing with Ben and Brock Speer so he could use them. On that day, "I'm Counting On You" and "I Was The One" made history by being the first recording session that Elvis did with vocal background. By April 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel" was No. 1.
After having done several more recording sessions in New York with Scotty, Bill and D. J., Elvis flew to Nashville on April 14, 1956, to record "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You". Gordon was called again, to sing a vocal trio with Ben and Brock. After the session, Elvis took Gordon aside and told him (not knowing, at the time, why all the Jordanaires were not there) that he had wanted "The Jordanaires." This time, Stoker saw to it - and Elvis used the Jordanaires on nearly every one of his recording sessions for the next 14 years. At a time when no backing musicians, producers, or engineers received a name recognition on any records, Elvis insisted[citation needed] that he have "with the Jordanaires" on the label of his records. The reflected glory was enough to earn the Jordanaires "Group of the Year" awards well into the Beatles era.
They also appeared in Elvis' movies, and on many of his landmark television appearances.
Musical influence
The Jordanaires have been one of country music's premier backup vocal groups, working with artists such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Horton, Ferlin Husky, Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dolly Parton, Red Foley, Jim Reeves, Willie Nelson, and George Jones. They also served as backup vocalists for pop music artists such as Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Connie Francis and Julie Andrews.
They are best known across the world as the backup vocalists for a number of Elvis Presley's hit singles, with whom they performed for more than fifteen years and backed up on well over 100 different songs (singles and album cuts, on television and in a number of films). In addition to singing backup for other musicians, the group toured extensively around the world plus they recorded a number of music albums on their own, They continue to record: "On The Jericho Road", A Friend We Have in Jesus and others.
Special Guests
The Jordainaires have been appreciated by a whole new generation and performed with many modern recording artists as well as recent sessions with Country music legends.
Appear on multiple tracks of Johnny Cash's 1978 album I Would Like To See You Again.
They sang the harmonies on Ringo Starr's second album, Beaucoups of Blues.
The Jordanaires also provided vocal support for Ricky Nelson on "Poor Little Fool," "Lonesome Town," "It's Late," and other hit recordings.
The Jordanaires appear on the second album by The Grascals, on the song "Did You Forget God Today?"
Sung with The Tractors (of Steve Ripley)
In 1996. they lent their vocal talents to the Ween album, 12 Golden Country Greats.
In 1997, they sang Who'll Be The One If Not Me for the off-Broadway musical Violet.
In 2007, they recorded "Save Your Dreams" by Americana artist Shark (Wild Colonials)
In 2006 & 2007 they are featured on Park Lane Drive Records. Friends of Henry Golis Wish You A Merry Christmas with The Jordanaires & Henry Golis Presents Good Music With Friends featuring The Jordanaires.
Awards
Grammy Award in the category of Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Album.
Special awards from RCA for contributions Elvis Presley's Recordings
Nashville Music Association Masters Award
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences award for having sung on more, top-ten recordings than any other group.
Members of world famous Grand Ole Opry for 13 years.
Recognized for eight years, by readers of England's Record Mirror and New Musical Express magazines as one of the world's top ten vocal groups.
inducted, in 1998, into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
inducted, in 1998, into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
inducted, in 1999, into the NACMAI Hall Of Fame (North America Country Music Associations International).
inducted, in 2000, into the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.
inducted, in 2004, into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
inducted,in 2007 into the Southern Legends Entertainment & Performing Arts Hall of Fame
inducted in 2007 into the "Christian Music Hall Of Fame"
Gordon Stoker-inducted in 2006 into the "SOUTHERN GOSPEL PIANO ROLL OF HONOR"**
Heartbreak Hotel
The Jordanaires Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I found a new place to dwell
Well it's down at the end of Lonely Street
That's Heartbreak Hotel, where I'll be
I'll be just so lonely baby,
Well I'm so lonely,
I'll be so lonely I could die.
Although it's always crowded,
You still can find some room
For broken hearted lovers
To cry there in the gloom, and be so
They'll be just so lonely baby
They'll be just so lonely,
Well they're so lonely they could die.
