Biography of The Soul Stirrers

A legendary gospel group known best for introducing Sam Cooke's mellifluous voice to the world, the Soul Stirrers were tremendously influential on the Black gospel scene from the mid-'30s on. Formed in Texas in 1927, the group soon moved their base of operations to Chicago and recorded for the Library of Congress in 1936. A year later, they added lead tenor R.H. Harris, whose advanced concept of modern gospel harmony included alternating leads between two singers, and they became one of the nation's top gospel acts from the '40s on. Harris was replaced by Cooke in 1950, and the charismatic young singer led the group to new heights on Specialty Records through 1956. When Cooke left to go pop, he was succeeded by Jonnie Taylor, later to experience soul hitdom himself. Jimmy Outler and James Phelps also handled front work for a time, and by the mid 60s, when they were signed to Chess, Willie Rogers and Martin Jacox traded leads. A quarter-century later, Rogers and Jacox still lead the active group. ~ Bill Dahl