Now, the bell hop's tears keep flowin',
And the desk clerk's dressed in black.
Well they've been so long on Lonely Street
They'll never, never look back, and they'll be
They'll be just so lonely, baby
Well they're so lonely
Well they're so lonely they could die.
Well now, if your baby leaves you,
You've got a tale to tell.
Well just take a walk down Lonely Street
To Heartbreak Hotel, where you will be
You'll be so lonely baby,
Well you'll be lonely,
You'll be so lonely you could die.
Although it's always crowded,
You still can find some room.
For broken hearted lovers
To cry there in the gloom, and be so
They'll be just so lonely baby
Well they're so lonely,
Well they're so lonely they could die
"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song originally performed by Elvis Presley, but The Jordanaires provided the harmonies that helped make it one of his most famous tracks. The song is about the pain of heartbreak and the feeling of loneliness that comes with it. The opening verse depicts the singer's heartbreak and how he has found a new place to dwell in Lonely Street's Heartbreak Hotel. The song's chorus conveys how profoundly lonely the singer feels, expressing that he could die.
The lyrics go on to describe the Heartbreak Hotel as a venue where there's always some room for the broken hearted people to cry in the gloom with the bellhop and desk clerk both in black for mourning. It is a place where others' stories of heartaches pour through the corridors with a sense of consensus in commiseration. The song's conclusion invites the listener to take a walk down Lonely Street to "Heartbreak Hotel" should their beloved abandon them, and thus they will understand the depth of heartbreak and loneliness.
Line by Line Meaning
Well since my baby left me
Ever since my significant other departed from my life
Well I found a new place to dwell
I have discovered a new location to reside
Well it's down at the end of Lonely Street
This place is situated at the concluding part of a desolate road
That's Heartbreak Hotel, where I'll be
This establishment is known as Heartbreak Hotel, and it will be my place of stay
I'll be just so lonely baby,
I will be very forlorn, my sweetheart
Well I'm so lonely,
I am extremely lonely
I'll be so lonely I could die.
I will be so lonely that it could lead to my death.
Although it's always crowded,
Despite its constant busyness
You still can find some room
One may still find an available space
For broken hearted lovers
Especially for romantics who are dejected
To cry there in the gloom, and be so
To cry in the dim surroundings and be as such
They'll be just so lonely baby
They will be exceedingly desolate, my dear
They'll be just so lonely,
They will be extremely lonely
Well they're so lonely they could die.
They are so lonely that it could be fatal.
Now, the bell hop's tears keep flowin',
Currently, the bellhop has a continuous outpour of tears
And the desk clerk's dressed in black.
The receptionist is attired in black.
Well they've been so long on Lonely Street
Both the bellhop and receptionist have spent a considerable period of time on the road of loneliness
They'll never, never look back, and they'll be
They will not turn back and will be as such
They'll be just so lonely, baby
They will be exceedingly desolate, my dear
Well they're so lonely
They are extremely lonely
Well they're so lonely they could die.
They are so lonely that it could be fatal.
Well now, if your baby leaves you,
If your significant other abandons you
You've got a tale to tell.
You would have a story to recount.
Well just take a walk down Lonely Street
Simply take a stroll on the road of loneliness
To Heartbreak Hotel, where you will be
To Heartbreak Hotel, the place you will stay
You'll be so lonely baby,
You will be so desolate, my love
Well you'll be lonely,
You will be lonely
You'll be so lonely you could die.
You would be so lonely that it could lead to your death.
Although it's always crowded,
Despite its constant busyness
You still can find some room.
You can still find an available space.
For broken hearted lovers
Especially for romantics who are dejected
To cry there in the gloom, and be so
To cry in the dim surroundings and be as such
They'll be just so lonely baby
They will be exceedingly desolate, my dear
Well, they're so lonely,
They are extremely lonely
Well, they're so lonely they could die.
They are so lonely that it could be fatal.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Elvis Aaron Presley, Mae Boren Axton, Thomas R. Durden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind